Passing on the Heritage

This is the reason that the Tibetan yogi-saint Milarepa remains famous today. He followed his Master for seven years, and suffered daily torment without complaint. He begged his Master for the Dharma every day, but dared not complain for fear that his Master would refuse to train him. Thus, he didn't complain when his Master kicked, beat, scolded, and treated him "unjustly." This is an excellent example of a good disciple. This is why Milarepa has remained famous throughout the history of Buddhism. This is truly passing on the heritage to future generations. We are still familiar with His name and aspire to be tolerant like Him. We call Him "the transcendental man."

Besides Milarepa, many worldly people, like past or modern politicians and heroes, had to go through many trials and hardships before they became famous. For example, the British monarch has to be trained at a military academy before he ascends to the throne (it's the Royal British tradition to train their future king in a military academy). In the military academy, people don't care who you are, but beat and scold you like everyone else. They could command you to do dirty or rigorous work. They may order you to undress yourself and go outside when it is snowing. You have to accept the order. You cannot say, "I am the prince of Britain." They will just say, "I know. Your mother has told me to give you more lessons."

Children, including princes and the children of important officials, are intentionally sent to military academies, because it is difficult for parents to teach them at home. It is more convenient to send them for training outside, where there is very serious discipline. Otherwise, they won't have the chance to experience difficult and unfavorable situations, and when they ascend to the throne, they will just spoil themselves and indulge in merrymaking, which will be bad for the country and people. They won't be patient in dealing with other countries; that's for sure.

 

Spiritual Practitioners
Should Endure Tests Bravely

We practitioners should not wonder why we suffer so much. We should read some books about such examples often, so that we become more open, patient, and humble. We should check if we have achieved what those great people achieved. Therefore, we should train ourselves more and study more. When we are scolded, we should recite the Holy Names and thank the people who scold us. (Audience laughs.) Really! We should do this, and then we will feel a change. Later, we will wonder why the person who scolded us is looking up to us!

We should train ourselves instead of pampering ourselves, because we don't know when God will select us to benefit sentient beings. It's not like an election to be an Enlightened Master to benefit sentient beings. It's not that we advertise ourselves and deceive people so that they will vote for us. It's not that people will advertise for us and make us famous so that people will elect us. It's not true! Advertising does nothing for God. He just picks you after watching you down here with a telescope and says, "Okay, that guy is nice! He is very good!" And then you are selected. Maybe you are selected to deliver one or two persons, which is blessing enough for you; enough to buy a ticket to fly up there! (Audience laughs.) Maybe you are selected to deliver hundreds, thousands, or even more people, then your mission becomes crucial, because it's difficult enough delivering just one person, which involves delivering five generations of that person's family! Its reward is high.

Therefore, we should remember to pass the tests at times of adversity. We must be mature people. Not only should our energy be vitalized, but our minds should be more open as well. We should understand that the world is just a big illusion and fantasy, so why bother becoming attached to anything! Why should we contest for this vanity fair! Why should we explain our "unfair" situation? Sooner or later, we will all be gone. The king will be gone, and so will the garbage collector. Nobody stays here forever. Therefore, even if we are confronted with some unfavorable situation, we have to live on and test ourselves. The more we endure, the less we feel we have to "endure," and then we find ourselves at a higher level. We don't have to measure our spiritual level only by seeing visions or hearing the Sound of the Divine. (Audience applauds.)