An ascetic maintains discipline of diet and conduct, is tolerant, gentle,

compassionate, and rejoices in relinquishment.  This has always been the

norm for monks.

Once one has conformed in this way, clearly one is in accord with the Buddhist
teaching, but one should not cling greedily or hold fast to it.  If you long to
attain Buddhahood, or to obtain such a thing as enlightenment, it is like your
hand touching fire.

Manjusri said, “Those who create ideas of Buddha or Dharma will surely harm
themselves.  This is why Manjusri drew a sword in front of Gautama, and
Angulimalya* brandished a knife against the Buddha.  As it is said, a
bodhisattva commits the five acts that bring immediate uninterrupted
retribution, yet does not enter uninterrupted hell—that is the non-
interruption of mystical experience; it is not the same as the uninterrupted
hell of those who commit the five deadly crimes.**