Always Following the Buddha's Example: Why Do Even the Enlightened Still Need to Follow the Buddha?

Have you ever wondered: after attaining realization, what more does a bodhisattva still need to learn? In a remarkable year-end dharma talk, Thầy Thích Chân Quang offered a profound insight into the eighth practice of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva – the practice of always following the Buddha's example in learning. This practice is not a mere formality, but a warning about a subtle illness of the mind.

When You Score a Perfect Ten, Are You Sure You Fully Understand?

Thầy Chân Quang opened with a very ordinary example: when we were young and went to school, did we ever solve a math problem and receive a perfect ten? Some problems earned a ten, but not all of them. And even when we got a ten, could we be sure we understood the problem one hundred percent?

"If we could score a perfect ten on every single problem, then we could say we understood one hundred percent. But no one scores a ten on everything. Once in a while getting a perfect ten makes us overjoyed."

In the same way, no one fully understands one hundred percent of the Buddha's teachings. Some people understand five percent and consider themselves brilliant; some understand thirty percent and are called returning bodhisattvas. But those who understand seventy percent already exist in another realm, not this one. Yet many people take their limited understanding to judge the Buddha, teaching the Buddha's way in a lower form, gradually diminishing the loftiness of the Buddha's teachings (Dharma).

Excessive Self-Confidence: The Illness of Great Teachers

Thầy Chân Quang pointed out that the psychology of all sentient beings is arrogance, except for the Arhats. Yet even an Anagami – one who can move mountains and fly through the sky – still harbors hidden arrogance. Even they cannot see it; only the Buddha can see it.

"I use the phrase 'excessive self-confidence.' Please engrave these words, 'excessive self-confidence,' in your heart. Because gradually, we will fall into it."

This illness afflicts not only those who have attained realization, but also beginners – those who have only just started meditative concentration, sitting quietly for a little while, or those who teach the Dharma and gather listeners. They easily catch this disease. In particular, famous meditation masters and dharma teachers often fall into it. They believe they understand correctly, yet they have never touched the deepest, most profound point of the Buddha's meaning. And it is precisely this excessive self-confidence that causes the Buddha's way to decline.

"The fault that causes the Buddha's way to decline little by little lies precisely with these smooth talkers. Because people listen to them, because they have conditions (dependent origination) with sentient beings, those beings assume they speak the truth."

The Branch Office of the Ego

Thầy Chân Quang gave a fascinating example to explain why the ego is so hard for us to see. In our mind there is a "center of thinking" – this is the branch office of the ego. When meditative concentration deepens, this office can collapse, and the center of thinking disappears. At that moment, we believe we have attained realization, that the ego is gone. But in truth, only the branch office has burned down; the "boss" behind the scenes still controls everything remotely – through the cloud, a smartphone, or email.

"The state of a person who suddenly collapses the center of their thinking... feels as if they have attained realization, that there is no more ego. This is precisely the point where the Buddha scolded the Anagamis for still harboring arrogance."

It is here that the Buddha's teachings (Dharma) reveal a profundity that no religion can match. The branch office is gone, but the ego still exists, still secretly pulling the strings. Only the Buddha, with transcendent wisdom, can see this. As for us, when we see the office vanish, we immediately believe we are liberated, and boundless excessive self-confidence arises.

Why Does Samantabhadra Bodhisattva Vow to Always Follow the Buddha in Learning?

It is because even bodhisattvas who have attained realization have not yet fully understood the Buddha's words. They still have something to learn. This eighth practice is a wake-up call for those who have cultivated to a high level.

"Please always follow the Buddha in learning, forever. Why? Because there are bodhisattvas who, even after attaining realization, have never understood one hundred percent of the Buddha's teachings. Never."

By maintaining this humility, practitioners never fall into excessive self-confidence. They understand that they know only a small part, that there is still something they do not understand – and it is precisely that unknown that keeps them learning. This is a precious lesson that all of us, whether ordinary beings or those on the path, need to remember.

The Lesson for Us Today

We do not yet need to attain realization, but we can engrave one thing deeply in our hearts: resolve to follow the Buddha's goal of non-self (anatta). We may listen to dharma teachers and meditation masters for reference, but we must hold firmly in our hearts the goal of non-self (anatta). As Thầy Chân Quang advised:

"I bow to the Buddha and pray that I may not fall into the fault of excessive self-confidence. Should the day come when I have a great awakening and my center of thinking collapses, please let me remember the Buddha's warning: at that moment, excessive self-confidence reaches its absolute peak. Remember this for me, because when that moment comes, you usually won't remember me anymore."

So let us use our small, humble position today to nurture and grow our humility. Each day, each time we understand a little more of the Buddha's teachings (Dharma), let us remind ourselves: "I am still very prone to excessive self-confidence. I still need to learn. I still need to follow the Buddha." In this way, when realization comes, we will not be deceived by ourselves, and the Buddha's way will not decline because of us.