The Ninth Practice of Samantabhadra: Why Does a Bodhisattva 'Follow' Sentient Beings?

**Summary:** Exploring the ninth of the ten practices of Samantabhadra: a Bodhisattva 'follows' sentient beings not to indulge them, but to find ways to save them, using compassion and courage to overcome all distances created by karma.

Have you ever heard the saying, "A parent who indulges their child will spoil them"? Yet, in the sutras, the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra teaches that a Bodhisattva must "always accord with sentient beings." It sounds contradictory... Let us delve into the deeper meaning hidden within the word 'follow.'

**The Invisible Gap Between Saint and Worldling**

As a sage practices, they move further and further away from ordinary beings. Their merit rises to the vast emptiness, while beings remain drowning in greed, hatred, and delusion. When the distance in merit becomes too great, they cannot be near one another. This is the law of cause and effect (karmic law), which no one can change. Venerable Thich Chan Quang explains:

"The merit of a Bodhisattva and the merit of sentient beings gradually grow too far apart. And this great distance, according to cause and effect, forces a separation between beings and the Bodhisattva."

So how can one guide beings? If left to nature, a Bodhisattva and sentient beings would never meet. Therefore, Samantabhadra teaches an immensely important practice: "always accord with sentient beings." To accord is not to indulge, but a means to draw near, so that beings may receive help.

**A Bodhisattva Does Not Choose to Drift Away**

Venerable Thich Chan Quang emphasizes: "A Bodhisattva must proactively seek a path to reach sentient beings. This is precisely that practice." This proactive effort is filled with compassion and courage, for the distance between saint and worldling is not only in merit, but also in perception and morality.

"A Bodhisattva who seeks a path to guide beings is both full of love and full of courage."

To achieve this, a Bodhisattva must cultivate merit through the first eight practices: paying homage to the Buddhas, praising the Thus Come Ones, making extensive offerings, repenting karma and obstacles... all the way to "always following and learning from the Buddha." Only when merit overflows do they have enough magnetic pull and capacity to enter dark places.

**The Story of the Teacher in the Fishing Village**

In the account, there is a deeply moving story of a teacher who went to guide the people of a fishing village. He did not speak softly, nor did he act like a sage. Instead, he spoke coarsely and even scolded them like the villagers. Yet, the villagers greatly respected and listened to him. Why? Because he possessed immense merit and extraordinary ability. He accorded with them so they would not be wary, yet did not lose the dignity of a sage.

"That teacher fulfilled the practice of Samantabhadra; he did it perfectly. 'You all are hooligans? I am a hooligan too.'"

This is the art of 'accordance': being similar without sinking, being similar without being despised. Only those with merit and wisdom can do this.

**Accord While Preserving Oneself**

Venerable Thich Chan Quang shares a personal experience: when sitting at banquets with generals, he maintained a separate vegetarian meal, drank tea instead of wine, but sat beside them and conversed happily. As a result, the generals both liked and respected him. He concludes:

"Being like sentient beings without sinking among them; being like sentient beings without them daring to look down on you. Being like sentient beings so they must respect you."

That is the goal of the practice of "always accord." We are encouraged to become harmonious, but we must not lose our moral boundaries.

**A Lesson for Us**

The ninth practice of Samantabhadra is not only for Bodhisattvas; it is a lesson for every person. First, one must cultivate and accumulate merit like the first eight practices. Do not hastily dream of guiding beings when you yourself lack merit. The Venerable reminds us earnestly:

"Lacking merit, do not dream of guiding sentient beings."

Once we have merit, let us practice 'accordance' in our daily lives. Accord with friends, with colleagues, with family. But it is a wise accordance: gentle yet not weak, harmonious yet not condoning wrongdoings.

Thus, "the ninth, always accord with sentient beings" is a teaching full of compassion and wisdom. Let us learn from the example of the Bodhisattva: cultivate merit, open the heart of compassion, and courageously step into the world to uplift those still submerged. When we accord with others with a pure mind, we become a trusted friend to all, while still preserving our own inner light.