如果我們能像善慧隱士（釋迦牟尼佛前世）給燃燈佛踩那樣，也隨時準備好給任何眾生踩
隨時準備好給任何眾生批評、教誡、指點、指正
包括年紀比我們小的，學識比我們少的，學佛資歷比我們淺的，品行比我們差的，禪修比我們差的，智慧比我們低的，非佛教徒，畜生道的眾生，鬼道的眾生，地獄道的眾生
只要他們說得對，我們就虛心接受，予以改正；而不會生氣、輕藐、怨恨、復仇
這就是我們修行的成功
Like the ascetic Sumedha (Shakyamuni Buddha in a previous life) who prostrated in the mud so that Dīpaṃkara Buddha could step over him—if we, too, can always be ready to let any sentient being “step on us” in exactly the same way…
Always ready to accept criticism, admonishment, guidance, and correction from any being, no matter who they are:
- those younger than us
- those with less education than us
- those who have studied Buddhism for fewer years than us
- those whose moral conduct is worse than ours
- those whose meditation is weaker than ours
- those whose wisdom is inferior to ours
- non-Buddhists
- beings in the animal realm
- beings in the ghost realm
- beings in the hell realms
As long as what they say is correct, we humbly accept it, make the correction immediately, and feel not the slightest anger, contempt, resentment, or desire for revenge.
This, and only this, is the true mark of success in our practice.
佛陀在剛覺悟時，就曾思維：‘那些不尊重和順從的人會住於痛苦’
於是他就省察自己應該依止哪位沙門和婆羅門呢？
後來發現，自己已經沒有還未完成的戒、定、慧、解脫和解脫智見；也看不見世界上有人比自己更具足戒、定、慧、解脫和解脫智見--而自己應該尊敬、依止
所以最後決定，就讓自己依止這個自己覺悟的法吧！ （AN4.21）
然而，我們並未完成戒、定、慧、解脫和解脫智見的培育；也肯定有人的戒、定、慧、解脫和解脫智見比自己更為優勝
所以有必要要依止戒、定、慧、解脫和解脫智見比自己優勝的導師
最好的導師是佛陀、其次是阿羅漢、其次是三果聖者、其次是二果聖者、再其次是初果聖者、在其次是通曉佛法而有實修實證的凡夫導師
如果我們沒有善知識的教導指引，就容易迷路，陷入痛苦
只有當我們證悟初果，我們才能清楚明瞭前方的路該怎麼走，對佛法有絕對的信心。然而，如果沒有導師的督促，也可能會傾向於世間，滋生貪嗔癡、增加痛苦
所以不尊重和順從的人會住於痛苦
When the Buddha had just attained enlightenment, he reflected:
“Those who do not respect and do not submit (to a teacher) will dwell in suffering.”
He then considered: “To which ascetic or brahmin should I now pay respect and rely upon as a teacher?”
After examining , he realized that he had already perfected precepts, stillness, wisdom, liberation, and the knowledge and vision of liberation. He also saw that there was no one in the world who surpassed him in these qualities—nor anyone whom he should revere and follow as a teacher.
Therefore, he concluded: “Let me dwell relying on this Dhamma that I myself have fully awakened to!” (AN 4.21)
However, we ourselves have not yet perfected precepts, stillness, wisdom, liberation, and the knowledge and vision of liberation. And it is certain that there are others whose attainment in these qualities far surpasses our own.
Therefore, it is necessary for us to rely on a teacher who is superior to us in precepts, stillness, wisdom, liberation, and the knowledge and vision of liberation.
The best teacher is the Buddha himself,
then an Arahant (fully enlightened disciple),
then a Non-returner (third-stage saint),
then a Once-returner (second-stage saint),
then a Stream-enterer (first-stage saint),
and after that, an ordinary worldling (non-noble person) who thoroughly understands the Buddha’s teachings and has genuine realization through practice.
If we lack the guidance and instruction of a spiritual good friend (kalyāṇa-mitta), we easily lose our way and fall into suffering.
Only when we attain Stream-entry (the first stage of enlightenment) do we clearly see the path ahead and gain unshakable confidence in the Dhamma. Even so, without a teacher’s encouragement and correction, we may still drift back toward worldly desires, allowing greed, aversion , and delusion to grow, thereby increasing our suffering.
Thus, those who do not respect and do not submit (to proper guidance) will dwell in suffering.
易被教誡和善友被佛陀說為一對善法 （AN2.96）
要知道，一日我們還不是阿羅漢，肯定還會有心靈上的缺陷、不善，肯定會有貪嗔癡；因此我們肯定有改進的空間
佛陀說，世間充斥著愚昧的人（SN56.63 ）
人生在世，我們必然會遭遇到恆河沙數的批評，有一大部分並不用理會，有一部分卻要認真審視
隆波帕默說：【無戒、無法之人的批評，無須聽進去，我們僅需觀察——自己是否真如他所言般惡劣。但有戒、有法之人的批評，必須速速聽取，敞開心扉聽取。】
有戒、有法者的指正，很多時候能夠停止我們步向毀滅，因此應該感謝他們
Being receptive to admonishment and having good friends are praised by the Buddha as a pair of wholesome qualities (AN 2.96).
We must understand that as long as we are not yet arahants, we undoubtedly still have mental defilements and unwholesome qualities. Greed, aversion, and delusion are still present within us; therefore, there is certainly room for improvement.
The Buddha said that the world is full of ignorant people (SN 56.63).
Throughout our lives, we are bound to encounter countless criticisms. A significant portioncan be disregarded, but a certain portion must be carefully examined.
As Luang Por Pramote noted:
"When criticized by someone without virtue, without Dhamma, we don't need to take it to heart. We need only reflect — are we truly as flawed as they say? However, when criticized by someone with virtue, with Dhamma, we must listen quickly and with an open heart."
Corrections from those with virtue and Dhamma can often prevent us from heading toward ruin. Therefore, we should be grateful to them.