พระอาจารย์อธิบายสัญญาณของการอยู่ในวงบุญพิเศษ สิทธิพิเศษที่ได้รับ และความแตกต่างจากผู้อยู่ในวงบุญอื่นที่ต้องเลือกระหว่างมุ่งบรรลุมรรคผลนิพพานในชาตินี้หรือมุ่งสู่พุทธภูมิPra Ajarn describes the signs of belonging to the special merit lineage, the privileges it carries, and how it differs from those in other merit circles who must choose between aiming for nibbana in this life or aspiring toward Buddhahood.
Someone asked: how can we know whether we belong to the 'special merit lineage'?
Signs of Belonging to the Special Merit Lineage
Anyone who is a student of Pra Ajarn belongs to the special merit lineage. Anyone who feels they are a child of Luang Phor belongs to it. Anyone who is, in spirit, a grandchild of Khun Yai and the grandmaster belongs to it too — as does anyone who holds sincere love and connection toward these teachers.
The Privileges of the Special Lineage
Belonging to this lineage means one does not easily fall into hell, because the grandmaster comes to receive everyone. Even after a mistake or a lapse, when one dies he takes them to heaven, or — if still human — has them continue their meditation practice, or places them to rest in the Tusita heaven to practice further there first. We are already accustomed to this practice, having trained continuously since our time in Tusita.
Those in Other Merit Circles Have a Different Aim
Those who wish to attain the path and fruit but belong to other merit circles generally follow one of two aims: to attain the path and fruit of nibbana in this very life, or to aspire toward Buddhahood. Those who aspire to become a fully self-enlightened Buddha must remain within that particular circle continuously — which likewise resides in the Tusita heaven, simply a different lineage from our own.
Dhammakaya Teachers Care for Students Across Every Lifetime
The special lineage carries many privileges. Khun Yai once said that other teachers instruct their students but cannot look after them across every lifetime. Teachers of the kaya , however, care for their students through every plane of existence and every lifetime — bound to them permanently, never letting them slip away or fall into hell.