Master Jian Dan was invited to give a talk at the English Dharma Group, Jade Buddha Temple, exploring what freedom means in Buddhism.
Master introduced the three levels of freedom – personal, relationship, and environment. In order to achieve personal freedom, we need to be awakened from our wondering thoughts and attachments. When our mind is like a mirror that reflects indiscriminately of the truth presenting, we have eradicated our afflictions and attachments and therefore achieving personal freedom. For cultivating better relationship, we need to be flexible, as illustrated by the story of the little river (please refer to this talk about the story). When your mind is awaken, you know when and how to change your current form – attitude and intention – to better fit the present situation. Lastly, Master referred to the concept of Pure Land where people are in harmony with everyone else, with animals, and with the environment. The concept of Pure Land is that of harmony, in the present moment. In order to achieve the ultimate level of freedom, we have to start from ourselves, therefore the practice of meditation.
Meditation helps us see our mind more clearly. We can observe and detect its change; we are more aware of its current state. Through continued practice, we control our emotion instead of letting our emotion controls us. Some Q&A followed.
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