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Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

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Vajrayana, one always holds too strictly to this, it may<br />

hinder one's progress. For example, Tsong Khapa <strong>and</strong><br />

many Chan masters did not take dakinis or practice the<br />

third initiation yogas—thus they failed to achieve the<br />

eminence of Padmasambhava. To hold to formal rules<br />

after sublimation in the Mahayana is the obstacle of<br />

propriety. Some teachers dare not take a dakini for fear<br />

of criticism by their own disciples or supporters.<br />

c.The Obstacle of Small Enlightenment<br />

Accomplishment. This is a block to Full Enlightenment.<br />

If one manages to gain a little supernormal power,<br />

develops facility in a few dhyanas, finds many disciples<br />

to worship one, or is asked because of one's eloquence<br />

to preach—all these are examples of this obstacle. In the<br />

biographies of the patriarchs of the Tian Tai School,<br />

many have, towards the ends of their lives, confessed<br />

that they had not been able to win the Highest<br />

Enlightenment just because they had achieved the<br />

limited eminence of being learned teachers.<br />

I have also had some experiences of this obstacle. An<br />

unidentified voice once told me in my meditation that in<br />

a certain place buried under the earth there was a golden<br />

Buddha-image. I did not investigate this matter since,<br />

after all, a golden image is a small thing to<br />

discover—what should I do with it?<br />

On another occasion, a god of the earth told me that<br />

inside a certain hill, there was a golden chicken with<br />

577

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