BK154 The Auro of Wisdom/C1 Arrogance

According to the doctrines of Vajrayana Buddhism, the vajra master [called “lama” in Tibetan Buddhism and “guru” in Sanskrit] embodies the Three Jewels of the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.

He represents Vajrasattva in transmitting the teachings. Hence, the vajra master is very precious and all Vajrayana practitioners must perform a full body prostration before him.

However, with regard to such prostration, some people may feel that the vajra master is promoting the worship of personality, and in so doing, elevating himself above others; this can easily result in the master becoming arrogant.

This is the arrogance of being egotistical and looking down on others.

In my view, this is not likely to happen, as I feel that the act of prostration can actually overcome arrogance. My thoughts are: When a Vajrayana practitioner prostrates before a master, the practitioner’s ego is being subdued.

And when a master prostrates before his or her root guru, the master’s sense of pride is being subdued.

Likewise, when the root guru prostrates before the lineage gurus, the root guru’s ego is being subdued.

Hence the sequence in True Buddha School: the Vajrayana practitioner prostrates before the master, the master prostrates before myself, and I in turn prostrate before my master, [such as] Vajra Master Thubten Dargye.

I may be Living Buddha Lian-sheng, Sheng-yen Lu, the manifestation of Padmakumara, who is a manifestation of Amitabha Buddha.

Nonetheless, it matters little what sort of divine manifestation you are, for you must still prostrate before your guru when you meet him. Thus, regardless of how great your spiritual attainment is, you must kneel and prostrate before your vajra master. The practitioner must first subdue his or her own ego.

Shakyamuni Buddha once said, “If ego is not removed, then even if you have some achievement in meditation, you shall certainly become an Asura King or a Mara King.”

True Buddha practitioners, please keep this in mind: if you overcome your ego, you are a buddha; if you remain proud and egotistical, you are a mara.