Cultivation - Obstacles

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[caption id="attachment_6840" align="aligncenter" width="322" caption="Blazing Splendor"][/caption]

This is an extract from the book Blazing Splendor by Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche.

 

About his personal teacher:

Samten Gyatso always considered being a vajra master or guru for others a personal obstacle, even though he was very successful at it and became very famous.

Because his chief aim had actually been to spend his life practicing alone in caves, he lamented to me, "I have the feeling that my whole life has gone in the wrong direction-that I fell under the sway of obstacles."
In the past, the tradition was that one obeyed the command of one's guru, who would say, "Go to such-and-such a place and raise the victory banner of realization. When you have reached accomplishment, then you can truly benefit beings." 
The disciple would go to that spot and practice one-pointedly until reaching realization.

Afterward, he or she would venture out into the world to benefit beings.

That is the way it should be. Without receiving permission or the command from one's guru, one does not start to work for the welfare of others as a vajra master. But after receiving the command or permission, one should definitely undertake the task.
When Samten Gyatso grew older, he often thought, "I should have stayed in caves, but instead I fell under the power of hindrances."
This wasn't just talk: he actually felt that way.

He had no ambition to become a vajra master or sit above anyone else.

He once explained, "Being successful is actually called the pleasant obstacle. Whereas any unpleasant obstacle is easily recognized by all, success is rarely acknowledged to be a barrier on the path. Unpleasant obstacles include, for example, being defamed or implicated in scandal, falling sick or otherwise meeting with failure and misfortune.

Able practitioners can deal with these. They recognize these situations as obstacles and use them as part of the path.


"But with pleasant obstacles-such as becoming renowned, having disciples gather around you and working for the welfare of others-one starts to think, 'Well, now! I'm becoming really special. I'm benefiting many beings. Everything is fine! I'm so successful'-without recognizing that the infatuation with success is a major hindrance to progress." 


When this happens, Samten Gyatso warned that people only think, "My altruistic capacity to benefit others is expanding!" This is what they tell themselves, all the while failing to notice that they have actually fallen prey to an obstacle.

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I shared the above because that is what our Root Guru always include in his Dharma sharing sessions.

Humbleness and contentment are what a cultivator should always practice.

Helping other sentient beings will be more effective when one has arrived at Realization or Enlightenment - Very very true.

I will share good stuff from all and not restrict myself to our Guru's teachings only. I humbly believe these sharing from other yogi only enhance what our Root Guru shares with us.

Remember that Dharma is not governed by Proprietorial Rights as it exist only for those that need it. If you do not know the meaning of sharing compassionately with all sentient beings, then Dharma serves you no purpose at all.

Dharma is also in everything we do, therefore it has No Constant or Fixed Form.

Adhere to the Law of Nature and do not upset the Universal Balance as well.

Amituofo

Pure Karma

Lama Lotuschef

True Buddha School