A truly beneficial friend 真正的益友

Robot Monk Xian'er

A truly beneficial friend

In order to make a truly beneficial friend who dare to give you critical advice, one has to have a big heart. The law of related karma applies here, too. One need to put in great efforts to cultivate one’s own virtue, to aspire for virtuous friends, and to be modest and eager for learning. Then, gradually, virtuous friends would gather around you.

On the contrary, if you are arrogant and always be little people around you, you won’t be able to recognize virtuous friends even if they stand right before your eyes.

To cultivate for our spiritual growth, we need not just good friends but beneficial friends. A truly beneficial friend is someone who helps us with our spiritual growth instead of being a refuge of emotions and a listener of our painful stories.

真正的益友
欲得忠言逆耳之益友，
当有虚怀若谷之心胸，
这也是业感缘起的道理。
归根到底还是从自己身心上努力，
发希求善士之愿，
努力培养谦虚、好学之德，
渐渐就能感召善友。
反过来，若总是觉得
身边的人都不如自己，贡高我慢，
即使善友就在眼前也不认识。
修行，要有“益友”而不仅是“好友”。
真正的益友，是能够帮助自己成长的朋友，
而不是一个情感的依赖处、烦恼的安慰者。