(Minghui.org) In traditional Chinese culture, one always respects one’s teacher for sharing their knowledge and insights. “All wise kings and holy rulers respect teachers and treasure Tao (the way),” (from Book of the Later Han, which documents specific years in Han dynasty history compiled by various authors).
This is especially the case within the cultivation community. Showing humility and modesty will bring blessings from the divine, while disrespecting teachers and traditions can lead to negative consequences. Below are two examples.
Shakyamuni and His Disciple
Among many disciples of Buddha Shakyamuni, Maudgalyayana was considered the foremost in terms of supernormal powers. Once, while listening to Shakyamuni lecturing, Maudgalyayana saw that beings in other dimensions were also listening to the lectures. Impressed by the sacred scene, he wanted to know how far away beings in the celestial bodies could hear Shakyamuni lecturing.
Maudgalyayana’s soul left his body and ascended to higher dimensions. In every dimension he entered, he could hear Shakyamuni lecturing. He continued to rise higher and higher. Meanwhile, Shakyamuni was aware of what Maudgalyayana was doing.
When he arrived at a paradise called Bright Banner, Maudgalyayana realized that all beings there were very tall. One of them saw tiny Maudgalyayana and remarked: “Where did this insect come from, walking on our bowl?” The Dharma King of the paradise said this was a disciple of Shakyamuni who was saving people in the Saha World.
Just then, Shakyamuni used his divine powers to tell Maudgalyayana to transform his body. Strengthened by Shakyamuni, Maudgalyayana suddenly became gigantic while radiating light. Countless lotus flowers appeared in the light and Shakyamuni could be seen lecturing on each lotus petal. Upon seeing the scene, divine beings in this paradise put their palms together to show respect.
After showing the supernormal abilities, Maudgalyayana said he came from a distant place but did not know how to return. He hoped the Dharma King would help him get back. The Dharma King replied that, even with Maudgalyayana’s ability, he would not be able to return in one kalpa (billions of years). “But there is a secret—never forget your roots. Keep your master in your heart and sincerely chant your master’s name, Buddha Shakyamuni, and you will be able to return.”
Following the advice, Maudgalyayana sincerely chanted Shakyamuni’s name. In no time, Shakyamuni brought him back to the Saha World to continue his cultivation.
Consequences of Forgetting About One’s Master
In the Chinese story Investiture of the Gods, Huang Tianhua leaves his Taoist master to assist Jiang Ziya in fighting against the corrupt Shang Dynasty. During this, they encounter the four generals of the Demon Family. According to the Five Element theory, Huang is the nemesis of these four generals. However, not long after the fighting begins, the four generals kill Huang.
Fortunately, Huang’s master was able to save him with supernormal abilities and he explained to Huang why he failed. “After leaving master you began to eat meat—this is one sin; in addition, you abandoned your Taoist clothing and wore layman’s attire, which is the second sin.”
Taoists are usually vegetarian. But soon after leaving his master, Huang began eating meat and stopped wearing Taoist robes, dressing like a high official instead. Jiang Ziya reminded him, “You are a Taoist, so why did you change your clothing? Although I am a chancellor, I dare not forget my master.”
When a person forgets where they came from, they are like a river without a source or a tree without roots. So failure is inevitable. It is especially true for someone on a spiritual path. Without support from their master, a person is very weak. That is how Huang lost his power and even his life.
Similar consequences can also occur in the lives of ordinary people. In traditional Chinese culture, it is widely believed that doing good deeds accumulates virtue, while doing bad deeds accumulates karma. Virtue can be transformed into wealth, success, and prosperity, whereas karma can lead to various difficulties or adversities in life.
Therefore, remaining modest and humble while being a good person can lead to a better future.
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Category: Traditional Culture
