A good lapidarist can always find their own faults in their work.
A good Buddhist can always see their own faults not others.
A good lapidarist can take in people's criticism so that they can improve their work.
A good Buddhist can take in people's criticism so that they can improve their practice.
No matter how ordinary a piece of stone is, a good lapidarist can turn it into a precious gem.
No matter how ignorant a person can be, a good teacher can lead them on the path to enlightenment.
It doesn't matter whether it is a precious gem or an ordinary stone once it is in your hand, you should treat it as precious as it can be.
A good lapidarist should treat each of their work as serious as can be.
A good Buddhist should treasure each duyen (faffinity) as no tomorrow.
No matter how sharp or rough a stone is, slowly with time under a turning wheel it will become smooth and round as it can be.
No matter how much defilements/bad habits we have, with time and consistent practice we will become a better happy person.
You cannot be a lapidarist master in 5 minutes. You have to learn it step by step under a good teacher's guidance.
The turning wheel or tumbler will smoothen any rough surface.
Sila (precepts) and samadhi (mindfulness) are just like the turning wheel, these will smoothen our craving, hatred and ignorance.
Lapidary is like meditation. You are fully aware the surface of the stone, the turning wheel and your hands. Without your full awareness you might chip off your finger nails or damage your stone.
A person is just like a rough piece of stone. It is full of sharp edges (ego) and covered with dirt (defilements). With good lapidary (Sila/precepts, samadhi/mindfulness and panna/wisdom) a stone will turn into a gem (a liberated happy person).
The harder you push your stone into the polishing wheel, the quicker it flicks out and as a result you will break your stone. You have to be slow, rolled, gentle and gentle to the wheel and your stone. The result will be brilliant if you are patient and gentle.
