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.

The Ratana

The Ratana


The Ratana means the Triple Gems : The Buddha, The Dhamma and The Sangha.


Buddha : Self-explanatory - it means The Awakened One or The Enlightened One.

Dhamma : The Teachings of the Buddha, the (Ultimate) Truth, the laws of nature.

Sangha : Nowadays, this term is very mis-used. It does NOT mean ALL the Buddhists ie. monks, nuns, lay people.


Nor does it mean the whole monastic order. ie. monks and nuns only.



As The Buddha proclaimed in the Ratana Sutta,

"Those eight individuals praised by the virtuous,

They constitute four pairs ( Stream-entry/Sotapanna, Once-returner/Sakadagami, Non-returner/Anagami and Fully Enlightened/Arahant)......."



So,what The Sangha really means is The Noble Ones - those who have at least reached the stream-entry -- the first stage of enlightenment, who sees the Dhamma.

( Read The Ratana Sutta - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2006/09/ratana-sutta-buddha.html)

It may not be just the monks and nuns, it can also be lay people - so long as they see the Dhamma.

For me, I'm even stricter on that term.

I take it to mean only the Arahants - the fully Enlightened ones.


The role of the Buddha is to give love - by teaching/expounding the Dhamma to the world.

The Dhamma is to bring happiness cos Dhamma brings immense happiness and joy if and when you can truly and fully comprehend and see it.

The Sangha is to be at peace.

They are peaceful people who helps to bring peace to the world through their ways, actions, deeds and mannerisms.

And that's the Ratana - The Triple (Precious) Gems :

Purity ( Buddha ), Truth/Wisdom ( Dhamma ) and Light ( Sangha )

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










"Our values and worth as human beings comes from our morality, our virtue and our behaviour.

People with moral virtue are people of value.

Wherever they live, everything is at peace, at ease."

- Ajahn Maha Boowa

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"The gift of Truth (Dhamma) excels all other gifts.

The flavour of Truth (Dhamma) excels all other flavours.

The pleasure in Truth (Dhamma) excels all other pleasures.

He who has destroyed craving overcomes all sorrow."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 354










"By day shines the sun;

By night shines the moon;

In regalia shines the king;

In meditation shines the Arahant;

But the Buddha in his glory shines at all times,

By day and by night."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 387










"The Bhikkhu who, while still young,

Devotes himself to the Buddha's Teaching,

Illumines this world.

Like the moon freed from a cloud."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 382

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"Good is the sight of the Noble Ones;

To live with them is always a pleasure."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 206









"Rare is birth as a human being.

Hard is the life of mortals.

Hard is the hearing of the Sublime Truth (Dhamma).

Rare is the appearance of the Buddhas."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 182










"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

Maitre-light

Maitre-light


I noticed something very interesting about smokers -


Whenever they run out of lighter, they will, and can approach any other smokers, even people
they do not know, and ask, "Have you got light?" And if the other smoker has got one, they will
respond automatically by lighting up the cigarettes for them.

It's like a norm for smokers.



Please don't misunderstand - I'm not promoting or encouraging smoking - it's destructive and bad for health, not forgetting all the damage it does to our environment and Mother Earth.


But there's no need for us to ostracise them either.


The nicotine is addictive, and it's a habit hard to kick.


It's like a drug.


As a matter of fact, it is a drug.

And an intoxicating one at that.


So much so that it mars and clouds the judgement and minds of the smokers that they do not realise they're tarring their lungs.




Anyway, back to the subject :


This entry is not about smoking.


Rather, I'm using it as a simile : When you need a 'light' and someone is there to offer it to you.

People ask me what's the meaning of the name of my blog, "Maitre-light", and why do I name it thus.


Maitre - friend, loving-kindness.


The light of a friend, of loving-kindness.



When you're down and troubled, confused and in 'darkness', not knowing what to do, anxious, stressed and worried,


Don't you wish someone would light up the path for you?


For the light of a friend to show you the way?


To shed some light on your problems and worries?


To bring some light to your world of darkness, to make you happy and bring a smile to your face?

That's the meaning of the name of this blog, and the reason for it, and for writing this blog.

(read "Writing This Blog" ... http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2007/01/writing-this-blog_03.html)




To hopefully bring some light and cheer to every one's lives, and maybe even to the whole world.


If it can help and benefit even just only one of you, bring love, happiness/joy and peace to your life, encouraging you to question and to investigate, to become a better person, then the purpose/reason for starting and writing this blog would have been fulfilled.



May all be well and happy always.


With loving-kindness,


Maitre-light










"To give Love, To bring Happiness, and to be at Peace."











"Just as the light of a single candle can light up a million zillion other candles without itself getting extinguished,


So too the love, kindness, compassion, joy and peace of one


Can spread to the whole world."

















"Be a lamp upon yourself :


Be the lamp that shines when the world is in darkness and in gloom;


Be the lamp that shines to help others who are lost along the way;


Be the lamp that shines to guide others on the right path;


Be the lamp that shines."











"Buried deep within our hearts is a light -


A light of love, of kindness, of compassion, of joy, and of peace.


Let this light of yours within you shine -


Shine brightly, shine brilliantly.


Let it permeate through each and every cell in your body and illuminate your entire being -


Filling you up with love, with kindness, with compassion, with joy, and with peace.


Now share it with those around you - your friends, your family and your loved ones,


And fill them up with love, kindness, compassion, joy and peace.


And then together,


Spread it to the whole world.


Let it bring love, kindness, compassion, joy and peace


Back to this place we call 'Home', once again.


Let the light within you shine."











"This little light of mine I'm gonna let it shine;



This little light of mine I'm gonna let it shine;



This little light of mine I'm gonna let it shine;



Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine !"

The Tree (Part 3)

The Tree (Part 3)


On Good Friday 2008, I met a Brazilian couple.

While showing them around, they mentioned about the jackfruit - that it should not be growing on a tree.

Curious, I asked them why.

They said cos it's so big and heavy.


Thinking about it now as I write this entry, I think we ought to marvel at the wonders of nature and be like the jackfruit tree :

No matter how big and heavy the fruit is, we bear it. (Read : No matter how difficult the path/practice is, we persevere and be resolute).

Unlike some trees, which can't bear the weight of their own fruits. (Read : When the going gets tough, they give up.)

Then there are also others, which bear fruits for their own self-destruction. (Read : They go the wrong way.)

Which tree are you?
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"In the final analysis, what can lead a person astray, or what can guide one on the right path is nothing but his own mind."
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- Venerable Ajahn Mun




"Whether we practise the way rightly or wrongly is entirely up to each one of us -

In no way does it depend on the Lord Buddha and the Savakas (Arahants)."

- Venerable Ajahn Mun





"As an elephant in the battlefield withstands the arrows shot from a bow,

Even so will I endure abuse.

Indeed many people are without morality and discipline."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 320





"Endure suffering, you end suffering.

Spend your blessings, you end your blessings."





"Endurance is one of the most difficult disciplines,

But it is to the one who endures that the final victory comes."

- The Buddha





"People gain ease (Nibbana) by following the path of difficulty;

People gain difficulty by following the path of ease - Suffering."

- The Buddha




"The 3 P's : Patience, Perseverance, Practise."





"Do not think lightly of evil, saying, 'It will not come to me.'

Even a water-pot is filled by the falling of drops.

Likewise the fool, gathering it drop by drop,

Fills himself with evil."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 121





"Even an evil person may still find happiness

So long as his evil deed does not bear fruit;

But when his evil deed does bear fruit,

He will meet with evil consequences.


Even a good person may still meet with suffering

So long as his good deed does not bear fruit;

But when it does bear fruit,

He will reap the benefits of his good deeds."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 119,120





"The foolish man, who, on account of false views,

Scorns the teaching of the Arahants, the Noble Ones, and the Righteous,

Produces fruit like the bamboo,

Only for self-destruction."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 164





"By yearning for the future, and lamenting the past,

The foolish withers, like rattan that is still green being cut down."

- The Buddha, Samyutta Nikaya





"Subjected to change are all conditioned things,

Impermanence is the nature of all things.

So hasten your practice, and strive forth with diligence and without delay;

For the one who sees the Dhamma will be awaken, and will be Free."