Monthly Inspiration

The Beauty of Applause

By Ven. Master Hsing Yun

When the sound of applause is heard, the world becomes so beautiful! With applause, the views of different people merge into one. Their emotions are similar and their hearts are purified. So many wonderful things happen during applause!

There are many things that win the applause of others: a lecture at a podium, a speech at a meeting, or a good deed on the street. Completing a difficult job, saying beautiful words that touch others' hearts, or just being respectful all deserve applause. When we praise others for their honorable acts, admire others for their achievements, and take joy in others' good fortune, we applaud. Where there is applause, there is peace in the world, and it is beautiful!

Have we ever received the applause of others? If so, have we thanked them with our smiles and returned their applause with respect? Have we made a vow to improve the world to repay those who applauded? Have we thought of doing better to show our gratitude for their applause? We should not seek the applause of others; if we contribute what we can, applause will come naturally!

Besides applause, a salute, a bow, praise, faith, and role-modeling are just as valuable. We applaud when we talk about the Buddha breaking the caste system and promoting equality between the four social classes, when we speak about Confucius never tiring of teaching and learning, and when we think about Daoist Zhuang Zhou being carefree and relaxed. We admire and applaud the compassion and non-violent resistance of Mahatma Gandhi in his pursuit of world peace, the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, as well as countless other historical figures for their heroic acts and honorable deeds.

People live for applause throughout their lives. As children, we win the applause of grownups with our smiles and childish talk. In school, we gain the applause of our parents and teachers with our achievements. When we work hard at our careers and contribute to the community, we can then win society's applause.

Some win the applause of listeners with their singing while others win the applause of observers with their painting. Some may even win the applause of an entire nation with their high productivity in manufacturing. In addition, they can also win the applause of their fellow citizens by practicing compassion and generosity and by caring for the poor and needy. Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, Mother Teresa, Pope John Paul II, the Dalai Lama, and Venerable Zhengyan all have won the applause of many with their compassion and generosity.

So, dear readers, if you want to win the applause of others, you must work hard. You should first applaud others, then naturally you will win theirs in return.