An illumined love which never degenerates into attachment, a superior dignity untainted by the least trace of pride, a sublime wisdom which sheds light but not scorching heat - these elements characterize true greatness, a spontaneous synthesis of truth and love, of strength and grace.
The truly great ones are whole and wholesome, not the victims of partial and mutually incompatible virtues so much apparent in lesser men. Their life as well as words reveal a fascinating harmony of rare qualities. Witness the struggles of the aspirant in whom on virtue can hardly co-exist with another; whose truth hurts, whose frankness is obviously 'brutal', whose sincerity is embarrassing, whose strength is withering, or whose sympathy and compassion only serve to encourage weaknesses.
It needs a perfected soul to harmonize strength and grace even under the most delicate and provocative of circumstances; and precisely, one such was the Buddha, the Blessed One.
On one occasion his dear and remarkable disciple, Sariputra, approached the Guru in an exalted mood of adoration. After saluting reverently he took his seat by the Master's side and burst into a high eulogy: "Lord! There is none greater than you, the Blessed One; there never has been any, there never will be, and none other exists now - greater or wiser. That is what I think; that is my faith."
The Blessed One was free to accept this praise and adoration, coming as it did from a sincere heart; free to approve of it and bask in its welcome warmth - the way many lesser teachers are often tempted to do.
Or like certain stern 'impersonalists' he could have over-reacted, coming down heavily on the disciple and reduced him to pulp with stinging words and ridicule. None of the personality cult!
One way he could have inflated his own ego; the other way he could have broken and crushed that of the disciple. He did something infinitely better; made both shine out better.
Gently and calmly, he just put a counter-question: "Is that so, Sariputra? Grand and bold indeed is your assertion. That means you have obviously known all the Blessed Ones of the whole past, and that thoroughly...?"
Honest that he was, Sariputra would not try to defend his position emotionally. Plain was his answer. "How can I say that, Lord? I can't."
A little pause, and the Buddha again inquired: "Then you must surely have known all the Blessed Ones yet to come, and that perfectly...?"
Sariputra might have felt embarrassed but that did not come in the way of his truthfulness. So he replied: "Not so, O Lord...I have not."
A little more pause and the Blessed One asked: "But then, at least you know me as the holy Buddha now alive, and you have penetrated my mind fully and completely...?"
Sariputra could only say, "No Lord... Not that even."
The very nature of the question-answer process was enough to awaken the needed perspective in Sariputra's mind. That done, the Buddha clinched the issue saying, "You see, then, Sariputra! You know not the hearts of the Buddhas of the past nor the future...nor even of myself. How then can you make such a grand and bold statement?"
Sariputra admitted that his statement was not based on knowledge of facts but on his own deep faith, and tried to explain himself.
"Great is your faith, Sariputra," declared the Blessed One appreciatively, yet at the same time adding the warning, "but take heed that it is well-grounded."
The superior teacher, the right of Guru he was, the Buddha would not destroy the disciple's faith now allow it to run in wrong channels. He would not allow the other great ones to be belittled; but neither would he unnecessarily belittle himself, nor would he make the disciple feel small.
All concerned would be borne aloft by the uplifting breeze of gentle wisdom.
So it is no wonder that he declared on another occasion, "Those that take refuge in me with faith and devotion will get Svarga, paradise. Those who, with full faith, will follow my Dharma (the path of Truth) will become Buddhas like me."
Courtesy: "The Gospel of Buddha" by Paul Carus
