Walls After the Castle

It can be shown that six situations are causes for alarm:

It is alarming when you do not know what is permitted or proscribed by the vows you uphold,

despite the many years that have passed since you took monastic ordination.

It is alarming when you still need to learn what is virtuous or harmful,

despite the many years that have passed since you entered the doorway of the dharma.

It is alarming when you are no closer to training in the development of bodhicitta,

despite the many years that have passed since you began practicing the Mahayana.

It is alarming when you have no inclination to put the teachings into practice,

despite the many years that have passed since you began listening to and contemplating them.

It is alarming when you have not experienced signs of meditative warmth or given rise to enlightened qualities,

despite the many years that have passed in your pursuit of meditation.

It is alarming when you have not overcome your obvious fixations and confusion,

despite the many years that have passed since you supposedly came to understand the view.

Such circumstances, which can be likened to laying a foundation and erecting walls after the castle has already been built, are quite astounding.

Once you become aware of them, you might want to laugh out loud, but on further reflection you will be saddened, so rely on holy masters and strive to listen to, contemplate, and meditate on spiritual teachings.

[The year 2010 has but a few hours left, and many folks are taking account, making resolutions, and generally dealing with impermanence. Shall we leave the old year with a few words from Longchenpa? This is from The Precious Treasury of Pith Instructions.]