Cherish When the Bond Arises, Bless When It Ceases

📖Master’s Reading

Many people's suffering comes from being unwilling to accept the fact of "the bond ceasing." In truth, every meeting in life is only a stretch of borrowed time. The nature of worldly relationship is that everything has a start and a landing; arising and ceasing are but returning to the origin. Before forming this bond, the two were strangers unknown to each other; when the bond is used up and they regard each other as strangers, they naturally return to the original point of not knowing each other.

Yet we always suffer in "parting from loved ones," forgetting that what we like will one day surely leave. We often feel wild joy when the bond arises and unbearable pain when it ceases, even love turning to hate. Facing all bonds in life, we must refine the ease and wisdom to "take up and set down — with a bond, cherish it well; without a bond, bless each other."

True completeness was never gripping and not letting go. Facing gain and loss, hold the open attitude of "to gain is my fortune, cherish it well; to lose is my lot." Since the bond is used up, better to turn the thought into sincere blessing — only then is this connection truly complete; if resentment arises, it is not complete and even ties an evil bond for the future. Accompany sincerely when the bond arises, part calmly when it ceases, and face gain and loss with blessing rather than force and ill will. To be grateful for the other's appearance amid gathering and parting, and to smile and wave goodbye, is life's most mature great wisdom.

🌱Reflection for Daily Life

• Cherish the meeting; bless the parting.
• Understand that the bond ceasing is only returning to the origin.
• When the bond is used up, do not force it, and tie no evil bond.
• Facing the bond, take it up, and also set it down.
• Cherish well when the bond arises; bless when it ceases.