Tibetans making prostrations at Boudanath Stupa

What it is:
Prostration is a gesture to overtly proclaim, "A state of being vastly greater than my present self exists. I truly admire and seek that condition for myself. Here is a symbol of it before me. Thus do I signify utmost honor and respect, both for the goal itself and all those who precede me to it."

Why to do it:
Buddhism is more a practice than a faith, almost like a second career. We learn very specialized skills, including the use of many tools. The largest class of these we lump together under the term meditation. For the most part these tools are rather subtle, delicate and specific of purpose, like an array of surgical instruments. We have introspective methods to scope out certain problem areas of the mind. Skillfully employed these can map out every tiniest grain and sliver of delusion yet remaining. Then we have only to deal with them, each according to its kind. Some might have to be rooted out by use of one tool or another. Others we might choose to cauterize in place. The more skillful operator even has a few rare and wonderful tools to transform them into something beneficial. All these many tools we have, each just right for a certain task.

But what if the problem is really big? What if instead of instead of a minor negative karmic propensity, the problem we are needing to address is an iron-hard knot of ego? Sure, we could carve away at it with scalpel and a magnifying glass. But that might take a rather long time. And all the while it might be growing... In such a case, why not go at it with hammer and tongs: lock it down where it can't escape, take very deliberate aim and pound away with a measured cadence until it is softened into a state of useful malleability? Do we have a tool for that? Of course we do.

And as with many excellent tools, this one has a secondary function also. Ego is pretty clever at hiding when it doesn't want to be seen. Prostration helps us flush it out. All I ever have to do is barely two or three and up it pops, virtually shouting at me. "Hey, hey, hey!" says Ego, "What's all this? It's humiliating. Don't do this. People are watching... Stop it right now!" And at that instant I know right where Ego is. I can see a really big chunk of it. How many hours would I have to sit for this kind full report? Having lured Ego from his lair, hopefully I am now a shade or two less vulnerable to assault from this deceptive and oh-so-powerful enemy.

Ego would rather that I not know he exist. He much prefers to masquerade as me instead. When I make him show himself the veil is lifted. I can stare him in the face. We are by no means one and the same. This is very good to know. Prostration is bait that Ego simply can't resist. It is one of his weakest points. And so, of course, that is where to best attack him, over and over and over again.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Stupa
• Tibetan People
• tourism
• meditation
• Spirituality
• Boudanath
• Tibet
• Prostration