Being a Qualified Disciple of the Buddha

In a school setting, a qualified student is invariably an all-around excellent student who excels morally, intellectually, and physically. In Buddhism, a good disciple of the Buddha should be a Buddhist disciple who comprehensively develops precepts, meditative concentration, and wisdom, perfects the six perfections, and is a practitioner who perfectly integrates capability and temperament. Individuals possessing both virtue and talent are exceptionally rare and valuable. If someone possesses only certain abilities but their temperament is unwholesome and unyielding, such a person cannot be entrusted with important responsibilities. If someone has a good and kind temperament but lacks sufficient capability, they might still be employed conditionally and can be nurtured. However, if both capability and temperament are deficient, they absolutely must not be used.

Temperament manifests in selflessness. Before eradicating the view of self, some people possess a strong sense of self, while others have a mild sense of self. Those with a mild sense of self naturally find it easier to eradicate the view of self and attain realization compared to those with a strong sense of self. Those who constantly seek to dominate others are people with a strong sense of self. Those unwilling to be managed or to submit to leadership are also people with a strong sense of self; their unyielding temperament is all due to the mischief of the ego-mind.

People with a mild sense of self tend to be more easygoing and agreeable, adopting a rather indifferent attitude towards certain people and matters, and they pay little attention to their own position or authority. The individuals who cause the most problems within a group are precisely those with a strong sense of self. Without a strong leader, such a group would descend into chaos.

A Buddhist group is invariably protected by Dharma protectors. The Dharma protectors know the temperament of every individual intimately – what kind of temperament a person has, what their intentions are, and what role they can play, the Dharma protectors are clear about all of this. Therefore, the Dharma protectors manage what role a person should assume within the group. If someone is heavily self-centered and would have a destructive effect on the group, the Dharma protectors will find ways to remove and isolate them.