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Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

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to the bhiksus who also practice the Great <strong>and</strong> the<br />

Diamond Ways, "I am a pure bhikkhu—you are not!"<br />

Even if monks from China or Tibet are senior to them in<br />

ordination, the Southern monks do not worship them as<br />

they would their own mahasthaviras (Great Elders).<br />

Such small-minded but greatly proud bhikkhus must<br />

mend their manners <strong>and</strong> reduce their pride! Even if they<br />

try to learn the other yanas, they will never be able to<br />

gain a good underst<strong>and</strong>ing of them while such conceit is<br />

present. To learn, one has to be humble.<br />

Such monks as this in the Theravada should know that<br />

other countries have their bhiksus, with equally good<br />

ordinations, bowls, <strong>and</strong> robes, even though these may be<br />

a little different in shape <strong>and</strong> style. Did not that great<br />

Indian bhiksu, Bodhidharma, bring with him the bowl<br />

<strong>and</strong> outer robe of Lord Buddha himself to China? These<br />

revered relics are still in the monastery of the Sixth<br />

Patriarch of the Chan School. Every monastery has a<br />

special bowl <strong>and</strong> robe that belonged to its founder, as a<br />

symbol of the holy transmission. One very good bhiksu<br />

is chosen as the custodian of these treasures.<br />

Narrow-minded Theravadins should take note of such<br />

things.<br />

Even though there were not so many who are so proud,<br />

still, if there were only reverence among all <strong>Buddhist</strong>s, I<br />

should not have to say this. I do say it because there are<br />

now a few bhiksus in Engl<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> America, <strong>and</strong> they<br />

may, knowing these facts, avoid narrow sectarianism<br />

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