Holy beings cherish, and spirits admire, the person who always knows their own faults

The uphill road is truly extremely difficult: no sooner have we cleared one thorn bush than we meet this swamp, that field of spikes... So obstacles crowd thickly along the road we travel. But each time we cross an obstacle, which means conquering a fault, our spirit rises a little higher, and we are loved by the holy ones and admired by the spirits. This is what our ancestors meant by “when virtue is great, even ghosts and spirits show respect”.

For instance, when we go to a graveyard where ghosts wander, or a house haunted by flickering spirits that make trouble,... most of us have our hair stand on end and goosebumps rise, because it is so eerie. But if a virtuous person goes there, even if they see a ghostly figure appear, their heart still feels love, because they know that those too are beings, and they remain calm and unafraid. The spirits also come, but with respect, not to frighten. This is called “when virtue is great, ghosts and spirits show respect”. It is only because that person always knows their own faults that their virtue grows day by day. They do not see it themselves; they quietly look for this fault to eliminate, that fault to correct,... but the spirits outside see the virtue of that person gradually radiating outward.

If someone then praises them: “Oh, your virtue is so great,” this person immediately joins their palms and bows: “Please don't praise me and make me proud again. I have been caught in pride and disturbed and uneasy for so many years. I fear praise because it makes me careless and arrogant. Now, if I am criticised, I am very glad. A criticism may be right or wrong, but either way it helps me be watchful and humble in examining my faults...” To be able to say this, one must be a person of great virtue.

To judge a person's virtue in practice, look at their attitude toward praise and blame. If they are angry when criticised and delighted when praised, know that this person has not yet seen their faults and is still caught in Mara's net. If, when criticised, they listen sincerely, hoping to be shown their fault exactly so they can correct it; and when praised, they also listen but with reserve, not daring to accept it, then this person is on the right road. They are climbing uphill, seeing faults, correcting faults, and their virtue grows, earning the respect of the spirits.

On the path of practice, no sooner have we cleared this boulder than we step on that thorn bush; no sooner have we dealt with this fault than we are caught in another. So we must be extremely cautious, vigilant and trembling about our own faults. The word “trembling” is quite exact, because only one who fears faults truly knows how to practise. But a person who thinks they are already accomplished, who always puts on a show of peace and ease and is smugly self-satisfied, will fall with no way back up. We must always remember that we are still inadequate, that faults constantly surround us, that we are good in one respect but bad in another, and so be extremely watchful, apprehensive and humble. And that is precisely the right road toward non-self.