CHAPTER FIVE HOW HOMEMAKERS CAN CULTIVATE THE BODHISATTVA WAY IN EVERYDAY LIFE It must be very tiresome to do the same kind of work everyday, and especially for homemakers. It seems as if one cannot be free from household chores for a single day, and many are greatly troubled by their duties. However, if we can learn to change our way of looking at things, we will be able to perform our chores with great joy.
Much of the problem is that ordinary people are very much attached to the “self”. They think, “ I am doing all this work; poor me, I am so tired; why should I do this for the?” The more they think this way, the more afflicted they become. If we were to learn the Bodhisattva Way, the Way of Understanding and Enlightenment, and vow to universally help all living beings, then our viewpoint would be much different.
In following the Bodhisattva Path, the first thing we learn is the Practice of Giving. By serving the family at home, the homemaker Bodhisattva is already cultivating Giving. Giving includes the Giving of Wealth, the Giving of Teaching and the Giving of Fearlessness. The Giving of Wealth can be divided into outer wealth and inner wealth. For example, outer wealth refers to making money for our family and providing the means for living. Inner wealth refers to using our physical energy and wisdom to support our family. So, the practice of giving can be completed perfectly at home.
When we do our housework with care and organize our home to be clean and neat, this is bringing comfort to the family and admiration from our neighbours; this is cultivating the Practice of Precept Observation. Abiding by precepts simply means abiding by rules – rules of the country, society and family, and doing everything in an organized and proper way. Endurance in doing our chores without complaint or fatigue is cultivating the Practice of Patience. In seeking improvement everyday, hoping that tomorrow's attainment will exceed that of today's, is cultivating the Practice of Diligence. In performing one's various duties daily but still maintaining a pure and undeluded heart, is cultivating the Practice of Concentration in Purity of Mind, being apart from discriminating thoughts and attachments. From within purity of mind, one will give rise to wisdom, and will be filed with inner peace and happiness, this is cultivating the Practice of Wisdom. Thus, with true understanding, we will discover that these Six Principles Cultivated by Bodhisattvas (Giving, Precepts Observation, Patience, Diligence, Concentration in Purity of Mind and Wisdom) can be practiced to perfection in the everyday acts of dusting, sweeping, washing and cooking.
Once we have performed our duties well, we become role models for homemakers all over the world and an example for all families to follow. Thus, not only can be help our neighbours, but extended, we can influence society, the country, and even the world in a positive way. From this we come to see that in dusting, sweeping, washing, and cooking, a homemaker Bodhisattva is actually carrying out the great vow of helping all living beings. This is truly being a student of the Buddha. So, if we can contemplate our duties as described above, we will be filled with peace and happiness in our work. How then could anything trouble us?
The most important factor in learning and cultivating the Buddha's teachings is that one be able to practice them in everyday life. Understanding this, we would be able to practice the Six Principles Cultivated by Bodhisattvas at our work and office. A Bodhisattva, in all walks of life, whether appearing as a man, woman, elder, or child, cultivates by living up to his/her own responsibilities. Cultivation and living are one – this is the life of enlightened beings.
