THE IMPORTANCE OF REVERING THE BODHISATTVAS
Caller: A fellow Buddhist practitioner had the following revelation when reciting the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance:
‘Paying respect to the Buddhas’ statues and respectfully making offerings on the Buddhist altar is an ingenious method to curb one’s arrogance. There are people who have the financial means but are not willing to spend much on fruits or incense burners. This is in itself a form of arrogance.
The compassion of the Bodhisattva is not to be treated in wilful disregard. We need to treat the Bodhisattvas with reverence. The same applies to how you treat your Master. Just because he is amiable and approachable, doesn’t mean that you need not pay attention when you interact with him. This is one cultivation method towards the elimination of arrogance.’
Please enlighten us, Master.
Master Jun Hong Lu: This is absolutely right. It sounds like something that comes from either a high-ranking Dharma Protector or a Bodhisattva. It is definitely correct and full of wisdom.
Did you know that when you respectfully change the water on your Buddhist altar, when you are so careful that you do not allow a single drop of water to spill or you take utmost care in changing the flowers, with this kind of sentiment towards Bodhisattva, you are already on the Bodhisattva’s path.
For instance, do you think a chairman of a company will do this? He would be so conceited with his wealth and status. Hence, he will not show any reverence for Bodhisattva. On the other hand, a poor person will earnestly pray to the Bodhisattva, and with utmost reverence, he will go, “O Bodhisattva! Please bless and protect me!” From this example, clearly, those who venerate the Bodhisattvas are able to rid themselves of arrogance.
Source: Wenda20160304 14:35, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
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