How to Avoid the Mind Being Defiled by Phenomena

When we face conflicts and disputes, or the faults of others, and cannot empty ourselves of or avoid these states, and must resolve these human matters—what should we do? We should engage in contemplative practice (vipaśyanā-caryā) on the illusory and unreal nature of the states of human affairs, contemplating that all dharmas are without self, without persons, without sentient beings, and without the marks of events. If one must speak of human affairs, it should only be at the level of the mind consciousness, making an objective evaluation, resolving matters in an accordant and reasonable manner, while the mind remains undisturbed—not being dragged along by the plots and details of human affairs, trapped within them and unable to extricate oneself. Otherwise, one will lose all power of awareness and vigilance; the mark of self, the mark of others, the mark of sentient beings, and the mark of events will all manifest, and one will grasp them as real. The mind becomes defiled by the marks of events, and the defiled karmic seeds are stored in one's own tathāgatagarbha, with the retributive results to be personally experienced in future lives—an outcome where the loss far outweighs the gain.

How could there be any wise person who stores the faults of others within their own mind, defiling their own field of practice, burdening future lives, and never attaining purity? When seeing the faults of others, turn the light inward and reflect upon one's own mind; do not blame others while failing to blame oneself. Whoever cultivates the path, it is for that person to resolve; who can cultivate in another's place, accomplish attainment on another's behalf, while bearing the karmic results oneself? There is no such principle!