The Aura of Wisdom By Living Buddha Sheng-yen
Lu This was translated from Grandmaster Lu's 154th book, 智慧的光環. CHAPTER 13 - Spiritual Authentication A person who just took refuge in Tantric Buddhism decided to put on a Pandita hat and Dharma robe, and took a photo of himself. He sent the photo to me and asked that I confer on him the title of the XX throne holder. I asked him, `Why did you do this?` He replied, `I have been unemployed for some time and decided that I could make a career of being a throne holder.` I asked, `What are the Four Tantras of Tantric Buddhism?` He could not answer. So I asked again, `The Four Tantras, being Kriya (Action), Charya (Performance), Yoga and Annutarayoga (Highest Yoga Tantra), require verification at each stage of accomplishment. Have you received authentication?` He appeared lost, and asked me what exactly was authentication. Let me state this clearly to all of you. In practising the sadhanas of Tantric Buddhism, you must cultivate them in progressive stages. 1) You need to seek out a vajra guru who truly holds a lineage, and take refuge in him, receiving empowerment. 2) You must have pure faith in the transmission of your guru's teaching, and learn its secrets. 3) You must practise truthfully. 4) You must cultivate and attain the signs of the respective stages. Seek authentication and guidance from the Vajra Guru. If the authentication is true, then move to the next higher level, cultivate in stages, and receive authentication in stages. The person mentioned in this short chapter was being preposterous, believing that he would become a master, thus deceiving himself and others into believing that he would become a throne holder. If one is not being honest in his or her cultivation and craves for fame and fortune, doesn't it seem absurd and laughable? When the actual practice of each sadhana in Tantric Buddhism reveals its corresponding spiritual experience, it must be authenticated by the Guru. One may mistake the false for the real, and regard illusion as reality. If the disciple does not believe in the instruction of his guru, he is vulnerable to being trapped in the Mara realms, being unaware of its pitfalls. You don't dress yourself up with the Pandita hat and Dharma robe merely by purchasing them! They are to be given to you after authentication by the Root Guru! |
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