Do You Believe in God?

Do You Believe in God?


There are many ways to answer this question, but I'm going to narrow it down to 2 :

It all depends on how a person define the word 'God'.


1) If 'God' implies a Supreme Being/Creator, then my answer is, "Nah, I believe in myself."

BUT,

2) If "God' means 'Good Old Dhamma (Truth)', then my reply is, "Oh yes! Definitely!"







"By self do you censure yourself ;

By self do you examine yourself ;

Self, indeed, is the protector of self.

Self, indeed, is one's refuge.

Control, therefore, your own self.

As a merchant controls the noble steed."

- The Buddha







"By oneself is evil done,

By oneself is one defiled.

By oneself is evil left undone,

By oneself is one purified.

Purity and Impurity depends on oneself.

No one can purify (or impurify) another."

- The Buddha






"Therefore, Ananda, each of you should remain with your self as an island, your self as your refuge, without anything else as a refuge.

Remain with the Dhamma as an island, the Dhamma as your refuge, without anything else as a refuge."

- The Buddha, Samyutta Nikaya XLVII.13

"Thus, unlike a religion where trust involves the belief that the deity will provide for one's salvation - either through grace or as a reward for unquestioning obedience,

Trust in the Buddha and belief in His Teachings means that one's salvation is ultimately one's own responsibility."

- Thanissaro Bhikkhu

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"There is no power greater than the results of our own actions."

- Ajahn Maha Boowa Nanasampanno









"Man himself is responsible for his own happiness and misery.

He creates his own heaven and hell.

He is Master of his own destiny; child of his past, and parent of his future."

- Sayadaw U Thittila
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"Beings knowing wrong as wrong and what is right as right, embrace
(right) views and go to a blissful state."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 319






"The gift of Dhamma excels ALL other gifts."

- The Buddha







"Dhamma gives the world nothing but support and protection."

- Ajahn Maha Boowa Nanasampanno







"Dhamma is what will make this world an oasis of Goodness."








"Dhamma represents The Truth.

If we relinquish all that is false and hold only to that which is true,

Then both the people in our society and the monks (and nuns) who uphold the sasana (the Dhamma - The Teachings of The Buddha)

Will live in peace."

- Ajahn Maha Boowa Nanasampanno

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"May the Dhamma last as long as my sons and grandsons,

And the sun, and the moon will be,

And may the people follow the path of the Dhamma,

For if one follows the path,

Happiness in this and in the other world will be attained."

- King Asoka .

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"The opportunity to listen to the Dhamma is considered valuable both because it is rare and because it yields great benefits.

Hard is the chance to hear the True Dhamma."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 182

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"There are those 5 rewards in listening to the Dhamma.

Which 5?

- One hears what one has not heard before.

- One clarifies what one has heard before.

- One gets rid of doubt.

- One's views are made straight.

- One's mind grows serene.

These are the 5 rewards in listening to the Dhamma."

- The Buddha, Anguttara Nikaya verse 202

AND,

"To obtain these benefits, one must come to the Dhamma both with the Right kammic background and with the Right attitude."

- The Buddha

Where's God?

Where's God?


One day, after a discourse, when Maitreya was about to leave, a man quickly got up from his seat and asked to allow his question, saying that it is very important.

Maitreya kindly agreed.

Then, the man, in a loud and booming voice, asked, "Can you tell me where's God?!"


Smiling, and in a calm and composed manner, Maitreya replied, "Sir, is it important? So what you know where God is. Does it solve any problem? What problem does it solve?"

At that, the man reminded Maitreya in a challenging tone that it's Q and A. (Questions and Answer)


Responding in a gentle, serene and peaceful manner, Maitreya replied again,

"I don't deny it's Q and A, that's why I'm asking. What makes you think Q & A means all of you ask and I answer? Why can't it be the other way round - I ask, and all of you answer. It's still Q & A, is it not? Besides, why can't I answer a question with a question? It's still an answer, is it not? Why be so fixed on your views, ideals, opinions and beliefs?"

(Read Perception and Perspective - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2008/06/perception-and-perspective.html )

"Even if I were to answer your question, would you believe me?" Maitreya continued.

"Well ......... of course!" said the man, stuttering, unsure of himself.

"Why should you believe me?"

"Cos they said you're The Buddha, that you know everything!" came the unhesitating reply.

"You believe just because people say I'm the Buddha? That I know everything? So if everyone here says they're the Buddha and that they know everything, are you going to believe everyone of them, and everything they say, as well? Never blindly believe."

(Read The Kalama Sutta - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2006/12/kalama-sutta-karma.html )

"Are you gullible?" Maitreya went on.

"No! Of course not!" replied the man in defense.

"Do you want to be gullible, then?"

"Of course not!"

"Good! Then avoid and never blindly believe others. Find out for yourself. If you want to know how to find out for yourself, I can teach and show you the way, that is only if you're willing to learn.

But, if you only want to blindly believe, then don't come to me. Come to me only if you want to investigate and find out for yourself.

But may I suggest that before you find out where's God, find out about yourself first, alright?"

And that's how Maitreya show the man where God is.


Do you want to know where's God?

Go find out yourself !

"We need not struggle to find happiness and contentment in other places or other realms - which is merely creating images to deceive ourselves, causing us to develop a strong craving which promotes the cause of suffering that becomes the greed which burns us and causes us so much misery.

The happiness that is known and experienced in the heart is a happiness which is already sufficient and complete."

- Ajahn Maha Boowa

"If we look for suffering, we'll find suffering.

If we look for happiness, we'll find happiness.

Whatever we really look for, we find.

After all, these things all exist in the world, don't they?

So why shouldn't we be able to find them?

- Ajahn Maha Boowa






"We're not here to make money,

Or to get married and have babies;

To make friends and/or enemies,

Or to eat,drink and be merry.

We're here to find a way out -

So as to help others find their way out."

Taking Refuge

Taking Refuge


"For him with acquisition of Insight,

Three things are abandoned, namely,

Self-illusion, Doubt and

Indulgence in (wrongful) rites and ceremonies/precepts and practices,

Whatever there are.

From the four states of misery, he is absolutely freed,

And is incapable of committing the six heinous crimes.

Truly, in the Sangha is this precious jewel.

By this truth, may there be happiness !"



When I first started/decided to take refuge in the The Triple Gems, I have no problems with the first 2 : The Buddha and The Dhamma.

The one I had difficulty with was The Sangha.

Seeing how the monastics are nowadays, I find it hard to take refuge in them. (Read "Why Can't They" - 27/07/09)


One day, while I was doing my prostration, a thought struck me :

"If The Sangha means the current monastics, then forget it. No way am I going to take refuge in them. BUT, if the The Sangha means the Arahants, the True spiritual warriors like Ajahn Sao, Ajahn Mun, Ajahn Khao, Ajahn Boowa, then there's no issue or problem at all !"
(Read "The Ratana" - 29/06/09)


With that thought, I was very happy, very at ease, very relieved and freed.

And I gladly take refuge in The Buddha, The Dhamma and The Sangha - The Triple Gems ever since.


If you're going to take refuge in any of the current monastics, my suggestion is, make sure they're worthy of reverential respect.
(Read "Respect" - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2008/06/respect.html )

Use your power of discernment and The Kalama Sutta to guide you.

Avoid blindly believing what others say. (Read "The Kalama Sutta" - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2006/12/kalama-sutta-karma.html )

Observe.

Avoid being fooled or deceived by outward appearances. (Read "How To Be Ugly" - 09/03/09)

It's not about rank and titles (Read "Of Names and Titles" - 16/02/09),

young or old, high monk/lama or senior monk/lama, or miraculous powers and abilities.

(Read "How Foolish Can We Get (Part 1) : Super Power or Super Ignorant" - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2008/02/how-foolish-can-we-get-part-1-super.html )


Just as The Buddha said in Samyutta Nikaya - Kosala Samyutta,

"The monk though young he may be, if he is high in moral attainments, he is very strong and powerful."


Make sure they're not a ' Tuccho Pothila ' i.e. Empty Scripture, who can only sprout scriptures and the Tipitaka but does not know what they're saying i.e. does not practise what they teach.

(Read "Talk Talk Talk" - 26/01/09 and "Teacher and The Teachings (Part 2)" - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2008/05/teacher-and-teachings-part-2-teachings.html )



Also, know that if you bow or take refuge in a greedy immoral monastic who's unrestrained and still obsessed by fame, fortune, power, glory and the senses, and bears ill-will, enmity and hate, you're actually bowing down and taking refuge in Mara - the evil one, and the defilements.


As The Buddha Himself said,

"A gathering of bhikkhus that does not respect one another (or others) or that does not behave in accordance with the Dhamma and the Vinaya appointed to be their teacher in my place, cannot be called the Tathagata's bhikkhus. They are False bhikkhus, only pretending to be real ones."

So do be careful.

* ( P.s. In short, you don't bow to every yellow/saffron robe you see.)









"Not by a shaven head does an undisciplined man, who utters lies, become a monk. How can one who is full of desire and greed be a monk?"

- The Buddha

"He who wears the yellow robes, without being freed from impurities, who is devoid of self control and truth, is not worthy of it."

- The Buddha

"Merely donning the yellow robe cannot make a bhikkhu of a man,

Nor can name or fame be the sign of morality or Dhamma."

- Venerable Ajahn Mun

"For if the Acariya himself goes wrong, he may also lead many others in the wrong direction.

But if he does what is right, he can equally lead countless others in the right direction."

- Venerable Ajahn Mun

"Acariya means one who trains and develops his behaviour, which is displayed externally in his actions and manners, in such a way that those who depend on him can hold him up as an example to be followed.

The practice of a monk who has no correct, firmly established principles within him is likely to lack any real purpose that enables him to determine whether he will reach a safe shore, or whether he will meet various dangers ahead.

He is like a boat without a rudder that is not likely to be able to take him where he wants to go."

- Venerable Ajahn Mun

"He is not thereby an Elder (Thera) merely because his head is grey.

He who is ripe only in years is called 'one grown old in vain.'

Only a wise man who comprehends The Four Noble Truths and The Dhamma,

Who is harmless and virtuous, who restrains his senses and has rid himself of moral defilements,

Is indeed called a Thera."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 260, 261







"He is not a wise man just because he talks much;

Only he who is peaceful, free from enmity, and does no harm to others,

Is called a wise man."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 258

"He abused me, he beat me, he defeated me, he robbed me',

In those who harbour such thoughts,

Hatred is not appeased."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 3
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"Any loose act, any corrupt practice,

A life of dubious holiness -

None of these is of much benefit."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 312
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"Being involved in construction work and asking for money from the people are NOT the duties and responsibilities of a recluse who must strive for nothing else but mind development and insight (so as to help others)."

- Venerable Ajahn Mun
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"Be like a dry sponge.

But be a sponge that absorbs clean, clear, pure, fresh water.

Don't be a sponge that absorbs dirty, muddy water."

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"He who has gone for refuge to the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha,

Sees with Right knowledge the 4 Noble Truths : Sorrow, the Cause of Sorrow, the Transcending of Sorrow and the Noble Eightfold Path which leads to the Cessation of Sorrow.

This, indeed, is refuge, secure.

This, indeed, is refuge supreme.

By seeking such refuge,

One is released from all sorrow."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 190-192

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"We monks fall into the same three sorts :

The first sort includes those who are ordained only in name, only as a ceremony, who don't aim for the Dhamma, for reasonability, or for what's good or right. They aim simply at living an easy life because they don't have to work hard like lay people ......... They end up filling themselves and those around them with suffering and evil.

The 2nd sort of monk aims at what is reasonable. If he can manage to gain release from suffering, that's what he wants. He believes that there is merit and so he wants it. He believes that there is evil, so he wants really to understand good and evil. He is fairly hard-working and intelligent. He follows the teachings of the Dhamma and Vinaya well ......... has faith in the principles of the Dhamma and Vinaya, is intent on his duties, and believes in what is reasonable.

The 3rd sort of monk becomes ordained out of a true sense of faith and conviction. Even if he may not have had much of an education from any teachers in the beginning, once he has become ordained and gains instruction from his teachers or from the text that gives a variety of reasons showing how to act so as not to head toward evil and how to strive so as to head toward the good, he immediately takes it as a lesson for training himself.

The more he studies from his teachers, the stronger his faith and conviction grow, to the point where he develops a firm, single-minded determination to gain release from suffering and stress ......... He's very persistent and hardworking. Whatever he does, he does with his full heart, aiming at reason, aiming at the Dhamma."

- Ajahn Maha Boowa, Things As They Are, page 188-189)

Why Can't They?

Why Can't They?


There's something I noticed during my evening walks in the park near my house : Groups of monks from the nearby monastery/temple chit chatting happily as they cut through the park.

Initially, I thought they're doing their walking meditation.

But can't be, cos' they're talking and laughing away.

Oh well, maybe a leisurely evening stroll in the park, then - to get in touch with nature .........

But no, I was wrong.

Cos' they 'disappeared' after that!

Being the nosey parker me, I always wondered, "Where did they go?" or "Where are they heading?"


One day, I got my answer. (* Actually, many occasions after that as well)

I was going to the nearby hypermarket at the central shopping mall in my estate to get some things.

As I go down the escalator, I saw.

A monk, laden with shopping bags on one hand, holding and slurping his bubble tea with the other.

Then, I saw more joining him - all laden with shopping bags, talking excitedly about all the 'treasures' they found and bought, like some aunties out on a shopping spree.

As I make my way through the different aisles of the hypermarket, I saw one putting 2 canisters of potato chips in his basket which is filled with other titbits and cup noodles.

It looks like they're having a pyjamas party, since it's already past evening time.

When I went to the fruits/vegetables section, I saw one looking longingly and temptingly at the prepacked durians.

The durian seller, at the hypermarket, seeing how the monk was so attracted to his durians, kept egging and encouraging the monk to buy.

Don't they know according to The Vinaya (Rules for the monastics set down by The Buddha) monks are supposed to eat only one meal a day, and only before noon?


Somewhere in 2007, at Suntec City,

There was a talk-cum-puja by some renowned guru monk, and I saw hordes of monks and nuns in their shaven heads, robes and shoes/boots swarming the Suntec Food Court -

Very interested, and asking about the different food, and busily ordering them.

It was 2+ - 3pm.

Please don't misunderstand, I'm not criticising.

The above are just only 2 instances of the many observations which I've made and witnessed on many different occasions.

I'm just stating what I observed, and questioning.

It's kind of strange, isn't it -

If I as a lay person, can go on one meal a day, 3 - 4 times a week, sometimes eating only a fruit or fasting, why can't they?

If I can resist and be unaffected by all the arrays of food, titbits and durians around me, why can't they?

If I can make do with water, and not care about bubble tea, why can't they?

If I as a lay person can live simply, and be grateful and content with the little that I have, and not be affected by all the sensual pleasures and sensory concerns, why can't they?

If I can do without air-con, sleep in a NON-airconditioning room, why can't they?

AND, if I can be happy and content with exercising in a public park and not have my premises transformed into a swimming pool and badminton court for my leisure and pleasure, really - WHY CAN'T THEY ? ( and at a temple's ground at that)


You may feel that I'm imposing my views/perceptions of what a monastic should be, but don't forget : Precisely so - They Are The Monastics.

They made the vow to renounce. I didn't.

And as Bhikkhu Vissudhacara said in his book Dana (Giving),

"The monks keep 227 precepts which restrain them from indulgence in sensual pleasures.

As such, lay Buddhist thus consider monks to be in a better position to cultivate mental purity."

Since they've renounced, or made the vow to renounce, shouldn't they be setting a good example like The Great Buddha and His Savaka Arahants had, 2600 years ago?

Or at least, upkeep, uphold, maintain and abide by The Vinaya, their code of ethics, and live simply?

After all, I assume that's the reason why they renounced, Right?

To walk/follow in the footsteps of The Great Buddha - to be simple (and content).

Unless of course they have other unknown reasons or motives.

They should have known way before hand what it means/entails to be a monastic.

Cos' they are the ones who made the decision to renounce.

No one put a gun on their heads and force them to renounce.

If it's their free will, free choice and own decision to become a monastic, why aren't they upkeeping, upholding, maintaining, and abiding by their code of discipline - The Vinaya?

Why are they not respecting, and breaking their vows?

And don't forget, the word is, 'RENOUNCE'


Perhaps some people may find I'm too harsh and that they're just trying.

Then I'm afraid they're not trying hard enough.

They just have to TRY Harder.

I'm sorry.

And remember : The maintenance of the monastics are based on the charity of the people.

The monastics should not abuse it.

Secondly, would you trust/have faith in someone who breaks his/her promises/vows?

I know I won't.

Just as The Buddha said to Rahula his son,

"Rahula, just as no water remains in a vessel that is upturned,

NOT even a vestige of virtue will remain in a person who utters lies."


And as I wrote in "Truth/Honesty" - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2009/07/truth-honesty.html,

"We need to admit/acknowledge our mistakes then we can do something about them."

It's just like a parent disciplining his/her child.

If the children do wrong, and we close our eyes/one eye on it,

We'll end up with a future generation of maybe very smart,

BUT spoilt, selfish, self-centred, egoistic, stingy, greedy and money-grabbing brats -

Which is what's already happening now.


As Ajahn Boowa said,

"Who is there to uphold the Sasana of the Lord Buddha except we who have been ordained and are in the lead of all others -

There is no one else in the world who is able to do so,

For if the monks are UNable to attain Magga (Path), Phala (Fruition) and Nibbana (Freedom) by means of the way of practice,

And if they only have discouragement and laziness,

The Sasana will just collapse."

(Ajahn Maha Boowa, 'Forest Dhamma' page 141)



And as The Buddha said,

"From corrupt Dhamma comes corrupt discipline,

Corrupt discipline, corrupt Dhamma." (Read "The Future" - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2008/11/future.html )

If everyone doesn't question and closes their eyes on what the errant monastics are doing now, and blindly devote,

Then Buddhism/The Buddha's Teachings/The Dhamma - The Truth,

Which The Great Teacher so painstakingly discovered, taught and left behind,

Would go down the drain and be tarnished.

Cos' most people nowadays look up to the monastics as replicas of The Buddha, and honour and respect them thus.

When in Reality,

The monastics are just fortunate enough to ride on the good name of The Buddha and His Savaka Arahants,

And what they - The Buddha and the Savaka Arahants - represent :

Truth, Morality, Simplicity/Contentment, Renunciation and Purity.

And taking advantage of it.


People assume the monastics imply the Sangha, reflect the Sangha, represent the Sangha and Buddhism,

Which is a very very wrong view. (Read "The Ratana" - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2009/06/ratana.html)

As a concerned Buddhist, and someone who abides by and found immense Truth, Joy and Happiness in The Buddha's Teachings,

I'm just wondering.

And questioning.

If you are me, won't you - wonder, and question, too?

PS. Please know that I'm not suggesting that all monastics are such. As mentioned in the entry, I'm just stating what I witnessed and observed.




"Bhikkhus who hope for inward peace must regard themselves as worthless rags (in the eyes of worldly men)."

- Venerable Ajahn Mun





"Monks who receive food and other requisites from devotees also have a duty to fulfill -

By striving hard, studying the Dhamma and practising meditation to purify their minds."

- Bhikkhu Vissudhacara





"The virtue that we should expect to gain does not come simply from wearing the yellow robe ......... it depends solely on us training ourselves."

- Ajahn Khao





"The people do not owe the monks anything.

They are not offering food (etc) so that the monks can enjoy life and have a good time."

- Bhikkhu Vissudhacara





"But if monks like this get stuck on their material possessions -

Robes, Alms food, Lodgings, and Medicine -

Without behaving themselves properly in line with the sacrifices that other people have made for their sake,

Then they're NOT really contemplatives.

They're simply taking advantage of their donors."

- Ajahn Lee Dhammadharo

"Being involved in construction work and asking for money from the people are NOT the duties and responsibilities of a recluse

Who must strive for NOTHING else but mind development and insight (so as to help others).

- Venerable Ajahn Mun





"Not by a shaven head does an undisciplined man, who utters lies, become a monk.

How can one who is full of desire and greed be a monk?"

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 264





"He who wears the yellow robe, without being freed from impurity, who is devoid of self-control and truth, is NOT worthy of it."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 9





"Outside/External ordination is NOT equal to inside/internal ordination.

You may be ordained outside, but if you do not 'ordain' yourself inside,

You're NOT a monk."





"If, an individual, while not being a holy, perfected saint, were to claim to be a saint, he is a cheat of the whole universe, including the world of the Brahmas.

Indeed, he is the worst of outcastes.

Such persons are indeed characterised as outcastes.

Let me tell you, they ARE the worst outcastes."

- The Buddha, The Vasala Sutta - The Discourse of Outcaste





"Many men wearing the yellow robe up to their necks who have an evil disposition and are unrestrained in thought, word and deed

Are reborn in a woeful state on account of their evil deeds."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 307





"Just as kusa grass, wrongly grasped, cuts the hand,

Even so the monkhood wrongly handled drags one to a woeful state."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 311





"Surely the path that leads to worldly gain is one,

And the path that leads to Nibbana is another;

Understanding this, the bhikkhu, the disciple of The Buddha,

Should not rejoice in worldly favours,

But cultivate detachment."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 75





"Therefore a bhikkhu who wishes his own passionlessness (Nibbana) should eradicate craving."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 343





"Though receiving little,

If a bhikkhu does not despise his own gains,

Even the gods praise such a one who is pure in livelihood and is NOT slothful."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 366





"MEDITATE, O Bhikkhu! Be NOT heedless.

Don't let your mind whirl on sensual pleasures."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 371




"It is not important what clothes one wears.

So long as one is pure and freed from ignorance."

- The Buddha





"Though gaily decked if he should live in peace,

(With passions) subdued, (and senses) controlled,

Certain (of the 4 Paths of Sainthood), perfectly pure,

Laying aside the rod (in his relations) towards all living beings,

A Brahmana indeed is he, an ascetic is he,

A Bhikkhu is he."

- The Buddha, Dhammapda verse 142

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***Note : During The Buddha's time, when monks misbehave,

The lay people would stop supporting them until they prove themselves worthy and start behaving appropriately.

Truth / Honesty

Truth / Honesty



In the previous entry 'The 1st Truth' - 13 July 2009, I mentioned that, "Without acknowledging, we can't do anything about it. Only when we admit/acknowledge, can we then do something about it."

The same actually applies to our flaws/weaknesses - Only when we can acknowledge our faults, can we then correct it.

However, often our ego is too huge, our vanity too strong.

It gets in the way and blinds us and clouds our minds/eyes to see/admit we are wrong/defiled.

That we have imperfections.

That we do make mistakes.

We try to cover up so that we don't see it, and others don't see it.


It's like you have a hole in your pants and someone points it out to you.

We have to admit it.

But many don't.

Or refuse to.


We rather choose to ignore, say it's still small, refuse to believe, or deny its existence.

We do nothing about it.

Before long, the small hole become so big and very soon, it exposes our whole butt,

When a stitch in time could save 9.

But then again, maybe it'll be the latest fashion.

Who knows?

Cos' people nowadays are exposing all the strange parts of their body for the whole world to see anyway.










"An aspirant to Nibbana accepts the Truth,

Being ready to face it and admit it,

Despite the fact that the Truth is sometimes unpleasant and hurts his defilements or ego."

- Venerable Ajahn Maha Boowa Nanasampanno









"Acknowledge, Forgive and Learn never to do it again."

- The Buddha








"What do you expect? What are you going to do about it?

What can you learn from it?"







"If you cannot see the kamma here, in what realm of heaven or hell will you ever learn to accept it?"

- Ajahn Maha Boowa Nanasampanno







"Man's mind is given to so much self-deceit (and conceit) that he does not want to admit his own weaknesses.

He will try to find some excuse to justify his action and to create an illusion that he is blameless.

If a man really wants to be free, he must have the courage (and humility) to admit his own weaknesses."

- Venerable Dr K Sri Dhammananda









"A mountain, no matter how tall, is always beneath the feet of the person who climbs it."

- Ajahn Maha Boowa Nanasampanno









"For those who are conceited and heedless, the corruptions increase."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 292









"If you want to gain release from suffering and stress in this lifetime, then see the dangers of your own errors, your complacency, and your lack of mindfulness."

- Ajahn Maha Boowa Nanasampanno

The 1st Truth

The 1st Truth



Under the 4 Noble Truths which The Buddha taught/expounded/proclaimed to the world, the hardest for people to accept is the 1st Truth : There is Suffering.

Honestly, if you think about it, The Buddha taught/say it as it is : There is suffering.

We are the ones who can't accept.

And the reason we can't accept, or find it hard to accept is because we're in denial - deluding ourselves, and refusing to accept Truth cos' we crave for the pleasant, don't want the unpleasant.


There is a reason The Buddha puts it as the 1st Truth; and the reason is because it's True.

He wants us to face up to the Truth - Reality, just as He had.

Really see it in our face; face up to it. See It. Acknowledge it.

Cos' without acknowledging, we can't do anything about it.

Only when we admit/acknowledge, can we then do something about it.


I remember when I was a little girl, my sister who's still in school wants to work; yet the working people say they rather study.

I also recall a school teacher told us once that studying is easy cos' we only have exams and homework to do; working is much harder.

That was when I was young.


Fast forward to present day : One night when I was walking home after class, I overheard a conversation by 3 teenage girls at a traffic junction. One was heard telling the other 2 that she can't wait to be 21 years old, then she can get married and do 'all the things'.

Whatever 'the things' mean.

Yet, I know of married people who wants out.

It's so strange : Single people wants to be married, married people wants to be single; old wants to be young, while young wants to be old.

All that I know is : Married - you suffer. Single - you suffer. Young suffer. Old suffer. Study suffer. Work suffer. Diarrhoea suffer. Constipation suffer.

Everything is Suffering !

Simply because, "There is Suffering."


Just as The Buddha said.

This is a Truth (Medicine) we all have to swallow no matter how bitter.

And as Ajahn Mun said, "One who is delivered from suffering must be able to face whatever degree of this Noble Truth (ie. There is Suffering) that comes to him."

Some people feel that repositioning it will make it better.

Really? Honestly?

Perhaps.

Perhaps repositioning it may help to make it easier to swallow,

But either way, we still have to swallow, Right?

Whichever position you put it, it's still a Truth we all have to face at the end of the day.

Ultimately, Sooner or later.

For me, since I have the 'illness' (of suffering), I rather swallow it the hard way.

And sooner.

So long as it treats my 'disease'.

Truth, to me, is Truth.

Whichever position you put it, it's still the Truth -

There is suffering.

"Many people have charged Buddhism with being pessimistic because the 4 Truths start out with Stress & Suffering,

But this charge misses the fact the 1st Truth is part of a strategy of diagnosis and therapy focusing on the basic problem in life so as to offer a solution to it."

- Thanissaro Bhikkhu

"Truth does not depend on beliefs or opinions of any kind.

It is true according to immutable natural principles."

- Ajahn Maha Boowa Nanasampanno

"You want to know the Truth?

But can you accept the Truth?"

"You can run, but you can't hide.

Truth is Truth."

"Suffering is a disease and therefore can be cured completely."

- The Buddha

"Only through suffering can you then know suffering."

- Ajahn Chah

"Amidst the harshness, We learn."

"Where is the world?

The world is situated on suffering."

- The Buddha

"Wherever there is dukkha (suffering), there also is manifestation of kamma,

And those who are free of dukkha are also free of kamma.

That is, The Buddha and the Arahants."

- Ajahn Maha Boowa Nanasampanno

Buddhahood or Arahantship

Buddhahood or Arahantship


In Ajahn Mun's Biography, it was revealed/written that as Ajahn Mun progress and intensify in his Meditation,

He recollected his past vow and intention to become a Buddha,

And how "this underlying attachment made him reluctant to strive for the attainment of Nibbana in his present life." (Venerable Acariya Mun Bhuridatta Thera - A Spiritual Biography by Acariya Maha Boowa Nanasampanno, pg 18)

Yet at the same time,

He also realised that the fulfillment of this vow would take a very long time -

Involving aeon's of going round in the cycle of samsara,

Being born and reborn over and over again,

And going through all kinds of pain, misery and suffering.

As such, he renounced this original vow,

And somehow, it opens the way for his meditation to progress smoothly thereafter.

After his enlightenment,

Ajahn Mun also realised the true nature of Absolute Purity (Nibbana) -

"That it is perfectly equal for all, irrespective of conventional designations such as young and old, or high and low.

From The Lord Buddha on down to the youngest Arahant novice,

All were equal with respect to their state of purity.

ALL are equally pure."

- (Venerable Acariya Mun Bhuridatta Thera - A Spiritual Biography by Acariya Maha Boowa Nanasampanno - pg 175)


When I analysed and thought about the above,

I realised that in terms of enlightenment,

There is NO difference between that of The Buddha and The Arahants -

Both are equally enlightened, and out of samsara and dukkha (suffering).

And that's also the reason why The Buddha is also known as Arahato (ie. The Worthy One, The Fully Enlightened One).

The difference lies in the 10 Paramitas (perfections) and The path to Awakening :

While The Arahants are generally considered to be the disciples of The Buddha,

The Buddha is a Rightly Self-Awakened One.

And, also The Perfect One, or The Perfectly Enlightened One -

Having accomplished the 10 paramitas (perfections) through His countless rounds of births and rebirths.

I don't know about you,

But to me,

As long as I can get out from the cycle of samsara;

From suffering;

From the rounds of births and rebirths,

Arahantship is good enough for me.




"10 paramitas :

- Generosity (Liberality),

- Morality (Virtues),

- Renunciation,

- Loving-Kindness (Forgiveness),

- Truth (Honesty),

- Wisdom (Discernment),

- Equanimity,

- Determination (Resoluteness, Persistence, Perseverance),

- Energy (Effort, Diligence, Exertion),

- Patience (Endurance, Forebearance)."





"The task of the religion is done,

The holy life complete;

There is no further task to do."

- The Buddha





"When we have studied the Dhamma to the attainment of release, that's all there is to study."

- Ajahn Maha Boowa

"I have overcome all, I know all,

I am detached from all, I have given up all;

I am liberated from moral defilements, having eradicated craving.

Having comprehended The Four Noble Truths by myself,

Whom shall I call my Teacher?"

- The Buddha, Dhammapda verse 353




** Of course there are those who for whatever reasons, want to be a Buddha, despite knowing the countless rounds of rebirths and suffering.

BUT, there are also others whose sole purpose is to get out.

Who saw.