Humility # 2Humility in actionOvercoming Arrogance1. Associating with the wise:We need to associate those who can point out our delusions on a regular basis. Such friends could help us to assess what we do and show our weaknesses. They will imprint good habits on us. At the same time, we should not associate with flatterers that will lead us down the wrong path. In addition, we should pay respect to those worthy to be respected regularly so that we will be reminded that people worth of respect more than us exist.2. Being thorough and think carefully before you do things:You have to think thoroughly before doing anything. Think that you cannot live forever – no matter how great you are-you will die one day just like everybody else. You are not superior than others. At the same time you should consider factors making us arrogant such as family name, wealth, appearance, ranking or number of followers to be nonpermanent – these cannot stay with us forever.Humility of wordsCharacteristics of a Humble PersonA humble person is a person who knows his own worth according to reality. They are characterized by three distinct features:1. Humility in action:A humble person is not arrogant in their body language or their manners – but at the same time they are not obsequious. They know how to make themselves endearing to others by their behaviour. They will be good-manners no matter what walk of society they are dealing with. They are humble but at the same time they have confidence in themselves.2. Humility of words:Their speech is endearing. Their words express the purity and good intention in their heart. Their words are soft rather than being provocative or boastful. They do not use their verbal skills to ‘put others down’. If they should be responsible for a mistake, they will be quick to thank them for the compliment. They do not make threats or tease others for making mistakes. If someone else does a good deed, they praise them.3. Humility in mind:A humble person is modest even in their thoughts. They may be soft and gentle in their approach to all things, but it does not mean that they are weak or indecisive. Never complacent about their abilities, they will always be looking for ways to improve on them. They do not assume that they are always right – they are open to others’ opinions. They believe different people have the right to have their views and opinions. They do not get angry if they do not get their own way, but look for ways to adapt their thinking to the need of others.Humility in mindIllustrative Examples of HumilityOnce in a monastic assembly presided by the Lord Buddha, a monk accused Sariputta saying that in spite of being one of the two chief disciples of the Buddha, he purposely bumped into him. The Buddha thus asked Sariputta whether the accusation was true or not.Sariputta explained to the Buddha, “A monk who is not mindful of the body will certainly bump into a fellow monk without apologize. However, I am willing to behave with the humility of land, water, fire, wind, a wiping rag that encounters clean and dirt regularly, an untouchable child who blunders into the village or a bull with broken horns. I have no opportunity to indulge in self-importance. I am bored to take care of this disgusting rotten body that I have to care for. I am mindful of the body with just the same care that a man would carry a tray with nine holes filled to the brim with oil causing the oil to leak constantly. I therefore do not have the mind of acting arrogantly to anyone.” I therefore do not have the mind of acting arrogantly to anyone.”Even before renouncing the world, Sariputta was already so gifted that he had attained no less than eighteen scholastic degrees. After ordination he became an Arahant. He was the right –hand chief disciple of the Buddha – yet look at how humble he could be comparing himself to a rag, a broken-horned bull or an untouchable child who was the lowest caste in India at that time. Sariputta had no trace of self-importance or arrogance. If such gifted monks in such an elevated position can be so humble – then who are we such an ordinary person to look down on others?Have good friends (Kalayanamitra).After Sariputta had explained, the accusing monk could not stay silent any longer and was quick to apologize to Sariputta and admitted to the monastic that he wrongly accused Sariputta.The Lord Buddha praised Sariputta that “He has the mind as stable as the land or the pillar of the dam. He is consistent and well-mannered. He is pure and free of defilement like water without dust or mud. He certainly shall not remain in Samsara.”The Benefits of Humility1. Live happily without enemies.2. Receive respect from others.3. Create harmony in society.4. Have good friends (Kalayanamitra).5. Have ability to emulate the goodness of others to one self.6. Have refuge in this life and next lives.7. Not be reckless and remain firm in Dhamma.8. Easily attain enlightenment and enter Nirvan.
Humility # 2
[ 14 ต.ค. 2554 ] - [ 18270 ]
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