Question asked by Gale
Dear, Pastors. Thank you for your kindness for answering this question. I have come across a website here that says this.
"Since Lam-rim Chen-mo and Bodhicaryavatara explain that a non-bodhisattva getting angry with a bodhisattva for one second destroys one thousand eons of merits, you would think that giving rise to heresy or anger toward the guru would destroy much more merit than that. Many hundreds of thousands of eons of merit should be destroyed, and realizations should be delayed and sufferings experienced in the hell realm for many hundreds of thousands of eons. That point is one to be analyzed.
However, it is very heavy negative karma for a non-bodhisattva to get angry with a bodhisattva for even one second."
In the far past, due to my ignorance, I have gotten angry with the wonderful Bodhisattva Guan Yin. I want to repent for it. Is it too late for me?
Hello Gale,
Yes, what you have quoted is indeed correct. As you have said, you have gotten angry at the Bodhisattva Guan Yin, known as Chenrezig in Tibetan Buddhism. According to the teachings, yes, you would have destroyed merits due to this. However, Buddhism is not a fatalistic religion. You can build up those merits again through your practice, whether formal practices such as pujas and prayers, or by engaging in the actually teachings, transforming your mind and becoming a better person. Is Chenrezig going to be angry with you? Of course not. Chenrezig has not anger whatsoever and is only full of love and compassion towards you. So even in the past if you have been angry at Chenrezig, for whatever reason, Chenrezig will forgive you and still bless you and help to increase your merits. As long as you feel remorse for your actions and also fix what you have done, by transforming your mind for the better. A formal way of doing this is using the Four Opponent Powers in relation to a purification practice. But even just going in front of your Chenrezig statue, feeling remorse and apologising is still very good because it is from your heart.
I hope this helps. Thank you.