THE CHARACTERISTICS OF QUALIFIED SPIRITUAL MASTERS
This chapter has eight parts:
(1) the general characteristics of spiritual guides,
(2) supreme wish-fulfilling spiritual masters,
(3) spiritual masters whose qualities are naturally complete,
(4) spiritual masters liberated from existence,
(5) spiritual masters of vast sublime insight,
(6) spiritual masters who hold the blessing of the successive lineage,
(7) spiritual masters who compassionately lead on the path, and
(8) spiritual masters who reveal the ultimate essential meaning.
The General Characteristics of Spiritual Guides
The extensive explanation of this text begins with “Discipleship.”
The general characteristics of spiritual guides are the following:
Because holy persons lead the worldly, they resemble everyone.
Because they transcend the mundane, they are unlike anyone; they are
outstanding.
Their acts and conduct are pure. They guide beings skillfully.
I have written this main text, the extensive explanation, in the manner described
in the tantra Self-Liberated Awareness: Texts are elucidated as follows:
In concise, extensive,
And very extensive presentations
Which elucidate the text’s words. Thus, Book 1, “Discipleship,” begins with a description of the general characteristics of qualified spiritual masters.
The distinctive mark of holy persons is that, since they lead all worldly individuals, their acts and conduct seem to conform to everyone they guide. Yet, since they ultimately transcend this world, they are unlike anyone else:
compared to all their disciples, they are outstanding. Their acts and conduct are pure, unblemished by any fault. They employ a variety of skillful means to guide all beings on the correct path. The Pattern of the Stem states: Who can be called spiritual guides? Since they lead all beings, you can see nothing discordant in them. Since they transcend this world, they have nothing in common with anyone. Because the acts they undertake are meaningful in every circumstance, they accomplish infinite beneficial acts for others . The Discourse Requested by Maitreya states:
Know that any liberation gained by hearers, solitary sages, or
unsurpassable buddhas, as well as any aggregation of the sight of
wisdom, arises from reliance upon spiritual guides. Moreover,
Maitreya, any measure of help or happiness experienced by sentient beings arises from their own root of ennobling acts: know that this too
arises due to spiritual guides.
The General Discourse That Gathers Wisdom’s Realization states:
Spiritual masters can be grouped as follows: outer, skillful spiritual masters who cut through false embellishments in their disciples’
philosophical view; inner, kind spiritual masters who impart the profound instructions of secret mantra; secret, root spiritual masters who reveal the mind’s nature as unborn; spiritual masters of the ground of being’s nature; spiritual masters of the pure mind; spiritual masters of symbolic appearances; and the human spiritual masters of a lineage.
Supreme Wish-Fulfilling Spiritual Masters [B]
Supreme wish-fulfilling spiritual masters are skillful,
Are imbued with supreme compassion, and have mastered great
treasuries of discourses and tantras.
They are vessels that cross the wide sea of existence, Guides for those who have entered the path, fine gems that dispel destitution, Rivers that extinguish the fires of karma and mental afflictions, clouds that rain the teachings, Mighty divine drums that bring joy to all beings,
Healers who cure the sicknesses of the three poisons, Bright lamps that dispel the darkness of ignorance, wish-fulfilling trees that bestow happiness, Exquisite vases that yield everything desired, new dawns of universal love, Moons that ease heartache, and mines of the riches of every quality, like the wealth god Son of Renown. Respectfully rely upon such masters.
Spiritual masters exhibit expertise in accomplishing significant deeds with a minimum of difficulty. With compassion for others and without sorrow or fatigue, they are infinitely helpful. In these and other ways, they exhibit mastery of the vast treasury of the discourses and tantras. Aspects of their qualities can be related using many examples. The Pattern of the Stem Discourse states: O
child of enlightened heritage! Moreover, since they free us from the seas of
existence, they are like great vessels. For those who have entered the path to
freedom, they are like guides. Since they rid existence of decline, they are like
sovereign wish-fulfilling jewels. Since they extinguish the fires of karma and the
mental afflictions, they are like rivers. Since they cause a torrential rain of the
teachings, they are like excellent clouds. Since they bring joy to all beings, they
are like mighty divine drums. Since they cure the mental afflictions’ sicknesses,
they are like sovereign healers. Since they dispel all darkness of abject
ignorance, they are like lamps. Since they fulfill every hope and desire, they are
like wish-fulfilling trees. Since they yield everything desired, they are like
exquisite vases. Since they are imbued with boundless love, they are like the
circle of the sun. Since they ease the heartache of the mental afflictions, they are
like the circle of the moon. Since they bestow a wealth of positive qualities, they
are like the wealth god Son of Renown
Further in the same text,
I could praise the spiritual guides’ qualities in full but could not finish
even after an eon. For this reason, always rely upon spiritual guides.
Spiritual Masters Whose Qualities Are Naturally Complete [C]
Spiritual masters whose qualities are naturally complete are from good
families, Have all senses intact, are considerate and modest,
Are loving and compassionate, have vast sublime insight,
And are restrained, erudite, patient, and not deceitful.
These spiritual masters are born to good families, such as those of royalty, and
are very modest, considerate, and conscientious. Their senses are intact and pure
due to their previous cultivation of stores of goodness and wisdom. They feel
naturally inclined toward the great way; they are imbued with great love and
compassion. Their awakened karmic connection due to previous lifetimes’
training endows them with wide-ranging innate sublime insight. Because their
dualistic mental afflictions are faint, they are restrained and patient.
Their search for numerous teachings has made them widely learned. Their deportment in body, speech, and mind is naturally disciplined; thus, they are straightforward and not deceitful. They have rejected base conduct and feel faith in correct ideals. The Discourse That Gathers Wisdom’s Realization states: Born to good families, endowed with an unhurried mind, inwardly restrained, Bright and charismatic, they do not condone negative acts.
Full of the inexhaustible qualities of knowledge, They are endowed with a boundless, open intellect. They are able to face difficulties, patient, and always straightforward. They are sincere, not deceitful in their conduct, And have rejected paths of frivolous preoccupations.
Free from agitation and distraction, they live in seclusion:
Those endowed with such qualities are worthy to be considered holy.
Spiritual Masters Liberated from Existence [D]
Spiritual masters liberated from existence have turned their backs on
common human life, Feel faint attachment to homeland, long-guarded
wealth, and possessions, Believe in karma and its consequences, are
circumspect in relation to ennobling acts to adopt and corrupting acts
to reject, And have abandoned hopes for this life. They accomplish
what is very meaningful for the long term.
These spiritual masters live far from their homeland, have turned their backs on worldly life, feel faint attachment to food and wealth, distinguish between ennobling acts to adopt and corrupting acts to reject, and accomplish what is very meaningful for the long term (that is, future lives). The Discourse That Gathers Wisdom’s Realization states: Powerful heroes forsake their homeland, Speak truthfully, and live according to what the Buddha has said. They are like a lion, sovereign among beasts.
Circumspect, their qualities magnify.
They skillfully protect others from any suffering.
Spiritual Masters of Vast Sublime Insight [E]
Spiritual masters who know every subject of Buddhist culture are learned
in philosophical tenets’ words and meaning, Maintain exemplary view
and conduct, and are never reprehensible in any way.
They do not invent their own teachings but adhere to scripture and logic, Examine the capacities of students, and teach accordingly.
In general, these spiritual masters have uninhibited understanding of all subjects of knowledge, gained through training in the five major subjects of Buddhist culture. Specifically, after thorough hearing of the gateways to the doctrine and reflection upon them, they understand both the words and meaning of all ways of spiritual development. In particular, their exemplary view and conduct have freed them from inferior, mistaken philosophies. Since their
understanding has emerged from the treasure chest of scripture and reasoning,
they neither trivialize nor invent teachings. They thoughtfully examine students’
intellectual propensities before leading them to enter the doctrine’s traditional
paths. They distinguish between the spiritual and the mundane, thus skillfully
put an end to negative forces and mistaken paths. The Pattern of the Stem
Discourse states: Those known as spiritual guides are they who have renounced
corrupting acts and who act nobly. They flawlessly present the doctrine as it is
and act accordingly. They possess the seven treasures of exalted beings,6 seek
awakening, and lead others to that attainment.
Spiritual Masters Who Hold the Blessing of the Successive Lineage [F]
Spiritual masters who preserve the lineage of accomplished masters have received the aural lineage’s profound instructions. They hold the tradition; thus, they are skillful in accomplishing the two goals.
They exert themselves in spiritual practice, have attained accomplishments, and are even able to transform others’ perceptions. They have inherited the discourses’ and tantras’ transmissions, and guard the tantric bonds purely.
These spiritual masters pleased their own spiritual masters and guides, and now preserve the lineage of accomplished masters. They mined the treasury of their masters’ wisdom mind and now wield the aural lineage’s profound instructions. They witnessed the customs of their predecessors and are now skillful in ways to accomplish goals for others’ good as well as their own. Their constant exertion in spiritual practice has led to their attainment of various kinds of accomplishment. The blessing of their predecessors has entered their being; they are thus able to transform others’ perceptions. By the victors’ blessing, they inherited the transmissions of the discourses and tantras. Their great fortune in secret mantra leads them to guard purely the designated tantric bonds. Vajra Magical Illusion states: The characteristics of spiritual masters of secret mantra are these:
Well-educated, endowed with vast sublime insight, Of sure realization of the transmissions’ intent, Not striving to acquire material objects, Accepting of hardship with little sorrow or fatigue, Endowed with many pith instructions, liberated from the path, Skillful in logic, knowledgeable in the signs of meditative heat, Imbued with the awakened mind and pervasive compassion, Inheritor of the tantras, skillful in spiritual practice, Endowed with a repository of instruction, the streams of transmission are complete within them— Their own minds are liberated and they strive diligently for others’ welfare.
Spiritual Masters Who Compassionately Lead on the Path [G] Spiritual masters have trained in the awakened mind and continually help others.
The signs of having received blessing are that they are able to bless others’ experience; They have experience of the view, meditation, and conduct and their results; and they are proficient in the signs that indicate attainment of meditative heat.
They are powerful, can eliminate all hindrances, and guide others skillfully.
These spiritual masters have trained in the great way; thus, whatever they do serves others. Their own spiritual masters’ blessings have entered them; thus, they are able to bless others’ experience. Their training in the meaning of the abiding nature allows them to exhibit signs of meditative heat in the experience of the view, meditation, conduct, and result. Their awareness has reached the vital point; thus, their power and force can eliminate demons and hindering spirits. Skillful in miracles, they overpower mistaken views. Skillful in helping others, they guide beings on the path. The Highest Certain Expression states: They are endowed with a stable awakened mind, are skillful, And possess a full measure of meditative heat in the experience of suchness.
Forceful, and undeterred by hindering spirits,
They pleased their blessed spiritual masters
And thereby became vajra masters.
Spiritual Masters Who Reveal the Ultimate Essential Meaning [H] Connection to spiritual masters who reveal the ultimate meaning brings you to the profound path. They introduce the essential meaning, the body of ultimate enlightenment, and reveal pith instructions to enrich that experience. Consummately realized, they accompany disciples to the abiding nature, the ground of being.
They skillfully transform any circumstance into the path and are masterful in liberating others’ streams of being.
The expanse of their wisdom minds spans the sky; their meditative states shine brilliantly like the sun; Their wisdom is deep as an ocean; and their nondual compassion flows like a mighty river. Unmoved by distraction, like snow-covered mountains, they are as steadfast as mountains.
Unsullied by existence, like lotuses, they dwell in equanimity like a parent.
Replete with qualities like treasures, they lead beings like monarchs. For difficult beings, they surpass any buddha.
These spiritual masters have unlimited nondual compassion: any connection you can make with them will prove meaningful. Skilled in the stages of spiritual development, they set you on your preferred path to liberation. Their skill in teaching the path from the beginning according to disciples’ interests allows them to lead those of an average degree of acumen to the practice of ennobling acts. On the path of freedom, they use personal guidance to introduce you to direct sight of the innate body of ultimate enlightenment as your own nature.
They greatly increase disciples’ qualities by means of profound enrichment through training in the energy of meditation. Their consummate mastery of ultimate realization allows them to foster disciples’ realization of the true state of buddha nature. Proficient in the profound path of skillful techniques, they transform any circumstance into the spiritual path. Their mastery of various profound instructions makes them skillful in liberating others’ streams of being.
Because they have wide-ranging sight, learning, and experience, they are adept at eliminating demons and mistaken paths. Their mastery of the highest summits of wisdom mind’s realization gives them skill in liberating any being’s stream of being. Other metaphors of their qualities are stated in The Flower Ornament Discourse: O children of the victors!
This kind of spiritual guide’s qualities are unlimited. The breadth of their nondual compassion is wide, like the sky. Their collections of retention mantras and meditative states are plentiful, like the planets and stars. Their compassion is boundless, like a great brimming lake. Their kindness is measureless, like a river.
They are unmoved by distraction, like snow-covered mountains. They never stray from the nature of suchness, like Supreme Mountain. Although they live in mundane existence, its faults do not touch them, like large lotuses. Their love is unhindered and unbiased, like that of parents. Their qualities are unlimited, like mines of jewels. Their liberation of all who circle within the round of rebirth is like a transcendent buddha’s. Their collection of qualities is boundless, infinite.
The Pristine Sky Discourse states:
Ananda! Transcendent buddhas do not appear to all sentient beings. Spiritual guides appear to all, present the doctrine, and plant the seeds of liberation. Therefore, consider spiritual guides as superior to the transcendent buddhas.
The Songs of Realization states:
Vajra masters are the root of all accomplishment.
