Four virtues and four methods

« Dec 2007 ¶ Feb 2008 »

28th of January, 2008 - 18:58

27th of January, 2008 - 9:34

My earlier note on misleading in the "Knocking on the Cocoon" entry led some to wonder what exactly I meant with that. Let's let that be clarified.

26th of January, 2008 - 17:22

Some readers have wondered as to why one might accept a siksa-guru while the diksa-guru is still present. There are also a number of other considerations that are in place on the under-explored theme of the siksa-guru.

24th of January, 2008 - 15:37

With themes such as have been brought up in the last two blogs, the age-old issue of aparadha again raises its hoods. Let me clarify my position on this. First, I would like to acknowledge that I have read all the scriptural references on Vaisnava-aparadha as well as most, and have given due thought to them. When I write as I write, I write with knowledge of the said principles, making the choices that I believe are proper, truthful and righteous. I realize that not everyone may agree with my judgment calls.

24th of January, 2008 - 11:40

I had initially thought of being much more reserved in over the depth in which I'd be writing of all this. However, as I realize there is nothing for me to lose in being more open, let's hear the full story. It'll certainly help people get an idea of where I'm at, and also learn of the route I've had to take. Writing is also a good form of processing the experience to ensure the removal of repressions from the subconscious. These entries seem to be becoming a bit elongated; I write as it comes. Read if you will, don't if you won't. Let's travel back in time to last spring...

21st of January, 2008 - 14:42

Some were wondering about the details of my abruptly concluded stay with the babaji during Niyama-seva and a bit beyond. I was more than brief in my note after moving back to my own precious peace, after all. As I noted, the experience left me with many lessons in life. I have edited the earlier blog entry to remove references that would identify him by name to give me space to write more freely of the experiences, of which many may find something to learn. This is the first write-up in what I surmise will be an interesting series.

18th of January, 2008 - 16:56

This is a translation of my letter of refusal from military and civil service sent to the Finnish civil service authority, should it be of interest.

17th of January, 2008 - 5:56

"Little late. You already misled many..." --- said the anonymous commentator on an earlier blog entry.

17th of January, 2008 - 5:31

Some of you have been missing philosophical writings. Here goes: Unity and difference of Atman and Brahman, doctrinal trouble with different strata of philosophy fused into a single doctrine, and God's creation of the chicken and the egg.

16th of January, 2008 - 5:16

Some may have wanted to take a peek into my psyche for insight into the fundamental reasons of my present direction into solitude, the underlying impetus of my turn from the dim limelights of outreach. What has made the once almost all-permeating wish to help others subside? Is the bodhisattva now staring at the navel of his own fat belly?

2nd of January, 2008 - 15:46

This blog is here to clarify my views on sahajiyas, orthodoxies, ogres, blue flamingos and any number of other such subjects and entities people might be wondering about.

2nd of January, 2008 - 11:03

Excerpt from correspondence.

1st of January, 2008 - 5:33

As a careful reader will have noticed, by sometime in the summer I will be dropping out of the GV internet scene altogether (occasional e-mails aside.) It is unlikely that I am to return, this transition off the world of internet has been a long time coming and is now nearing its definite final phase. Your input is sought.

« Dec 2007 ¶ Feb 2008 »

Posted: 28th of January, 2008 - 18:58

The Buddha had some wise insights into the means for getting to know another thoroughly. While the text that inspired this blog entry is more of a chapter in general wisdom of life, the principles certainly apply in examining a prospective guru — which has been the subject of many a discussion (also ongoing at Vilasa Kunja).

One should, he says, over a long period of time, attentively and with discernment, assess another's virtues by living together with him, assess his purity by dealing with him, assess his endurance at times of adversity, and assess his discernment through discussions. Then, there are four means of verification for four virtues.

Through living together for a long time, one will learn of the consistency or lack thereof of a person's nature. It is only too easy to put up a pleasant facade on a temporary basis. Time proves one's nature, as hardly anyone will want to spend extended periods of time upholding a facade unless the gains attainable are truly remarkable; for effort put into upholding a show must stay in proportion to the gains it aims for.

Through various interactions over a period of time, one will come to learn whether a person has different faces for different occasions. For example, one may observe that the person speaks in one way to one disciple and in another to a second, and yet in a different way to different kinds of groups of people to suit his purposes. For he is saintly whose thoughts, words and deeds are in unison in all circumstances.

Through observing behavior in adversity, one comes to see the base nature of a person. In absence of disturbances, anyone may put on a peaceful and saintly character. However, struck by aversity the inner, hidden desires of the person surface, just as a parrot will forget the human language in the claws of a cat. It is only in such times that concealed anger, envy, hatred and delusion come to rear their ugly heads.

Through alertness to the course of discussion, one comes to understand the wisdom expression capacity of a person. A person may be saintly indeed in conduct, but if he is unable to resolve doubts satisfactorily, to handle issues in peaceful dispassion, and to make the subject matter clearly and conclusively understood, he will not be very useful in the capacity of a teacher.

Discussed in Thana Sutta of Anguttara-nikaya.

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