Man's nature

Man’s nature is like a dense thicket that has no entrance and is difficult to penetrate. In comparison, the nature of an animal is much easier to understand. Still, we can in a general way classify the nature of man according to four outstanding differences. 

 

First, there are those who, because of wrong teachings, practice austerities (harsh/strict/severe activities) and cause themselves to suffer. Second, there are those who, by cruelty, by stealing, by killing or by other unkind acts, cause others to suffer . Third, there are those who, cause other people to suffer along with themselves.

Fourth, there are those, who do not suffer themselves and save others from suffering. These peopleof the last category, by following the teachings of Buddha, do not give way to greed, anger or foolishness, but live peaceful lives of kindness and wisdom without killing or stealing.

There are three kinds of people in the world. The first are those who are like letters carved on rocks; they easily give way to anger and retain their angry thoughts quickly pass away.

The third are those who are like letters written on running water; they do not retain their passing thoughts, they let abuse and uncomfortable gossip pass by unnoticed; their minds are always pure and undisturbed.  

Rivira