Wenda20150109 01:17:07
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
WHAT’S MOST CHALLENGING IS FOR ONE TO BEAR PRAISES
Master Jun Hong Lu: ….if someone scolds or slanders you, you are able to practise tolerance. What about if they sing your praises? What’s most challenging is for one to bear praises.
When this happens, you have to understand that everything in this world is illusory and unreal. Regardless of whether they are scolding or praising you, take it as if they are not true statements and you will not give rise to non-equanimity in your mind.
The problem with people is that when they are praised, they will go into a state of immeasurable self-satisfaction. Just like me today, so many people are praising me because of my Dharma propagation efforts. If I am not propagating the Dharma, I am just an insignificant radio station master; I am nobody.
Therefore, one should always be in touch with one’s Buddha nature. Do not indulge in self-satisfaction or feel that we are superior when others praise us.
What is there to be proud of? You are just a human. You are still doing so many unwholesome deeds every single day; your mind contains so many unwholesome thoughts; your body stinks, from your body to your mind – do you still believe that you are superior?
Hence, even when we are being praised, we should learn to restrain ourselves. We should think to ourselves “I have not done enough; I must put in even more effort. I am not worthy of praises”.
Just like when people comment that your face resembles Bodhisattva, does that mean you are one? You are nothing if not for the light of Buddha that is shining on you!
A person who propagates Buddhism should never be arrogant or self-righteous. You have to think lowly of yourselves and that you are insignificant. Only then you will not be arrogant and you will not give rise to in equanimity. There is nothing to be proud of, really. So what if you are Napoleon or Julius Caesar?
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