|
(1) A religious devotee shows weakness if he allows his
mind to be obsessed with worldly thoughts while dwelling in
solitude.
(2) A religious devotee who is the head of a monastery
shows weakness if he seeks his own interests [rather than
those of the brotherhood].
(3) A religious devotee shows weakness if he is careful
in the observance of moral discipline and lacking in moral
restraint.
(4) It shows weakness in one who has entered upon the
Righteous Path to cling to worldly feelings of attraction and
repulsion.
(5) It shows weakness in one who has renounced
worldliness and entered the Holy Order to hanker after
acquiring merit.
(6) It shows weakness in one who has caught a glimpse
of Reality to fail to persevere in sadhana [or yogic meditation]
till the dawning of Full Enlightenment.
(7) It shows weakness in one who is a religious devotee
to enter upon the Path and then be unable to tread it.
(8) It shows weakness in one who has no other occupation
than religious devotion to be unable to eradicate from
himself unworthy actions.
(9) It shows weakness in one who has chosen the
religious career to have hesitancy in entering into close
retreat while knowing full well that the food and everything
needed would be provided unasked.
(10) A religious devotee who exhibits occult powers
when practicing exorcism or in driving away diseases shows
weakness.
(11) A religious devotee shows weakness if he barter
sacred truths for food and money.
(12) One who is vowed to the religious life shows weakness
if he cunningly praises himself while disparaging others.
(13) A man of religion who preaches loftily to others and
does not live loftily himself shows weakness.
(14) One who professes religion and is unable to live in
solitude in his own company and yet knows not how to
make himself agreeable in the company of others shows
weakness.
(15) The religious devotee shows weakness if he be not
indifferent to comfort and to hardship.
These are The Fifteen Weaknesses.
|
