Cultivating Righteousness
by Master Lee Feng San Shifu
Translated by Sophia Lui
Edited by Ric Meyers
Bicycles were popular when I was studying in school, so there were many cases of bicycle thefts. Once, I was walking outside with a few friends and saw a bicycle lying on the side of the road. I walked over and straightened it. At that time, someone immediately said to me, “Hey, you must not help. People will see that and say you are stealing a bike.”
I have two ways of looking at such a situation. First, I have had a strong sense of justice since I was young and like to help out when I see injustice. This temperament remains with me. When dealing honestly with things, one should not be furtive or hesitant. Once we hesitate, any subsequent action will lose its conviction.
My manner is always straightforward and full of honest energy. When I see a problem to be corrected, I do not even think about it. In this case, I picked up the bike with no other thought other than to do the right thing. If we act according to our inner voice, we cannot go far wrong.
Second, I have been practicing martial arts since I was young. I would say, “Who dares accuse me of stealing a bike?” Then, in jest, “Well, let’s see.” My temperament has always been peaceful. If we do not harbor ill intentions, there is no need to fear.
There is a saying, “One right can dispel a hundred evils.” Of course, in this world, bad is not necessarily bad nor is good necessarily good. Often our goodness does not sufficiently measure up, but neither does our badness. Therefore, if our goodness does not make the grade, how can we deal with evil? There is no way.
Hence, we must intensify our efforts to train our minds and bodies — to cultivate a sense of righteousness, and be a good, honest person.
“Intensify our efforts to train mind and body and cultivate a sense of righteousness.”
— Lee Feng San Shifu
