Contributing to Others

   In World of Chan, Master Sheng Yen has remarked "Whatever most people receive in life, they don't think it's enough; whereas, when they contribute a little bit, they feel they've given a great deal". Several things come to mind as I read this article. The first is that I too have not done enough in this life to contribute to other beings. I might think that what I have done counts on a certain level, but that is just a thought. There are innumerable beings out there, and what one person recognizes as success or contribution may not be recognized by anyone else. At the end of the day, who is to say that one has contributed "enough"? This, to me, is an exhortation to work harder and not make any excuses to not carry out any task. Even something that I am completely unfamiliar with should be accepted as a challenge and a responsibility, particularly if its aim is to aid all sentient beings. There is no such thing as a "limit" to what people can do, except for the limits that a person imagines or conjures up in their minds.

  The second is about letting go of the self or the ego, which always wants to take credit for things that is not necessarily its own doing at all. Many people contribute to one event or situation happening. When I don't feel "recognized" by others, this is only a fact of life that I am only one part in a totality that includes all sentient beings. So this craving for recognition or "desserts" for efforts undertaken is just an illusory view which is based on a mistaken view of the self. The self alone does not contribute very much to the totality of all sentient beings. It too is only one of many selves. And, again, going back to my first paragraph, even what I perceive as a good may not be seen by others as good at all. Good intentions may sometimes lead to harmful or unwise actions, or even tactless actions. So. again, I think it's important to cultivate the attitude that nothing is ever "good enough" and there is no such thing as "good enough". These are only illusory ideas that people create in their minds to "measure" their own value.

All of this attitude can contribute to a more diligent orientation to my own life and an attitude of "saying yes to everything", so far as it benefits communities or sentient beings. I take this as a fresh start: as we transition to a new presidency in 2020 at DDM Toronto, I hope to contribute a whole lot more than the little that I have. I take this sincere repentance as a promise to myself and others.