In Buddhism there are many types or levels of teachers or masters: Different cultural traditions give them different titles: the Japanese have Roshi or sensei, Tibetan have rinpoche or lama, Theravada has venerables and so on. We also use the term guru or spiritual friend. Most use some form of master to denote a person who has some mastery of the dharma or at least enough to teach others. We are going to discuss a special type of master, a vajra master, or one who has the ability to lead you to enlightenment–has mastery of the vajra.
A vajra or dorje, as it is called in Tibetan, is a ritual object used in many Buddhist traditions to represent the highest practices. It literally means diamond or thunderbolt in Sanskrit, carrying both meanings of indestructibility and irresistible force. Vajradara (Sanskrit) or Dorje Chang (Tibetan) is the bearer or holder of the vajra–one who has the power of the vajra.
CLICK to register for Sunday afternoon Class held at 2:00 pm on June 7, 2020.
In our tradition we talk about three types of master: 1) the “Karmic Affinity Master”with whom you have not taken refuge vows but from whom you hear dharma; 2) the “Refuge Master” from whom you receive the refuge vows and precepts and who teaches you how to practice; and 3) the “Great Jewel Vajra Master” from whom you receive initiation and upon whom you rely to become accomplished or liberated. A given person may be any or all of these for you at different stages in your quest for liberation and enlightenment. This series of classes will focus on the erroneous and evil views held by some about masters, in general, but mostly about the last category of “Vajra Masters.” Related to this series are other views held about who is a person of holy virtue. Combined these views make up over 26% of all the evil and erroneous views discussed by our Buddha Master. We will start with the following ten erroneous views held about masters.
Erroneous View #7: THE VIEW THAT IT IS ACCEPTABLE FOR A MASTER TO MAKE UNREASONABLE DEMANDS UPON HIS DISCIPLES
Erroneous View #19: THE VIEW THAT THOSE WHO LEAD A LEGITIMATE LINEAGE ARE ALL LEGITIMATE LEADING MASTERS OF THEIR SECT
Erroneous View #29: THE VIEW THAT IT IS ACCEPTABLE TO INTENTIONALLY CONCEAL MATTERS FROM YOUR MASTER OF GREAT HOLINESS AND VIRTUE
Erroneous View #38: THE VIEW THAT IT IS ACCEPTABLE FOR A MASTER TO DEMAND AND TAKE PROPERTY FROM HIS DISCIPLES
Erroneous View #39: THE VIEW THAT IT IS ACCEPTABLE TO USE ONE’S SUCCESSION TO THE POSITION OF LINEAGE LEADER AS A MEANS TO OBTAIN OFFERINGS FROM DISCIPLES
Erroneous View #57: THE VIEW THAT IT IS ACCEPTABLE NOT TO MAKE OFFERINGS TO YOUR MASTER AFTER YOU ATTAINED REALIZATION THROUGH RECEIVING YOUR MASTER’S DHARMA
Erroneous View #72: THE VIEW THAT REGARDS ONE WITH SELF-PRIDE AND ARROGANCE AS A VAJRA MASTER
Erroneous View #73: THE VIEW THAT YOU HAVE TO RESPECT A FALSE “HOLY MASTER” ACCORDING TO THE FIFTY STANZAS OF GURU DEVOTION
Erroneous View #74: THE VIEW THAT IT IS ACCEPTABLE TO FOLLOW A MASTER WHO NO LONGER HAS BODHICITTA
Erroneous View #81: THE VIEW THAT IT IS ACCEPTABLE FOR A MASTER TO TRANSFER PART OF HIS LIFESPAN TO HIS DISCIPLE
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