Search for Truth

CHAPTER 17

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CHAPTER 17

Ha! Ha!

A word with the Master is worth more than gold. Each

Teaching has its meaning and man must learn from it.

All possibilities have been made in order for man to find

his Way. Sad to see, many are being pulled back into the

plane of sufferings. Having difficulty to see and with the

dust covering his eyes, man does not really know what pulls

him back.

CHE FATT

Controlling all desires of greed

Hopping into the right ship

Even as one boards it

Facing the gravity that pulls him back

A person who cannot control his own desires

Taking on the task that pulls him down again

Trying hard to achieve, emptiness one must feel.

One tries to seek his way across the desirous sea. As

one begins his journey, he does not know how many pirate

ships that sail in this sea. One minute he sinks and the

next he floats. Floating and sinking seem to be the daily

affairs. Killing the strongly felt desires, one may

even float on reed. Floating on reed is the speciality

of the Venerable One. Perhaps the Kind Venerable can open

our students' eyes.

BODHIDARMA

Bringing all downfalls, 'desire' is the word

Onto the inner battle, conquer all

Deeds of the past as experience to the present

Holding onto the right thoughts, one must learn

In a dream-like stage, one searches for the Truth

Duration may be long but worth its while

Arise now and begin the joy of searching

Remain in a calm stage and recall all deeds

Much is the work of desires that man cannot escape f

Arrange for the practice of inner stillness and you

To all those who are trying to cultivate, how much have

you done? Though charitable deeds are being performed,

is this the right search? AH starting points must begin

from the heart. With genuineness, things will work.

People who serve mankind practise humanity but to what

extent is their work? If desires are not overcome, their

search is still far off. The worst desire of man is greed

for which many have died. Wealth and fame are like the

passing clouds which if only man can learn to forego and

live a simple life, his heart will feel lighter. Throughout

man's life, his eyes are opened by the greedy desires.

Extinguish this thought and there will be no need to fight.

Fighting over some un-plotted land, what will man get in the

end? Do not pretend that all things are impermanent unless

you have truly realized. For if one has not realized then

he is merely cheating himself. However, if one says that

he has really realized, then his every action will tell.

DESIRE

Desires is the greatest enemy of the cultivating man

Enemy builds up within one's own self

Surely the fire of desire can be diminished

In doing so, endurance is the word that helps

Rough sea and high mountain should not block you

Erect the right tower and in it, one searches.

Ha! Ha!

Erecting the tower is easier said than done

Red sea has not blocked its student's way

In enduring, know the hard work

Seeking to put out the fire, determined must be the heart

Enemies often prove to be the closest one

Drag on no more but begin your work.

Ha! Ha!

One often talks of the power within the cultivating

one. What is this power and by what is it built of?

Since the power is within, it must be only meant for one.

In such a lonely state of mind, how can one search on?

CHE FATT

Chasing round the comer

Hoping to teach all beings

Erasing all thought of unworthiness

Facts are facts but not written ones

A word is spoken from the heart

Toying with the most suitable words

Turn back, for the Shore awaits your return.

Ha! Ha!

TRUTH

Trying to realize, inner perception one must possess

Reasoning among your thoughts, Truth you may tell

Usual teachings are written by the millions

Taking the 'heart teaching', passing on by One

Holder of Truth will spread the word.

Your own true self dwells in this Tower of Truth in which

much teaching it contains. People who seek this Tower need

not go to faraway land. Vast may be the land but all are

equal. Why search from one place to another when you are

ready standing at the bottom of this Tower? Good and evil

come from one place, dwelling in the same place and fighting

for a place to stand. From this little 'dot', all things grow

from it. Nourish it well for the growth will benefit man. Let

it sway and it will create trouble. Do not look down on this

little 'dot'. Once in expands, it covers all land. Little does

man realize its importance. Therefore, cover it well and hide

it deep. Just like the Sun, when being covered by the clouds,

its shine is not great. Clear the clouds away and the sunshine

is seen over all land. Polish it well and polish it with care

to allow the brilliance to shine through.

Bags of silver and gold

Only appear and disappear

Dramatic it may seem

Health is worth more than gold

Illness created for no reason

Dealing with it, man does not know

A part gone with no replacement in sight

Remaining in a dreamy sick land

Making for the Search to find

A life time is gone and you do not know why.

Ha! Ha!

Everyone knows that sickness is a ‘passing thing'.

No one can predict it and no one can prevent it. When

he 'call' comes, people fight for time, thinking that

all things are advanced and with money things will turn

out well.

Ha! Ha!

Think in a simple way. Simple ye«t complex is the thought

of man. All things have their reasons and all have their

cause and effect. Sickness that is minor will not calm man

and serious illness man fear of its appearance. If man

fears this, seek its prevention before it starts. A lot

of sicknesses can be cured on the surface yet the 'root'

still remain. To cure any disease, the root must be taken

out. All men must face death but it depends on how bravely

one faces it. When one examines a disease, seek its

starting place. From this, proceed to work on it and

look for the right herbs that cure.

CHE FATT INNER SELF

Calamities faced by man

Hoping to go through

Entering into its Gate

Facing it with strength instead

A root is the growth of all things

Taking off the root and none will grow

Trying hard to pull it off, right one seeks.

Ha! Ha!

Inner sickness one sees not

Nothing is seen, nothing is done

Notorious is the thought

Erase the desire fast

Remedy, seek perfectness

Seeking to cultivate well

Expand not the inner thought

Looking at the root that grows

Failure to keep track, other things grow.

For a person who is searching the Truth, the way

is hard. Things seem to sink to, their bottom. To try

to float again, one must find the reason for the sinking.

Things do not just simply appear and disappear. Neither

do they simply sink nor float. All things have their

reasons. Get to the bottom and you will find the root.

For when one gets to the root, all cures may be seen.

Just like you see a wealthy man, instead of envying and

hoping to reach the same stage, first find out how did he

get rich. Then work for it as he had done. But remember,

all things must come in their natural form and one must

not force himself, for it will give rise to side-effects.

Not all men are the same. Their destinies are in their own

hand. Work for the right thing with the right method and

you will be happy. He who is satisfied with whatever he

possesses, will feel happy throughout. He who is not

satisfied will have greediness roams his mind.

PATH

Peace he will not get

A seeker of the Way pays very little for the possess

Thinking of the worldly beings, he should try his be

Humans should learn humanity and in it they learn th

If humans do not possess humanity, the journey will still

be very far. Walking this road is like walking among the

wild beasts. Dangerous is the journey and one must be firm.

Let the Essence and the Vitality combine into one and by

doing so, one may concentrate well in facing forces from

all directions. Essence and Vitality in man are the most

precious possessions. If man loses them, life will be lost

too.

BODHIDARMA CHE FATT

Bringing peace to all land

Opting to walk on

Dragging on, one must still move

Heeding to the needs of man

Irresistible is the cry that howls

Drinking not to the sad call

A step guided to help all

Reliance on the teachings taught

Moving as the Decree calls for

Aiming only to save all

Credit to the work of all

Hold on strongly to the 'door'

Erect the ship that saves

Future working depends on all

A thousand words are spoken

Track the teaching that leads

Tramp not on the work that teaches.

In life, man seeks things in the wrong way, moves

in the wrong direction and guards the wrong 'door'.

All work and teachings of the ABOVE pass onto man,

hoping that he will save one another but sad to note

that none have done so. Sincerity and loyalty, where

have they gone? Knowing yet no performing, then what

is the use of knowing? Man of wisdom, turn up and pull

yourself together in order that you may lead. Seek not

merits but hope that there is no wrong deed. Merits

that can be seen are no merits at all, for they are

merely staged as a show. As the Great Venerable has said,

all things must come from the heart. In helping others,

once the work has been completed, put it out of your

thought. Be sincere in every action and guard the right

'door'. For a cultivating person, he guards the mouth as

the first door. Speak only the right thing at the right

time and be sure that it is a constructive talk. To the

speaker, words are spoken lightly but to the listener he

may think otherwise. If one does not have a bit of

endurance, how can one guard his first door? Being a man

who cultivates, take in only the constructive teachings

but leave out the idle talk. Idle talk does not benefit

anyone. Why waste your breath in doing so? Use your breath

for better purposes and speak on things that will help mankind.

Ha! Ha!

Train to serve with sincerity

Treat all men alike

Awaken to the Great Truth

Fasten to the teachings that teach

Erase all the bad thoughts

Hold on tight to guard the doors

Change not as the weather.

Ha! Ha!