The fundamental guarantees for any human being can be summarized simply:
- Generosity (Dana) guarantees that you will not be poor.
- Morality (Sila) guarantees that you will be reborn as a human.
- Meditation (Bhavana) guarantees that you will not be ignorant (unwise).
As for the extent of your wealth, whether you possess the physical perfection of a great being, how healthy or attractive you are, or the depth of your wisdom—all of this depends on your own diligence and discipline in practicing generosity, observing precepts, and cultivating meditation.
The design of your future life is in your hands. Having been born into a Buddhist era, you must establish these three standards within yourself. Otherwise, the rare opportunity of having encountered the Buddha’s teachings will have been wasted.
April 26th, 2014
