慈濟傳播人文志業基金會

The Illustrated Jing Si Aphorisms

Translated by E E Ho and W.L. Rathje; drawings by Tsai Chih-chung; coloring by May E. Gu

The Buddha says:

In this world, if even a tiny speck of dirt on a fingernail could last forever, then the principles that I teach would not hold true.

However, in this whole wide world, even the tiniest speck of dirt will change or vanish. Therefore, the dharma can completely put an end to all suffering.

Is it possible that the three lower realms of the Six Realms of Reincarnation exist in our own world?

If a human passes through life idly without caring about anyone else, then what is the difference between that and the Realm of Animals? If a human’s mind is filled with desires and he argues over every little thing, then it is like the Realm of the Asuras, who are always fighting. If a human is never satisfied and always wants more, that is like the Realm of Hungry Ghosts. Therefore, even in the Realm of Humans, there are sufferings like those in the lower realms. If we can use our lives in this world to practice the Way of the Bodhisattvas and do our best to help others, then we will realize the value of being born as human beings.