It is often better to be criticized than to be praised by people who are not sincere in their praise. Whereas the criticism is often not related to who we are and what we do, praise is, just because of the very fact it is not sincere.
We can train the mind to be still and to not be affected by criticism or praise. Every day for years Khun Yai Chand scolded Luang Por Dhatta for not completing his cleaning duties. Luang Por stood quietly and never answered her back. Then one day Khun Yai realized that Luang Por was not the guilty monk. As it turned out, Luang Por Dhatta was performing his cleaning duties and it was other monks who left a mess after Luang Por cleaned. When Khun Yai realized her mistake she asked Luang Por, "Why did you not tell me all those times that it was not you to blame for the mess but it was the monks that used that room after you cleaned?" I need not tell you his response. He had grown beyond praise, criticism or blame.
We can train the mind to be still and to not be affected by criticism or praise. Every day for years Khun Yai Chand scolded Luang Por Dhatta for not completing his cleaning duties. Luang Por stood quietly and never answered her back. Then one day Khun Yai realized that Luang Por was not the guilty monk. As it turned out, Luang Por Dhatta was performing his cleaning duties and it was other monks who left a mess after Luang Por cleaned. When Khun Yai realized her mistake she asked Luang Por, "Why did you not tell me all those times that it was not you to blame for the mess but it was the monks that used that room after you cleaned?" I need not tell you his response. He had grown beyond praise, criticism or blame.
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