How can we prevent our emotions from being affected by the environment?

　　Question: I have read a lot of Buddhist philosophy and have some understanding of the Four Dharma Seals.But when I am criticized and stressed at work, these principles are sometimes not useful. How can I prevent my emotions from being affected too much by the environment?

　　Sodaji KB: Usually when you are criticized by leaders or abused by others at work, you can treat it as a kind of empty valley sound. This is in "Unreal Rest" and the teachings of Master Atisha. [1]All are discussed in this.

　　Or, you can also regard other people's abuse as a language to praise yourself, which is also a state of mind.In the past, in front of Sakyamuni Buddha, some people praised him and slandered him, but the Buddha treated all his praise and criticism equally and would not be painful by the environment.

　　Especially if you cannot complete all the "Entering the Bodhisattva's Practice", it is also very good to learn the "Part 1 of Pratyekabuddha".Many foreign masters often talk about only one "Part 1 of the Practice" when they talk about the "Entering the Path of Practice".If you can learn the content here, you can tolerate any kind of pain or unfair treatment you encounter in the future.In this world full of five desires and six dusts, you will also live a happier life.

　　At the same time, I hope that if you study Buddhism, you cannot just stay in terms of name and appearance.Although some people are Buddhists, they do not practice much about the principles of Buddhism, which is unreasonable.If you want to be a Buddhist, you still have to have some essence, not completely empty space.

　　If you want to practice Buddhism, you should start practicing it from the preliminary practices such as taking refuge and making aspiration. Only when these simple methods are practiced can you practice profound methods be safer.However, many people are not like this now. They have to seek advanced Dharma first and then enter simple Dharma, just like studying for a doctorate first and then going to elementary school. The order has been wrong.

　　[1] In the "Bodhisattva's Treasures", Master Atisha said: "If you hear something unpleasant, you should look like the sound of an empty valley.”