Wait a Moment 等一等 from Collection of Rain Blossoms

Hold back your impulses. Image: Shutterstock.

In this world, there will always be people who stir up trouble, take advantage when others are struggling, and harm others just to help themselves. If we’re not careful, they can cloud our judgment, and before we know it, we’ve taken a wrong step. That’s why we need three important skills: to know right from wrong, to tell what will help from what will harm, and to see clearly what is good and what is bad. It sounds simple, but it is not easy—and not everyone holds this kind of wisdom.

So when something happens, do not rush. Remember the little phrase, “wait a moment.” That small pause is like a breath of still water—it gives you the space to think clearly and act with care. In moments when emotions rise like a tide, if you can just stop for a breath, you’ll find you can hold yourself back. Before long, the waters will clear, and you will be spared a serious mistake.

As the saying goes, “There will come a day when murky water turns clear.” If you can wait for that day, your temper will cool, and patience will rise like the dawn. Nothing in life lasts forever, and no lamp burns without end. That is why time is such a faithful test. Wait a little, and the truth will come forth. False appearances, especially, cannot endure the touch of time; they soon show their true face.

So do not cling too tightly, and do not let anger take root in your heart. Hold “wait a moment” close, like a quiet companion, and you will see more clearly. This is the gentle secret to patience.

等一等

雨花集

濟公活佛

世間上不少人專門搬弄是非，趁火打劫，損人利己。假使一時大意，給他弄昏頭腦，就不堪設想了。因此一個人必先要有明是非，辨利害，察善惡之三種力量。但說來容易做來難，不是人人有此智力。所以就要出到三字真言「等一等」來應付。

凡事在極度衝動時，如果能夠等一等，便能按捺得住。不些時，事情便會清楚，就不會鑄成大錯。

「濁水終有澄清的一日」，因此等到濁水一澄，火氣便消，忍字便出頭來。世事無永遠之局，無不盡之燈。故時間就是一個絕好之考驗，等一等便真相出來。尤其是一種假相，更當不起等一等之淘汰，便露出真形。

一切不住念，不動嗔，時時抱著等一等，看清楚一點，乃忍字之秘法也。

This translated text is a chapter from Collection of Rain Blossoms, a scripture written by JiGong Living Buddha in the 1900s through spirit writing. Here the link to the original Chinese source.

If you are interested in other chapters of this book, here is the link to the table of contents.