HOW TO HANDLE OTHERS’ SHORTCOMINGS

Master Jun Hong Lu’s
Public Talk, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
December 24, 2016

Question: As our Buddhism learning and practice deepen, we tend to be more aware of our own and other people’s shortcomings. While we work hard to overcome our own shortcomings, however, we might also expect others to be of a higher standard and no longer see them as kind as we thought they were. Unconsciously, we start to see them in a negative light and may even result in the developing contentious relationships. Master Lu, may I ask if this shows that our cultivation has strayed from the right path? How can we restrain and overcome such a criticizing mentality towards the others?

Answer: When you perform recitation of scriptures diligently, at a certain point of time, your state of mind will be elevated and you will indeed start to notice many more shortcomings of the others. 
Just like me, the minute I meet someone, I can see through all of his shortcomings. However, you are a Bodhisattva, a Buddhist cultivator. 
You have to love people despite their faults. Just like a parent who sees the faults of the child, you would have to continue to help the child to allow him to progress but not to despise him. This is the right mentality. Having this mentality will develop your sense of equanimity. 
They are like your brothers and sisters. “It is alright that they have some faults. I have my own sets of faults too in the past. Now that I have made some improvements, all the more I should help them overcome their faults too. By doing so all of us would be free of faults.”

Translated by Oriental Radio Practice Centre (Singapore)
Proofread by 2OR Secretariat