Embracing Hardship for Nibbana : หน้า 99/135

156. WILLING TO ACCEPT HARDSHIP I pursue Perfections with the goal to attain Nibbana after I have vanquished all Mara. As long as Mara still remains I will not allow myself to enter Nibbana. My mind is focused on merit. This is my final life that Mara can affect me. In this life, I am willing to lower my ego and accept hardship. It is not easy to find someone who can do this. As for people who come to the Buddhadja Center, some come with respect but some come with an intention to find faults. Even so, I always expressed my gesture of respect to them first by giving them a “wai” (bowing palms together in a prayer gesture). I am a clumsy old lady, by giving a “wai” to someone much younger always brings that person's guard down. So, instead of looking for faults, the person would “wai” me back showing his/her respect in return. By lowering my ego, I have transformed an act of ill-will to an act of goodwill for that person. February 20, 1977 157. BANISH PRIDE From my heart I have banished pride and ill-will, and I urge all of the monks and attendees at this temple to do the same. But if someone is hostile against our community or has the desire to cause disarmony among people, I will not fail to stand up against them. May 31, 1981 158. TRUST To my elders I pay the deepest respect by showing my humility, honesty, and truthfulness. I have no fear of the repercussion for doing virtuous acts. In doing so, I have earned their highest trust. May 5, 1980