Man & Ego

(January, 06, Paris, France, Sri Lanka Guardian) Ego is the root cause of many problems in the world. Politicians are mainly victims of their Egocentric behaviour. Iraq is a tragic example of egocentrism. President Bush wanted to invade this country purely because of his big Ego. Very simple things become complicated because of Ego. The stronger the Ego is, the greater the fear too!

In Buddhism there are three kinds of complexes:

1. Inferiority complex
2. Superiority complex
3. Equality complex

Man suffers from one, two or three of these complexes. We come across people who strive to be superior or to be equal to others. They are constantly in suffering. Inferiority complex may cause the above mentioned two. These three are inter-related. Those who suffer from these three are full of jealousy & hatred. In our society we can see “petitioners” & “character assassinating papers” (kele paththara) If we can see the hearts of these poor men who practice this type of things we can witness a big Ego & a great suffering.

Buddhism advocates a method in order to get rid of the fetters of Ego. This is meditation. When one can overcome his or her Ego and misconception of I, me, mine, he or she is out of fear. He or she is in complete peace. Our monks are usually trapped in this problem because they are over venerated in our society! Some times some monks are known to have said, “that man who is seated in front of me! He does not respect me!” If the man seated it is his problem, not mine. Why should I bother about him? Why should I be concerned about his Respect? It is up to him to respect or not to respect. Respect or disrespect is nothing but relative thing. It should not be my business. In the Tibetan tradition there is a method in order to get rid of Egocentrism. Every Lama has to face a debate during which he is humiliated. In the Zen tradition, the Master is always keeping an eye on the disciple to release him from his Ego. When the Ego grows, clear vision disappears. Then he is guided by his Ego. Some well-known Masters were trapped in their Ego when reputation & wealth came to them. One well-known monk wanted a doctorate offered by an unimportant university! His Ego did not allow him to understand that his knowledge was more important than the doctorate paper!

The meditator surpasses fear and he experiences the inner peace. As long as one is guided by Ego he or she can never have mental peace. One has to be humble to the zero in order for him to attain mental solace. Nirvana is away from those who are imprisoned in their Ego.

Egotism is a nefarious mental disease.

(Bhikkhu Mandawala Pannawansa Thero is well known Buddhist monk born in Sri Lanka, currently lives in France. Contact Email- pannawansa@aol.com)