Remembering the Defects of the Pot

A favorite metaphor of mine is one that is related to what to avoid when one listens (as well as presumably reads) teachings. I have heard this many times from my teachers and have read them in numerous texts.

Know as the Defects of the Pots: The first defect is to listen like a pot turned upside down. The second defect is to listen like a cracked pot. The third defect is to listen like a pot containing poison. The fourth (at least added by my teacher) is to listen like a pot already full.

To listen like a pot turned upside down. If we listen like a pot turned upside down, then nothing goes in the pot. No matter how many teachings we hear no matter how many sacred texts we read, if nothing goes in, then we are wasting our time.

To listen like a cracked pot: If we listen like a cracked pot, then we hear but it does not stay. No matter how much we hear and read, we do not retain the teachings. They will do us no good.

To listen like a pot containing poison: If we listen like a pot containing poison, then the sacred teachings become contaminated. They are poisoned. No matter what we hear, the poison destroys and corrupts the sacred teachings. They will only do us harm.

To listen like a pot already full: If we listen like a pot which is already full, then no matter how much we listen there is no room for the teachings in our mind. No matter how many teachings we attend, if you think that you already know everything, you will never get the teachings.

These are easy to remember and easy for me to visualize. I try to always try to recall them before the start of teachings and before I read sacred teachings and texts.

Just see of your mind as a sacred vessel prepared to receive sacred nectar. Keep it upright, unbroken, uncontaminated, and spaceous.

Many Dharma Blessings,

Geoff