| 1) Accumulate merit
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| Each time you come to the temple, you gain a little more merit. It's like putting money in your piggy bank. If you do not come you will not gain.
August 29, 1981 |
Accumulate merit
Each time you come to the temple, you gain a little more merit. It's like putting money in your piggy bank. If you do not come you will not gain.
August 29, 1981
| 2) Purified mind
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| As I converse with various people, I keep my mind always in its purified state, always centered in merit and in Dhamma. No greed, anger, nor delusions are allowed to defile me.
In the purified state, I can see through to the heart of a person's suffering and its causes. With compassion, I offer them insight into their suffering and in doing so, I gain merit. What they do with that knowledge is now up to them. Their kamma is no one else's but their own.
December 11, 1981 |
Purified mind
As I converse with various people, I keep my mind always in its purified state, always centered in merit and in Dhamma. No greed, anger, nor delusions are allowed to defile me.
In the purified state, I can see through to the heart of a person's suffering and its causes. With compassion, I offer them insight into their suffering and in doing so, I gain merit. What they do with that knowledge is now up to them. Their kamma is no one else's but their own.
December 11, 1981
| 3) Make merit and use merit in the right way
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| In order to establish the Buddhajak Center, I had to fight all of the time. Initially it was with the boat thieves. Even now, there is always something to resolve. But through it all, I kept my heart pure by thinking of the merits I have made in the past, the merit I am making in the present, and the merits I plan to make in the future. It gives me the strength to fight for my goals.
This is "using" my merit wisely. In the entire world, no one can help me but me. How do I help myself? By creating virtue and eliminating evil within me.
May 24, 1981 |
Make merit and use merit in the right way
In order to establish the Buddhajak Center, I had to fight all of the time. Initially it was with the boat thieves. Even now, there is always something to resolve. But through it all, I kept my heart pure by thinking of the merits I have made in the past, the merit I am making in the present, and the merits I plan to make in the future. It gives me the strength to fight for my goals.
This is "using" my merit wisely. In the entire world, no one can help me but me. How do I help myself? By creating virtue and eliminating evil within me.
May 24, 1981
| 4) In the front row
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| Make merit now, even if you are "in the back row" when doing so. In the next life, your merit will bring you to the front row. It's up to you where you want to be. Do you want to be in the front or in the back?
April 8, 1981 |
In the front row
Make merit now, even if you are "in the back row" when doing so. In the next life, your merit will bring you to the front row. It's up to you where you want to be. Do you want to be in the front or in the back?
April 8, 1981
| 5) Come reap your merit
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| Invite your friends to come and reap merit at the temple. I feel pity for them, fearing that they may find themselves erroneously treading into an unhappy realm. Persuade them to perform merit so that they will have the opportunity to rise to Heaven or Nibbana.
March 26, 1981 |
Come reap your merit
Invite your friends to come and reap merit at the temple. I feel pity for them, fearing that they may find themselves erroneously treading into an unhappy realm. Persuade them to perform merit so that they will have the opportunity to rise to Heaven or Nibbana.
March 26, 1981
| 6) Succeed through merit
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| Whatever you set out to accomplish, keep your merits in mind. If you possess merit, merit will help you succeed in the things that you do. Merit is your refuge. Center your mind in it and everything will fall in place.
April 4, 1981 |
Succeed through merit
Whatever you set out to accomplish, keep your merits in mind. If you possess merit, merit will help you succeed in the things that you do. Merit is your refuge. Center your mind in it and everything will fall in place.
April 4, 1981
| 7) ?Merit sphere?
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| Reap as much merit as you can. If you fail to do so, in the next life when we meet again, I will recall who did not want to make merit when given the opportunity and now he ends up having very little of it to help him keep up with others.
At the moment, you may fail to realize that your current benefits are resulting from your previously accumulated merits. Transcendental matters cannot be seen by earthly eyes. But once you leave this world, you will be able to see the size of your "merit sphere24" --the more merit accumulated, the larger the size of your merit sphere.
April 5, 1981 |
?Merit sphere?
Reap as much merit as you can. If you fail to do so, in the next life when we meet again, I will recall who did not want to make merit when given the opportunity and now he ends up having very little of it to help him keep up with others.
At the moment, you may fail to realize that your current benefits are resulting from your previously accumulated merits. Transcendental matters cannot be seen by earthly eyes. But once you leave this world, you will be able to see the size of your "merit sphere24" --the more merit accumulated, the larger the size of your merit sphere.
April 5, 1981
| 8) Call upon merit for help
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| All good work takes good planning. When I built the Buddhachakka Center, I had to plan everything very carefully. I knew building an alms house (refectory) at the Buddhajak Center was possible by example of the Most Venerable Luang Por Wat Paknam, who had built a large alms house capable of feeding many monks at his temple. His accomplishment brought him a lot of joy and a lot of merit. Even after his death, it still continues to give him plenty of merit.
I resolved that when I build a temple, I too would create a similar alms house, and to my joy, I was able to do so.
I was not the only one who had attempted to build such an alms house.
Others, like Khun Yai Thongsuk, who was an excellent teacher and was more proficient in giving sermons than even many educated monks, tried to establish one but she found it too difficult.
When I set about my task, I thought of my merits. When I meditated, I called upon my merits to come help me. And I finally succeeded through the support of my merits.
Every success in life is the result of the merits we possess. One who possesses greater merits will rule over one who possesses less. Everything relies on merit. So we should set about making more and more of it as we possibly can. I think about my merits and how it governs my life, and without it I cannot be happy.
Everything around me is complete because I reflect on my merits, and when I meditate I reach out for good resources and good people to come help me complete the mission. When you meditate, you too, should reflect on your merits.
March 1, 1981 |
Call upon merit for help
All good work takes good planning. When I built the Buddhachakka Center, I had to plan everything very carefully. I knew building an alms house (refectory) at the Buddhajak Center was possible by example of the Most Venerable Luang Por Wat Paknam, who had built a large alms house capable of feeding many monks at his temple. His accomplishment brought him a lot of joy and a lot of merit. Even after his death, it still continues to give him plenty of merit.
I resolved that when I build a temple, I too would create a similar alms house, and to my joy, I was able to do so.
I was not the only one who had attempted to build such an alms house.
Others, like Khun Yai Thongsuk, who was an excellent teacher and was more proficient in giving sermons than even many educated monks, tried to establish one but she found it too difficult.
When I set about my task, I thought of my merits. When I meditated, I called upon my merits to come help me. And I finally succeeded through the support of my merits.
Every success in life is the result of the merits we possess. One who possesses greater merits will rule over one who possesses less. Everything relies on merit. So we should set about making more and more of it as we possibly can. I think about my merits and how it governs my life, and without it I cannot be happy.
Everything around me is complete because I reflect on my merits, and when I meditate I reach out for good resources and good people to come help me complete the mission. When you meditate, you too, should reflect on your merits.
March 1, 1981
| 9) Give your utmost in doing good deeds
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| You come to the temple because you have one thing in mind: to build virtues and to gain merit, creating benefits for yourself. You have already committed the time and effort to be at the temple, so while you are here you should reap the maximum benefit. Give your utmost in doing good deeds.
August 20, 1982 |
Give your utmost in doing good deeds
You come to the temple because you have one thing in mind: to build virtues and to gain merit, creating benefits for yourself. You have already committed the time and effort to be at the temple, so while you are here you should reap the maximum benefit. Give your utmost in doing good deeds.
August 20, 1982
| 10) What you do, you get
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| Those of you who take residence at the temple have given up your worldly attachments for the opportunity to be here. Since you have already given up so much, you should make your sacrifice worthwhile by dedicating yourselves fully to doing good deeds.
Chores and tasks are everyone's responsibilities. We should help one another. Never ignore your duty, or put it off for others to do. The task you perform is the merit you gain, not anyone else's. The task others perform is the merit they gain, not anyone else's either. You will take this merit with you to your future existence.
Everything you do in this temple, you do for Buddhism. The work done in this temple belongs to the Lord Buddha. Every chore here, light or heavy, brings you merit. So if there is work to do, help each other finish it so you can find more free time to practice meditation, to read, or to broaden your knowledge so you can become an educated person and be able to relate with others intellectually.
March 1, 1981 |
What you do, you get
Those of you who take residence at the temple have given up your worldly attachments for the opportunity to be here. Since you have already given up so much, you should make your sacrifice worthwhile by dedicating yourselves fully to doing good deeds.
Chores and tasks are everyone's responsibilities. We should help one another. Never ignore your duty, or put it off for others to do. The task you perform is the merit you gain, not anyone else's. The task others perform is the merit they gain, not anyone else's either. You will take this merit with you to your future existence.
Everything you do in this temple, you do for Buddhism. The work done in this temple belongs to the Lord Buddha. Every chore here, light or heavy, brings you merit. So if there is work to do, help each other finish it so you can find more free time to practice meditation, to read, or to broaden your knowledge so you can become an educated person and be able to relate with others intellectually.
March 1, 1981
| 11) Don?t give up
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| You can give up on anything, but never give up on building merit.
February 11, 1981 |
Don?t give up
You can give up on anything, but never give up on building merit.
February 11, 1981
| 12) More determination, more merit
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| Support one another in achieving merit! While you are still young, use that youthful energy to support the work of Buddhism. Make a wish for your good work to bring you good merit.
The more determination in your heart, the more merit you will gain; the less determination, the less merit.
In my next lifetime, I will have the ability to look at a person and be able to recall his past existence23, know his name in that existence, and where he came from. I am too occupied to do it in this lifetime, as I still have to deal with defilements. In my next lifetime, however, it will be second nature to me; I will have an enhanced ability to see through everything. When my time comes to be reborn as a human, I will invite all of you to come with me again to continue pursuing virtues.
Wherever I go, whether to Heaven or Nibbana, or to be reborn again in this earthly realm in order to build more virtues, I will invite you to come with me.
October 28, 1980 |
More determination, more merit
Support one another in achieving merit! While you are still young, use that youthful energy to support the work of Buddhism. Make a wish for your good work to bring you good merit.
The more determination in your heart, the more merit you will gain; the less determination, the less merit.
In my next lifetime, I will have the ability to look at a person and be able to recall his past existence23, know his name in that existence, and where he came from. I am too occupied to do it in this lifetime, as I still have to deal with defilements. In my next lifetime, however, it will be second nature to me; I will have an enhanced ability to see through everything. When my time comes to be reborn as a human, I will invite all of you to come with me again to continue pursuing virtues.
Wherever I go, whether to Heaven or Nibbana, or to be reborn again in this earthly realm in order to build more virtues, I will invite you to come with me.
October 28, 1980
| 13) Building merit all the way to victory
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| As you walk more and more along a virtuous path, you will develop the ability to recognize other people who share the same path with you. Moreover, you will be able to distinguish those who walk a less virtuous path because they are in a realm that is less pure.
If you have not achieved that enlightened state of mind in this lifetime even though you have given your best, do not give up. Look for your victory in the next life. Keep building more and more merit than before. Continue to improve yourself. Strengthen the purity of your mind, your body, and your speech. Eventually, victory will become yours.
November 25, 1979 |
Building merit all the way to victory
As you walk more and more along a virtuous path, you will develop the ability to recognize other people who share the same path with you. Moreover, you will be able to distinguish those who walk a less virtuous path because they are in a realm that is less pure.
If you have not achieved that enlightened state of mind in this lifetime even though you have given your best, do not give up. Look for your victory in the next life. Keep building more and more merit than before. Continue to improve yourself. Strengthen the purity of your mind, your body, and your speech. Eventually, victory will become yours.
November 25, 1979
| 14) Recalling merit
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| If you think that being in my company will somehow bring you merit, you are mistaken. Only those who actively build merit, who can recall their own merit, will gain it. Merit is your only refuge. |
Recalling merit
If you think that being in my company will somehow bring you merit, you are mistaken. Only those who actively build merit, who can recall their own merit, will gain it. Merit is your only refuge.
| 15) Only those with a pure heart will be with me
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| A person with a pure heart and a clear mind, one whose focus is on gaining merit, is the only kind of person I want to have in my company. Those with defiled minds are like oil to my water--we repel each other.
November 20, 1979 |
Only those with a pure heart will be with me
A person with a pure heart and a clear mind, one whose focus is on gaining merit, is the only kind of person I want to have in my company. Those with defiled minds are like oil to my water--we repel each other.
November 20, 1979
| 16) Fruit of merit
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| Merit from our past lives, whether large or small, will bear fruit in the present life and will express itself in full. If you made 10 units of merit in the past, you will receive all the 10 units in the present. If you made 100 units, you will also receive all of the 100 units. The merit made in this present lifetime will yield results only 10 - 20% now. But it will fully bear fruits in the future.
Our future lifetime will be wonderful with the merit we made in the present.
Thus, we should learn to be content. If we have 100 units of merit, but we use 1,000, we will collapse in due time. On the contrary, if we have 1,000 units of merit, and we use only 100, the merit will bear more fruits sooner.
Once you earn more, keep your heart humble and calm. Don't expect more than what you have earned.
August 16, 1979 |
Fruit of merit
Merit from our past lives, whether large or small, will bear fruit in the present life and will express itself in full. If you made 10 units of merit in the past, you will receive all the 10 units in the present. If you made 100 units, you will also receive all of the 100 units. The merit made in this present lifetime will yield results only 10 - 20% now. But it will fully bear fruits in the future.
Our future lifetime will be wonderful with the merit we made in the present.
Thus, we should learn to be content. If we have 100 units of merit, but we use 1,000, we will collapse in due time. On the contrary, if we have 1,000 units of merit, and we use only 100, the merit will bear more fruits sooner.
Once you earn more, keep your heart humble and calm. Don't expect more than what you have earned.
August 16, 1979
| 17) Born to pursue perfections
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| I don't wish to be in heaven for too long. I prefer to be reborn into the human realm quickly so I can continue to pursue Perfections.
January 3, 1977 |
Born to pursue perfections
I don't wish to be in heaven for too long. I prefer to be reborn into the human realm quickly so I can continue to pursue Perfections.
January 3, 1977
| 18) With merit, you will succeed in everything
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| My biggest fear in life is that I will not make enough merit. With great merit behind you, anything you wish can be attained and all you touch will become successful. No one can obstruct you if you have enough merit to support yourself. Having a good base of merit is a great blessing indeed.
August 31, 1976 |
With merit, you will succeed in everything
My biggest fear in life is that I will not make enough merit. With great merit behind you, anything you wish can be attained and all you touch will become successful. No one can obstruct you if you have enough merit to support yourself. Having a good base of merit is a great blessing indeed.
August 31, 1976
| 19) One drop at a time fills up a jar
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| Together, each tiny drop of water can fill up a big jar. Likewise, each act of good deed will fill up your "jar" of virtue. But with no good deed done at all, your "jar" of virtue is empty.
Never be lazy or preoccupied with what others are doing. In the end, your fate will be determined by no one else but yourself.
So fight as hard as you can. The more merit you make, the more you gain; and the less you make, the less you receive. Take every new day as a new opportunity to make merit.
January 12, 1975 |
One drop at a time fills up a jar
Together, each tiny drop of water can fill up a big jar. Likewise, each act of good deed will fill up your "jar" of virtue. But with no good deed done at all, your "jar" of virtue is empty.
Never be lazy or preoccupied with what others are doing. In the end, your fate will be determined by no one else but yourself.
So fight as hard as you can. The more merit you make, the more you gain; and the less you make, the less you receive. Take every new day as a new opportunity to make merit.
January 12, 1975
| 20) Power through merit
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| Whatever we set out to accomplish in life, we must examine our personal
condition as well as the condition of our merit --the "spiritual capital" that we have built. We should attempt things that are within our current ability and we will accomplish.Don't exceed your limit.
If you desire greatness, achieve your greatness through merit, not through unwholesome actions or defilements20. Achievements of greatness through the power of merit are genuine achievements, but greatness achieved through defilements will eventually collapse. |
Power through merit
Whatever we set out to accomplish in life, we must examine our personal
condition as well as the condition of our merit --the "spiritual capital" that we have built. We should attempt things that are within our current ability and we will accomplish.Don't exceed your limit.
If you desire greatness, achieve your greatness through merit, not through unwholesome actions or defilements20. Achievements of greatness through the power of merit are genuine achievements, but greatness achieved through defilements will eventually collapse.
| 21) Be cautious before speaking
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| Addressing a businessman: Whenever you have problems in dealing with other people, go find a peaceful place to close your eyes and calm your mind. Then the solutions will become clear.
It's important that you compose yourself before speaking out. If you think you may say something that will jeopardize yourself, then it is best not to say anything at that moment; meditate first to appease yourself, and then return to the issue later.
Don't say anything that may come back to bite you. Speak only what is beneficial. Life is too short. While you are still alive, capitalize on your opportunity to do good deeds and accumulate merits.
October 9, 1991 |
Be cautious before speaking
Addressing a businessman: Whenever you have problems in dealing with other people, go find a peaceful place to close your eyes and calm your mind. Then the solutions will become clear.
It's important that you compose yourself before speaking out. If you think you may say something that will jeopardize yourself, then it is best not to say anything at that moment; meditate first to appease yourself, and then return to the issue later.
Don't say anything that may come back to bite you. Speak only what is beneficial. Life is too short. While you are still alive, capitalize on your opportunity to do good deeds and accumulate merits.
October 9, 1991
| 22) Meditation helps
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| Addressing an engineer: If you run into a mental block in regards to your work, find a tranquil place to sit down and meditate. Put your mind along with thoughts about your work at the center of the body. Clarity will eventually come to you and you will know how to arrange and organize your work. Meditation will give rise to wisdom.
I use this approach to solve problems. Whenever I encounter a problem with the temple's refectory, I would go back to my quarters, meditate a while, and a solution would come to me.
August 9, 1991 |
Meditation helps
Addressing an engineer: If you run into a mental block in regards to your work, find a tranquil place to sit down and meditate. Put your mind along with thoughts about your work at the center of the body. Clarity will eventually come to you and you will know how to arrange and organize your work. Meditation will give rise to wisdom.
I use this approach to solve problems. Whenever I encounter a problem with the temple's refectory, I would go back to my quarters, meditate a while, and a solution would come to me.
August 9, 1991
| 23) Silence may seem like defeat, but in fact it is victory
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| During the time I attended Luang Por's super advanced meditation workshop at Wat Paknam, I never left the temple and was there for the entire duration. Some people went home to see their family. Some went elsewhere. But I cared too much for meditation to leave. This is why I advanced so much quicker.
November 5, 1979 |
Silence may seem like defeat, but in fact it is victory
During the time I attended Luang Por's super advanced meditation workshop at Wat Paknam, I never left the temple and was there for the entire duration. Some people went home to see their family. Some went elsewhere. But I cared too much for meditation to leave. This is why I advanced so much quicker.
November 5, 1979
| 24) Those who know don?t brag
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| Braggarts are too busy competing with each other. Those who truly know don't show off; that is why they will ultimately win.
August 17, 1991 |
Those who know don?t brag
Braggarts are too busy competing with each other. Those who truly know don't show off; that is why they will ultimately win.
August 17, 1991
| 25) Seeing through
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| I came up with the idea to build this temple and it has been a constant challenge from the beginning. Nonetheless, I finished whatever I started and I never gave up. I resolved every challenge that came my way through meditation, even if at times it seemed almost insurmountable. |
Seeing through
I came up with the idea to build this temple and it has been a constant challenge from the beginning. Nonetheless, I finished whatever I started and I never gave up. I resolved every challenge that came my way through meditation, even if at times it seemed almost insurmountable.
| 26) I cherish meditation
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| During the time I attended Luang Por's super advanced meditation workshop at Wat Paknam, I never left the temple and was there for the entire duration. Some people went home to see their family. Some went elsewhere. But I cared too much for meditation to leave. This is why I advanced so much quicker.
November 5, 1979 |
I cherish meditation
During the time I attended Luang Por's super advanced meditation workshop at Wat Paknam, I never left the temple and was there for the entire duration. Some people went home to see their family. Some went elsewhere. But I cared too much for meditation to leave. This is why I advanced so much quicker.
November 5, 1979
| 27) Meditation is essential
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| The practice of meditation is the most important thing in life, and attaining Dhamma is the ultimate life goal. Even as you walk, drive, or perform other everyday tasks, you need to contemplate on Dhamma at all times.
Before I attained Dhamma, I meditated diligently until my mind could leave the physical body, sinking deeper and deeper into meditation until it finally disengaged from my physical surroundings completely and became purified and powerful with knowledge.
I was able to progress because I was determined to do so. Meditation is the most important thing in life.
If we do not seek true happiness in this lifetime, then we will not find it even in the next life. Resolve to find true happiness in this life!
When I was younger I meditated six hours during the day and six more hours in the evening. Now that I am 84 years old, I cannot sit for long periods of time anymore, so I meditate while laying down. As young people, you don't know what it is like to be sore and to have backaches. When you are my age you will understand. |
Meditation is essential
The practice of meditation is the most important thing in life, and attaining Dhamma is the ultimate life goal. Even as you walk, drive, or perform other everyday tasks, you need to contemplate on Dhamma at all times.
Before I attained Dhamma, I meditated diligently until my mind could leave the physical body, sinking deeper and deeper into meditation until it finally disengaged from my physical surroundings completely and became purified and powerful with knowledge.
I was able to progress because I was determined to do so. Meditation is the most important thing in life.
If we do not seek true happiness in this lifetime, then we will not find it even in the next life. Resolve to find true happiness in this life!
When I was younger I meditated six hours during the day and six more hours in the evening. Now that I am 84 years old, I cannot sit for long periods of time anymore, so I meditate while laying down. As young people, you don't know what it is like to be sore and to have backaches. When you are my age you will understand.
| 28) The most important duty
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| The practice of meditation is the most important thing in life, and attaining Dhamma is the ultimate life goal. Even as you walk, drive, or perform other everyday tasks, you need to contemplate on Dhamma at all times.
Before I attained Dhamma, I meditated diligently until my mind could leave the physical body, sinking deeper and deeper into meditation until it finally disengaged from my physical surroundings completely and became purified and powerful with knowledge. |
The most important duty
The practice of meditation is the most important thing in life, and attaining Dhamma is the ultimate life goal. Even as you walk, drive, or perform other everyday tasks, you need to contemplate on Dhamma at all times.
Before I attained Dhamma, I meditated diligently until my mind could leave the physical body, sinking deeper and deeper into meditation until it finally disengaged from my physical surroundings completely and became purified and powerful with knowledge.
| 29) Like hitting the ground with your fist
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| Skill in meditation is something you must build from the ground up. Everything starts from the ground up: houses are built from their foundations, and birds which fly high overhead must take off from the ground.
As you first begin your meditation, do not compare your progress to the progress of others, nor should you assume that you will not make any progress at all. Keep those ideas out of your head! Think that every time you repeat the mantra "Samma Arahang" in your mind, your merit becomes greater with each repetition. And every time you meditate you gain new merit. It's as assured as hitting the ground with your fist--you never miss.
As you progress along the path of Dhamma, guard yourself from carelessness and doubt. Pay no attention to those who direct their anger or impatience at you. Remember that you are following the path of the Lord Buddha and that, in itself, is gratifying. Have no doubt that you will succeed, and indeed success will come to you.
January 17, 1975 |
Like hitting the ground with your fist
Skill in meditation is something you must build from the ground up. Everything starts from the ground up: houses are built from their foundations, and birds which fly high overhead must take off from the ground.
As you first begin your meditation, do not compare your progress to the progress of others, nor should you assume that you will not make any progress at all. Keep those ideas out of your head! Think that every time you repeat the mantra "Samma Arahang" in your mind, your merit becomes greater with each repetition. And every time you meditate you gain new merit. It's as assured as hitting the ground with your fist--you never miss.
As you progress along the path of Dhamma, guard yourself from carelessness and doubt. Pay no attention to those who direct their anger or impatience at you. Remember that you are following the path of the Lord Buddha and that, in itself, is gratifying. Have no doubt that you will succeed, and indeed success will come to you.
January 17, 1975
| 30) To successfully pursue perfections,one needs to embrace meditatio
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| We were born to pursue virtues. Strive to perform good deeds. If you wish to successfully pursue Perfections, you need to "attach" yourself to mental development, not to people. This will benefit not only yourself but the people around you. Count on your mindfulness to remind you that if you allow yourself to be attached to people, you will not prevail in your pursuit of Perfections and will run into trouble.
Be endeared to the practice of meditation. Let meditation be a refuge for you. You will be able to overcome false views and earn new merit that stays with you every day. Remember this and take it to practice. I am an old woman and only getting older, but as long as I am able, I will keep teaching this to you. Heed my advice and you will do well.
December 15, 1980 |
To successfully pursue perfections,one needs to embrace meditatio
We were born to pursue virtues. Strive to perform good deeds. If you wish to successfully pursue Perfections, you need to "attach" yourself to mental development, not to people. This will benefit not only yourself but the people around you. Count on your mindfulness to remind you that if you allow yourself to be attached to people, you will not prevail in your pursuit of Perfections and will run into trouble.
Be endeared to the practice of meditation. Let meditation be a refuge for you. You will be able to overcome false views and earn new merit that stays with you every day. Remember this and take it to practice. I am an old woman and only getting older, but as long as I am able, I will keep teaching this to you. Heed my advice and you will do well.
December 15, 1980
| 31) Only spiritual attainment can help us
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| In the entire universe, there is only one refuge from suffering for us, and that is meditative attainment. Hold on to it. Even if you see only a brief flash of it, that is sufficient to bring about enough merit to cover the sky.
When I meditate, my mind penetrates deep to the center of the body, all the way through to Nibanna [the perfect state of bliss], and there it rests. Released from all impurities, my mind is able to see whatever I wish to see.
However, I am drawn back to the physical world by people and things which occupy me here. Then the mind regains its impurities and clings to sensations.
Those who are married must feel this pull; even wanting to be married means that you have worldly attachments, which are a kind of defilement, and you lose a desire for spiritual attainment.
If you truly seek spiritual attainment you need not think of others. Think of yourself, because no one else can save you but you.
Buddhism encompasses these three things: the Teachings, the Practice, and the Attainment, nothing more, nothing less.
March 11, 1981 |
Only spiritual attainment can help us
In the entire universe, there is only one refuge from suffering for us, and that is meditative attainment. Hold on to it. Even if you see only a brief flash of it, that is sufficient to bring about enough merit to cover the sky.
When I meditate, my mind penetrates deep to the center of the body, all the way through to Nibanna [the perfect state of bliss], and there it rests. Released from all impurities, my mind is able to see whatever I wish to see.
However, I am drawn back to the physical world by people and things which occupy me here. Then the mind regains its impurities and clings to sensations.
Those who are married must feel this pull; even wanting to be married means that you have worldly attachments, which are a kind of defilement, and you lose a desire for spiritual attainment.
If you truly seek spiritual attainment you need not think of others. Think of yourself, because no one else can save you but you.
Buddhism encompasses these three things: the Teachings, the Practice, and the Attainment, nothing more, nothing less.
March 11, 1981
| 32) ?Stop? so you will succeed
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| To ?stop17?: all success springs from this one action. I mean success both in the spiritual and in the earthly sense. In the material world, if we want to go somewhere quickly we have to travel in a fast vehicle such as a car or a plane. But in the world of Dhamma it is the opposite; we have to ?stop?. If we don?t stop, we won?t get there. The more we stop, the faster we go. Recall the story of Angulimala which Luang Por recounted. Angulimala believed that if he collected the fingers of 1,000 people, he would become the ruler of the world. He saw the Lord Buddha and ran after him with the intent to cut off his finger?the last finger to complete his 1,000. He called out, ?Stop, Monk, stop!? The Lord Buddha answered him, ?I have stopped already. It is you who has not stopped.?
?Stop? is the key to success. ?Stop? here means stopping your mind from wandering, bringing it to a peaceful stillness. If you cannot, you will not be able to reach the Dhammakaya within you. All Dhamma (Truth) resides within us. You have to stop your mind to reach it. This is why meditation is so important.
The Tipitaka18 has 84,000 sections. They can be summed up into three practices: purifying the body, purifying the mind, and purifying speech. These three can be further summed up in just one word: ?Stop?. Once the mind is still, it, along with the body and speech, will become purified. And this in turn will bring us much merit.
Follow my advice and learn to divide your time. When you meditate, think of nothing else but meditation. Focus only on advancing on your journey.
March 1, 1981 |
?Stop? so you will succeed
To ?stop17?: all success springs from this one action. I mean success both in the spiritual and in the earthly sense. In the material world, if we want to go somewhere quickly we have to travel in a fast vehicle such as a car or a plane. But in the world of Dhamma it is the opposite; we have to ?stop?. If we don?t stop, we won?t get there. The more we stop, the faster we go. Recall the story of Angulimala which Luang Por recounted. Angulimala believed that if he collected the fingers of 1,000 people, he would become the ruler of the world. He saw the Lord Buddha and ran after him with the intent to cut off his finger?the last finger to complete his 1,000. He called out, ?Stop, Monk, stop!? The Lord Buddha answered him, ?I have stopped already. It is you who has not stopped.?
?Stop? is the key to success. ?Stop? here means stopping your mind from wandering, bringing it to a peaceful stillness. If you cannot, you will not be able to reach the Dhammakaya within you. All Dhamma (Truth) resides within us. You have to stop your mind to reach it. This is why meditation is so important.
The Tipitaka18 has 84,000 sections. They can be summed up into three practices: purifying the body, purifying the mind, and purifying speech. These three can be further summed up in just one word: ?Stop?. Once the mind is still, it, along with the body and speech, will become purified. And this in turn will bring us much merit.
Follow my advice and learn to divide your time. When you meditate, think of nothing else but meditation. Focus only on advancing on your journey.
March 1, 1981
| 33) Relinquish all else
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| Merely meditating and reciting the mantra "samma arahang" will create merit. It's not easy to attain Dhammakaya when the mind wants to dart here and there around the entire world. We have to rein the mind back to the center of our body, two fingers'breadth above the navel. Then relinquish everything else.
When the mind comes to a standstill, it will glow radiantly. Keep the mind steady and think of the bright Buddha image at the center of the body. |
Relinquish all else
Merely meditating and reciting the mantra "samma arahang" will create merit. It's not easy to attain Dhammakaya when the mind wants to dart here and there around the entire world. We have to rein the mind back to the center of our body, two fingers'breadth above the navel. Then relinquish everything else.
When the mind comes to a standstill, it will glow radiantly. Keep the mind steady and think of the bright Buddha image at the center of the body.
| 34) Meditative power
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| When it comes to meditation, I have practiced thoroughly and became so proficient that I can comprehend everything, knowing what and where everything is. When it comes time to meditate, I drop everything and during that time there is only meditation on my mind and absolutely nothing else.
However, when duty calls me back to deal with the mundane part of life, I must retreat from the transcendental, step by step, body by body16, from the Arahat body to the physical human body.
Once that is accomplished, I can then deal with mundane issues. When my worldly affairs are dealt with, I then return once again to my meditation and leave all earthly problems behind.
Unfortunately, we all have to tend to our worldly needs. We have to "battle" with the mundane as well as the supramundane.
Between these two worlds, I know how to divide my time. When I meditate, I focus my mind to the center of my body, from the physical human body to the transcendental human body all the way through to the Arahat body--18 bodies in total. Once I attained the Arahat body, the mind encompassed all knowledge.
It is a state called "knowing and seeing in all directions".
Meditation is like setting sail in the ocean. When you are deep into sea with no shoreline in sight, you can look at your compass and steer yourself in the right direction. Likewise, when you meditate, set your direction by telling yourself what you want to accomplish during the meditation session.
Organize your time by clearly separating meditation time from your other tasks. That way you will not be distracted during meditation by thinking of home or work, or this or that. The purpose of meditation is to bring your racing mind to a standstill state. |
Meditative power
When it comes to meditation, I have practiced thoroughly and became so proficient that I can comprehend everything, knowing what and where everything is. When it comes time to meditate, I drop everything and during that time there is only meditation on my mind and absolutely nothing else.
However, when duty calls me back to deal with the mundane part of life, I must retreat from the transcendental, step by step, body by body16, from the Arahat body to the physical human body.
Once that is accomplished, I can then deal with mundane issues. When my worldly affairs are dealt with, I then return once again to my meditation and leave all earthly problems behind.
Unfortunately, we all have to tend to our worldly needs. We have to "battle" with the mundane as well as the supramundane.
Between these two worlds, I know how to divide my time. When I meditate, I focus my mind to the center of my body, from the physical human body to the transcendental human body all the way through to the Arahat body--18 bodies in total. Once I attained the Arahat body, the mind encompassed all knowledge.
It is a state called "knowing and seeing in all directions".
Meditation is like setting sail in the ocean. When you are deep into sea with no shoreline in sight, you can look at your compass and steer yourself in the right direction. Likewise, when you meditate, set your direction by telling yourself what you want to accomplish during the meditation session.
Organize your time by clearly separating meditation time from your other tasks. That way you will not be distracted during meditation by thinking of home or work, or this or that. The purpose of meditation is to bring your racing mind to a standstill state.
| 35) No need to be coddled
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| Don't feel injured. We need to understand that Luang Por [Dhammajayo] is very busy with his duties and does not always have time to coddle us. I myself don't like to be coddled. Some folks like to compete for recognition and personal attention from Luang Por. This nonsensical competition impedes them from advancement in their meditation.
November 17, 1982 |
No need to be coddled
Don't feel injured. We need to understand that Luang Por [Dhammajayo] is very busy with his duties and does not always have time to coddle us. I myself don't like to be coddled. Some folks like to compete for recognition and personal attention from Luang Por. This nonsensical competition impedes them from advancement in their meditation.
November 17, 1982
| 36) Hold on tightly
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| How does one get left behind? When Luangpi Chitchai Mahachito was not busy with his responsibilities during the temple's construction, he spent a lot of time meditating. He had a "dream". In his dream, he saw a vehicle traveling at high speed over the ocean, and on this vehicle were many people holding on tightly.
But it ran so rapidly that anyone who was not holding on tight enough fell off. This fast vehicle was me. I pursued Perfections. Everything I did, I did earnestly. That was why I moved ahead with high speed.
Buddhajak Center is like a mountain. Some people saw the mountain and were afraid to climb. Those who do climb may get distracted along the way and fall from the path.
Those who are afraid to climb are those who see the stringent rules of the temple and do not wish to comply. Hold on tightly to the vehicle! Do not fall off! Meditate as much as you can. Maintain your mind and your body with merit. Meditate with the mantra "samma arahang15".
One day you will have your attainment. I endured a great deal and was supremely patient. It was patience that made the Buddhajak Center. Through it, ten virtuous monks were ordained.
March 21, 1980 |
Hold on tightly
How does one get left behind? When Luangpi Chitchai Mahachito was not busy with his responsibilities during the temple's construction, he spent a lot of time meditating. He had a "dream". In his dream, he saw a vehicle traveling at high speed over the ocean, and on this vehicle were many people holding on tightly.
But it ran so rapidly that anyone who was not holding on tight enough fell off. This fast vehicle was me. I pursued Perfections. Everything I did, I did earnestly. That was why I moved ahead with high speed.
Buddhajak Center is like a mountain. Some people saw the mountain and were afraid to climb. Those who do climb may get distracted along the way and fall from the path.
Those who are afraid to climb are those who see the stringent rules of the temple and do not wish to comply. Hold on tightly to the vehicle! Do not fall off! Meditate as much as you can. Maintain your mind and your body with merit. Meditate with the mantra "samma arahang15".
One day you will have your attainment. I endured a great deal and was supremely patient. It was patience that made the Buddhajak Center. Through it, ten virtuous monks were ordained.
March 21, 1980
| 37) Ability to withstand
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| The strength of my meditative attainment can withstand a hundred wars. This is something no one understands. For me, I know what is what. I have meditated immensely, and have relied on my inner Dhamma, that it gives me the strength to endure and the ability to survive. |
Ability to withstand
The strength of my meditative attainment can withstand a hundred wars. This is something no one understands. For me, I know what is what. I have meditated immensely, and have relied on my inner Dhamma, that it gives me the strength to endure and the ability to survive.
| 38) Knowledge beyond description
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| I have continuously performed virtuous deeds for many decades. I practiced super-advanced meditation directly with Luang Por Wat Paknam endlessly. I absorbed the knowledge from him first-hand. The knowledge imparted by Luang Por to me was vast and extensive.
When the 200 rai plot [80 acres] of land was first donated to Buddhajak Center, I thought to myself, even a land this vast was not big enough to contain everything that I knew--only a mere pinch of it. But I could not mention it, because people will not understand. Only those who have meditative experience would be in the position to understand.
October 12, 1980 |
Knowledge beyond description
I have continuously performed virtuous deeds for many decades. I practiced super-advanced meditation directly with Luang Por Wat Paknam endlessly. I absorbed the knowledge from him first-hand. The knowledge imparted by Luang Por to me was vast and extensive.
When the 200 rai plot [80 acres] of land was first donated to Buddhajak Center, I thought to myself, even a land this vast was not big enough to contain everything that I knew--only a mere pinch of it. But I could not mention it, because people will not understand. Only those who have meditative experience would be in the position to understand.
October 12, 1980
| 39) Those who don?t really know
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| I am familiar with the meditation know-how of Luang Por Wat Paknam in every detail, because I have practiced with Luang Por continuously and I have never left or done anything else. I have practiced his Dhammakaya meditation before, during and after the World War, until now... Those who go around bragging about the meditation techniques of Luang Por don't really know what they are talking about.
All they want is to be famous. I have this genuine knowledge, but because of my position, it is not wise for me to talk about it. Most people are not refined enough (mentally) to comprehend it.
October 12, 1980 |
Those who don?t really know
I am familiar with the meditation know-how of Luang Por Wat Paknam in every detail, because I have practiced with Luang Por continuously and I have never left or done anything else. I have practiced his Dhammakaya meditation before, during and after the World War, until now... Those who go around bragging about the meditation techniques of Luang Por don't really know what they are talking about.
All they want is to be famous. I have this genuine knowledge, but because of my position, it is not wise for me to talk about it. Most people are not refined enough (mentally) to comprehend it.
October 12, 1980
| 40) Dhamma so subtle and profound
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| My meditation skills are so subtle and profound that, even while I am eating my meals, I can see animals eating animals. When I look inside me, inside my intestines, I see human eating human, because the meats of the animals that I am eating belong to humans just like us, but the forms they took were those of a pig, a duck or a chicken. Whatever forms of animals they took were conditioned by the karmic retributions applicable to them.
November 5, 1979 |
Dhamma so subtle and profound
My meditation skills are so subtle and profound that, even while I am eating my meals, I can see animals eating animals. When I look inside me, inside my intestines, I see human eating human, because the meats of the animals that I am eating belong to humans just like us, but the forms they took were those of a pig, a duck or a chicken. Whatever forms of animals they took were conditioned by the karmic retributions applicable to them.
November 5, 1979
| 41) There is no secret in this world
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| My meditation skills are so precise and so profound that they have allowed my consciousness to expand beyond the ordinary. I am aware of everything; no secret is kept from me. It befits the saying, "there is no secret in this world."
For those who possess the super-advanced meditation skills, nothing is hidden from their view. It is hidden only from those whose minds are defiled. I know everything that takes place with people. It only depends on whether I want to talk about it or not.
November 5, 1979
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There is no secret in this world
My meditation skills are so precise and so profound that they have allowed my consciousness to expand beyond the ordinary. I am aware of everything; no secret is kept from me. It befits the saying, "there is no secret in this world."
For those who possess the super-advanced meditation skills, nothing is hidden from their view. It is hidden only from those whose minds are defiled. I know everything that takes place with people. It only depends on whether I want to talk about it or not.
November 5, 1979
| 42) Success through love of meditation
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| I noticed that Dr. Piya, Dr. Kwan, and Dr. Charoen all possessed different skills, and each of them is specialized in his own particular field. Dr. Piya is proficient in dentistry; Dr. Kwan is skillful in traditional Chinese medicine, while Dr. Charoen is an expert in ophthalmology.
For one to be good at something, one must first have love for that particular thing. If you love what you do, you will do it well. For me, I love meditation more than anything. That's why my meditation skills are so precise and so profound.
November 12, 1977 |
Success through love of meditation
I noticed that Dr. Piya, Dr. Kwan, and Dr. Charoen all possessed different skills, and each of them is specialized in his own particular field. Dr. Piya is proficient in dentistry; Dr. Kwan is skillful in traditional Chinese medicine, while Dr. Charoen is an expert in ophthalmology.
For one to be good at something, one must first have love for that particular thing. If you love what you do, you will do it well. For me, I love meditation more than anything. That's why my meditation skills are so precise and so profound.
November 12, 1977
| 43) I truly love meditation
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| I meditate all the time. During World War II, I meditated six hours during the day, and six more hours during the night. The method must be extremely refined and exact.
Although the first advanced meditation group already began before I arrived, I arrived in time for the super-advanced meditation program that Luang Por later initiated. Because of this, and because of my extreme love and devotion for meditation, my meditation skill became very profound.
November 5, 1979 |
I truly love meditation
I meditate all the time. During World War II, I meditated six hours during the day, and six more hours during the night. The method must be extremely refined and exact.
Although the first advanced meditation group already began before I arrived, I arrived in time for the super-advanced meditation program that Luang Por later initiated. Because of this, and because of my extreme love and devotion for meditation, my meditation skill became very profound.
November 5, 1979
| 44) Super-advanced meditation
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| Because I have the purity of body, mind and speech, I have adhered to morality and truthfulness, and I have an utmost love for meditation, I was allowed straight into the super-advanced meditation program with Luang Por Wat Paknam. Normally, one has to go through several intensive assessments before being allowed into this elite program. But as for me, I was admitted to the elite program immediately upon my arrival.
November 5, 1979 |
Super-advanced meditation
Because I have the purity of body, mind and speech, I have adhered to morality and truthfulness, and I have an utmost love for meditation, I was allowed straight into the super-advanced meditation program with Luang Por Wat Paknam. Normally, one has to go through several intensive assessments before being allowed into this elite program. But as for me, I was admitted to the elite program immediately upon my arrival.
November 5, 1979
| 45) There is no such thing as a secret
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| Luang Por Wat Paknam's meditative attainment was utterly complete and profound. I have witnessed it. A secret as tiny as a strand of hair could not be hidden from him. He could see everything clearly. So, whatever you do, do it virtuously. Nothing can be concealed, because there are no secrets in this world.
I experienced this phenomenon after meditating for two straight weeks following Luang Por Wat Paknam's directions. After the meditation, my expanded consciousness allowed me to answer all questions about all subjects. This is due to the profound knowledge taught by Luang Por.
December 21, 1976 |
There is no such thing as a secret
Luang Por Wat Paknam's meditative attainment was utterly complete and profound. I have witnessed it. A secret as tiny as a strand of hair could not be hidden from him. He could see everything clearly. So, whatever you do, do it virtuously. Nothing can be concealed, because there are no secrets in this world.
I experienced this phenomenon after meditating for two straight weeks following Luang Por Wat Paknam's directions. After the meditation, my expanded consciousness allowed me to answer all questions about all subjects. This is due to the profound knowledge taught by Luang Por.
December 21, 1976
| 46) Receiving guests
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| Receiving guests who inquire for your help is not easy. We must learn the proper way to do it. Although we must cater to them, we must also maintain our moral nature, especially our Dhamma.
Some guests visit us to recount their tales of woe or their family troubles, but these stories only distract our own minds from Dhamma, or from the center of our bodies. As practitioners of Dhamma, we should try to guide our guests to the wisdom of Dhamma as well.
Like a tug of war, we may allow ourselves to be drawn into our guests'misery and away from Dhamma, or we can draw them to Dhamma and away from their problems. It takes skills in good speech and great awareness to move a person towards Dhamma.
There are many types of guests. Before we can host any of them properly, we must first understand ourselves thoroughly. Understanding ourselves first will help us understand others, and this in turn will help us understand their problems. The most essential thing, however, is to maintain our minds in Dhamma and to be filled with compassion. |
Receiving guests
Receiving guests who inquire for your help is not easy. We must learn the proper way to do it. Although we must cater to them, we must also maintain our moral nature, especially our Dhamma.
Some guests visit us to recount their tales of woe or their family troubles, but these stories only distract our own minds from Dhamma, or from the center of our bodies. As practitioners of Dhamma, we should try to guide our guests to the wisdom of Dhamma as well.
Like a tug of war, we may allow ourselves to be drawn into our guests'misery and away from Dhamma, or we can draw them to Dhamma and away from their problems. It takes skills in good speech and great awareness to move a person towards Dhamma.
There are many types of guests. Before we can host any of them properly, we must first understand ourselves thoroughly. Understanding ourselves first will help us understand others, and this in turn will help us understand their problems. The most essential thing, however, is to maintain our minds in Dhamma and to be filled with compassion.
| 47) Hate no one
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| I have hatred for no one. I am afraid if I do, I too, will be hated in my next life. My mind always considers the consequences in the far future rather than merely the immediate present. Besides, I would rather have love than hatred for people.
January 1, 1991 |
Hate no one
I have hatred for no one. I am afraid if I do, I too, will be hated in my next life. My mind always considers the consequences in the far future rather than merely the immediate present. Besides, I would rather have love than hatred for people.
January 1, 1991
| 48) Silence is golden
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| I seem to possess a special intuition. Although I never went to school, I have a good sense about people. I see through them, but I prefer to keep it to myself. If I'm not adept with people, I would not have been able to build this Temple.
Talk is cheap; silence is golden.
February 15, 1992 |
Silence is golden
I seem to possess a special intuition. Although I never went to school, I have a good sense about people. I see through them, but I prefer to keep it to myself. If I'm not adept with people, I would not have been able to build this Temple.
Talk is cheap; silence is golden.
February 15, 1992
| 49) Human relations
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| We should learn how to get along with others. If someone does not talk to us, then we need to be the one to begin talking first. Soon we will have a pleasant conversation. We should reject the attitude of snobbery and arrogance. Instead, strive to relate well with every type of person. You never know, a day might come when you will need their help.
May 5, 1995 |
Human relations
We should learn how to get along with others. If someone does not talk to us, then we need to be the one to begin talking first. Soon we will have a pleasant conversation. We should reject the attitude of snobbery and arrogance. Instead, strive to relate well with every type of person. You never know, a day might come when you will need their help.
May 5, 1995
| 50) Be a team player
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| I care for my community. We should learn how to be a good team player and get along with everyone. Arrogance only leads to isolation. If we have the attitude that we are better than others, at our time of distress, no one will be around to offer help.
October 28, 1992 |
Be a team player
I care for my community. We should learn how to be a good team player and get along with everyone. Arrogance only leads to isolation. If we have the attitude that we are better than others, at our time of distress, no one will be around to offer help.
October 28, 1992
| 51) Seeing through people
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| There is a parable about a fox that was raised as a lion. It is the fox's nature to eat excrement. But one fox was taken and raised like a lion. He was fed the finest meat and he behaved as regally as a lion would. But when he came across excrement, his true nature came to fore, and he ate it. A fox is still a fox.
We need to look into the true nature of a person to know who he really is.
June 1, 1981 |
Seeing through people
There is a parable about a fox that was raised as a lion. It is the fox's nature to eat excrement. But one fox was taken and raised like a lion. He was fed the finest meat and he behaved as regally as a lion would. But when he came across excrement, his true nature came to fore, and he ate it. A fox is still a fox.
We need to look into the true nature of a person to know who he really is.
June 1, 1981
| 52) Associating with people
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| We should know what type of people to associate with. There are some people we can welcome into our homes, while others should be kept at a distance. It is important to recognize which is which.
If we know certain people display bad behavior, then it's best to avoid them entirely, lest we begin to emulate them. Even if we recognize and disagree with their bad behavior at first, if we continue to associate with them, in time, we begin to think they are not so bad after all and end up losing our own morals.
A heroin addict started out as drug free, but through peer pressure, gradually became addicted to the drug. Think of bad behavior as contagious germs. We don't know when we catch them. Slowly they invade us without our awareness. Before we know it, it is already too late.
February 8, 1981 |
Associating with people
We should know what type of people to associate with. There are some people we can welcome into our homes, while others should be kept at a distance. It is important to recognize which is which.
If we know certain people display bad behavior, then it's best to avoid them entirely, lest we begin to emulate them. Even if we recognize and disagree with their bad behavior at first, if we continue to associate with them, in time, we begin to think they are not so bad after all and end up losing our own morals.
A heroin addict started out as drug free, but through peer pressure, gradually became addicted to the drug. Think of bad behavior as contagious germs. We don't know when we catch them. Slowly they invade us without our awareness. Before we know it, it is already too late.
February 8, 1981
| 53) All things must be based upon virtue
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| Those ignorant ones, who have no virtue yet desire fame, power and prestige, are doomed to fail in the end. The louder they boast, the faster they will fail. All things must be based upon virtue.
October 12, 1980 |
All things must be based upon virtue
Those ignorant ones, who have no virtue yet desire fame, power and prestige, are doomed to fail in the end. The louder they boast, the faster they will fail. All things must be based upon virtue.
October 12, 1980
| 54) No desire for others? possessions
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| I built the Temple. My life is based on merit. From it, I have a place to live and food to eat. There is no desire in me to steal other's wealth. If someone causes me harm, let that be his/her own burden; I have no desire to hurt anyone's feelings. |
No desire for others? possessions
I built the Temple. My life is based on merit. From it, I have a place to live and food to eat. There is no desire in me to steal other's wealth. If someone causes me harm, let that be his/her own burden; I have no desire to hurt anyone's feelings.
| 55) Build more virtues
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| We are born to pursue virtue. I have been doing good deeds and building up my virtue little by little, regularly and consistently, quietly and humbly, without the need for recognition. After a while, the efforts of these good deeds pay off, and their results are evident to everyone.
When you have built up enough virtue, nothing can stop it from manifesting itself. It gives me a great deal of satisfaction to see these accomplishments.
Some people expect their good deeds to pay off right away. They complain when they fail to see the results of their good deeds, even when they have only just begun to practice.
When I reflect upon the good deeds I have performed, and all of the time and effort I spent pursuing Perfections, I feel proud of my accomplishments. I don't have any inferior feelings in my mind.
May 5, 1980 |
Build more virtues
We are born to pursue virtue. I have been doing good deeds and building up my virtue little by little, regularly and consistently, quietly and humbly, without the need for recognition. After a while, the efforts of these good deeds pay off, and their results are evident to everyone.
When you have built up enough virtue, nothing can stop it from manifesting itself. It gives me a great deal of satisfaction to see these accomplishments.
Some people expect their good deeds to pay off right away. They complain when they fail to see the results of their good deeds, even when they have only just begun to practice.
When I reflect upon the good deeds I have performed, and all of the time and effort I spent pursuing Perfections, I feel proud of my accomplishments. I don't have any inferior feelings in my mind.
May 5, 1980
| 56) Be modest
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| I'm not the ambitious type. I don't want to be popular nor famous like others. This has been a characteristic of mine for a long time.
When I lived at Wat Paknam and practiced high-level Dhammakaya14 meditation with Luang Por Wat Paknam, I was very quiet. In the meditation hall, I rarely spoke, but when I did, others listened. I did not meddle in other people's affairs, but when it came to Luang Por's teachings, I was not afraid to point out people's mistakes. Otherwise, I spoke only when I was asked questions by Luang Por, and my answers were short and to the point. The important thing was to fulfill my duties. I sought neither fame nor recognition as others around me did. Fame without merit is a structure built on a crumbling foundation.
October 22, 1980 |
Be modest
I'm not the ambitious type. I don't want to be popular nor famous like others. This has been a characteristic of mine for a long time.
When I lived at Wat Paknam and practiced high-level Dhammakaya14 meditation with Luang Por Wat Paknam, I was very quiet. In the meditation hall, I rarely spoke, but when I did, others listened. I did not meddle in other people's affairs, but when it came to Luang Por's teachings, I was not afraid to point out people's mistakes. Otherwise, I spoke only when I was asked questions by Luang Por, and my answers were short and to the point. The important thing was to fulfill my duties. I sought neither fame nor recognition as others around me did. Fame without merit is a structure built on a crumbling foundation.
October 22, 1980
| 57) Be content
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| Let us be neither blindly ambitious nor greedy. Instead, let us learn modesty and contentment. Greed can turn an honest man into a fraudulent one. I dislike a dishonest person.
When you are greedy for unwholesome things, in the end you will possess only misery. Strive to keep your minds pure and clean. If you have accumulated enough merit, then your desires will be met without the need for ruthlessness. And if you desire only to possess more virtue, that would be excellent indeed!
Learn to live a simple life and make use of your possessions prudently.
November 24, 1979 |
Be content
Let us be neither blindly ambitious nor greedy. Instead, let us learn modesty and contentment. Greed can turn an honest man into a fraudulent one. I dislike a dishonest person.
When you are greedy for unwholesome things, in the end you will possess only misery. Strive to keep your minds pure and clean. If you have accumulated enough merit, then your desires will be met without the need for ruthlessness. And if you desire only to possess more virtue, that would be excellent indeed!
Learn to live a simple life and make use of your possessions prudently.
November 24, 1979
| 58) Be prepared
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| A kind-hearted 80 year old woman with five children once came to Khun Yai and asked for her advice. Her youngest son was a source of disappointment to her because he never listened to her.
Khun Yai replied, "Why be disappointed? He is an adult now and old enough to walk his own path. When I lived in Nakorn Chaisri, I used to have a cat. The cat gave birth to five kittens and I raised them too. But once these kittens got older, they all left me. I realized then that cats and dogs, just like people, are born under the Law of Kamma. They must live their own life as their own kamma dictates. All little birds must leave the nest eventually.
Sister, you yourself are old. It is time you thought of yourself more and prepared for your own spiritual future. Make merit. Merits and demerits are the only things you can take with you to the next life."
February 24, 1991 |
Be prepared
A kind-hearted 80 year old woman with five children once came to Khun Yai and asked for her advice. Her youngest son was a source of disappointment to her because he never listened to her.
Khun Yai replied, "Why be disappointed? He is an adult now and old enough to walk his own path. When I lived in Nakorn Chaisri, I used to have a cat. The cat gave birth to five kittens and I raised them too. But once these kittens got older, they all left me. I realized then that cats and dogs, just like people, are born under the Law of Kamma. They must live their own life as their own kamma dictates. All little birds must leave the nest eventually.
Sister, you yourself are old. It is time you thought of yourself more and prepared for your own spiritual future. Make merit. Merits and demerits are the only things you can take with you to the next life."
February 24, 1991
| 59) Come to the temple now
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| Khun Yai encouraged those who came to the temple for the first time to visit the temple often. Whether it's early or late in life, we all end up in the temple one way or another. Whether you are the beloved child or the beloved parent, death brings us all to the temple in the end (for our own funeral). So don't wait until you are too old and too weak to go on your own.
Life does not end with death. Those who are accustomed with doing good deeds, who can recall their good deeds at the time of death, will find their way to a heavenly realm. Those who are accustomed to doing bad deeds, whose minds are attached to their bad deeds at the time of death, will end up in a hell realm. For those who performed neither good nor bad deeds, after death their spirit will neither be in a heavenly realm nor a hell realm, but will roam about in this world.
June 10, 1991 |
Come to the temple now
Khun Yai encouraged those who came to the temple for the first time to visit the temple often. Whether it's early or late in life, we all end up in the temple one way or another. Whether you are the beloved child or the beloved parent, death brings us all to the temple in the end (for our own funeral). So don't wait until you are too old and too weak to go on your own.
Life does not end with death. Those who are accustomed with doing good deeds, who can recall their good deeds at the time of death, will find their way to a heavenly realm. Those who are accustomed to doing bad deeds, whose minds are attached to their bad deeds at the time of death, will end up in a hell realm. For those who performed neither good nor bad deeds, after death their spirit will neither be in a heavenly realm nor a hell realm, but will roam about in this world.
June 10, 1991
| 60) Don?t wait
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| We don't know when our final day will come. Start going to the temple now while you still can. don't wait until someone has to carry you into the temple (for your own funeral).
Days and nights pass by quickly. With each sunset our life becomes one day shorter. Capitalize on each day that you are still alive by accumulating as much merit as you can. In times of trouble, reflect on your merit. Know how to build up merit and know how to maintain merit. Use your merit wisely as you would use your money.
January 11, 1991 |
Don?t wait
We don't know when our final day will come. Start going to the temple now while you still can. don't wait until someone has to carry you into the temple (for your own funeral).
Days and nights pass by quickly. With each sunset our life becomes one day shorter. Capitalize on each day that you are still alive by accumulating as much merit as you can. In times of trouble, reflect on your merit. Know how to build up merit and know how to maintain merit. Use your merit wisely as you would use your money.
January 11, 1991
| 61) Priceless treasure
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| At this moment I'm still healthy; let me tell you what is on my mind. Remember my words.
I'm giving you an invaluable treasure. Please take good care of the treasure that I'm giving to you. You will be able to look after your spiritual well-being in the future. I have only virtuous intentions for everyone. I want to give "ultimate benefits" to others.
May you always be on the moral path, determined to make merit while you are young and strong, and to pursue it to the best of your ability.
After we finish building our Temple, I will offer the Temple (Buddhajak Center**) to the Buddhas13 in Nibbana. All of us will benefit from this transcendental merit. Maintain this great merit by keeping our Temple pure and clean. Let Luang Por (Dhammajayo) know everything, positive or negative, according to the truth.
Honor your pure intentions, your good morality, and your genuine truthfulness; in the same manner I have honored mine.
May 5, 1979
**Buddliajak Center is the former name of the Dhammakaya Temple. |
Priceless treasure
At this moment I'm still healthy; let me tell you what is on my mind. Remember my words.
I'm giving you an invaluable treasure. Please take good care of the treasure that I'm giving to you. You will be able to look after your spiritual well-being in the future. I have only virtuous intentions for everyone. I want to give "ultimate benefits" to others.
May you always be on the moral path, determined to make merit while you are young and strong, and to pursue it to the best of your ability.
After we finish building our Temple, I will offer the Temple (Buddhajak Center**) to the Buddhas13 in Nibbana. All of us will benefit from this transcendental merit. Maintain this great merit by keeping our Temple pure and clean. Let Luang Por (Dhammajayo) know everything, positive or negative, according to the truth.
Honor your pure intentions, your good morality, and your genuine truthfulness; in the same manner I have honored mine.
May 5, 1979
**Buddliajak Center is the former name of the Dhammakaya Temple.
| 62) Time waits for no one
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| Lazy people are feeble-minded. They don't know how to think.
The moment you wake up, you should realize that days are going by, months
are going by, years are going by, and time waits for no one.
If you want to do something good, do it now and do it well.
Do only good things. When you make merit, you take merits with you as
your blessing. When you commit wrongdoings, you carry demerits with you
as your curse.
May 10, 1992 |
Time waits for no one
Lazy people are feeble-minded. They don't know how to think.
The moment you wake up, you should realize that days are going by, months
are going by, years are going by, and time waits for no one.
If you want to do something good, do it now and do it well.
Do only good things. When you make merit, you take merits with you as
your blessing. When you commit wrongdoings, you carry demerits with you
as your curse.
May 10, 1992
| 63) Don?t let time pass by uselessly
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| Our life is getting shorter and shorter. Hurry and do more good deeds. don't
let time pass by you for naught. It's a pity to be wasting time. Time wasted
is life wasted.
September 8, 1982 |
Don?t let time pass by uselessly
Our life is getting shorter and shorter. Hurry and do more good deeds. don't
let time pass by you for naught. It's a pity to be wasting time. Time wasted
is life wasted.
September 8, 1982
| 64) We are puppets
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| I reflect on death, realizing that time waits for no one. That's why I made
"Kathina" offerings, robe offerings to monks, while I still could. Any day
could be my last. I don't know when I will pass away, so I rushed to make
more merit, realizing that merit is the only thing I can take with me when
I die. We can't take anything with us when we die, except merit and demerit.
We are like puppets; merit and demerit are our puppet masters. When we
do good deeds, merit pulls us up. When we do bad deeds, demerit pushes
us down.
October 28, 1991
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Note: Kathina: Annual robe offering made to the temples whose member monks observe the Buddhist Lent. |
We are puppets
I reflect on death, realizing that time waits for no one. That's why I made
"Kathina" offerings, robe offerings to monks, while I still could. Any day
could be my last. I don't know when I will pass away, so I rushed to make
more merit, realizing that merit is the only thing I can take with me when
I die. We can't take anything with us when we die, except merit and demerit.
We are like puppets; merit and demerit are our puppet masters. When we
do good deeds, merit pulls us up. When we do bad deeds, demerit pushes
us down.
October 28, 1991
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Note: Kathina: Annual robe offering made to the temples whose member monks observe the Buddhist Lent.
| 65) Preparing for it
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| I made a resolution that no matter how serious my illness may be, I want the
doctor to conceal nothing from me, but tell me everything as it is, so I can
be prepared.
March 24, 1981 |
Preparing for it
I made a resolution that no matter how serious my illness may be, I want the
doctor to conceal nothing from me, but tell me everything as it is, so I can
be prepared.
March 24, 1981
| 66) Hurry on
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| You are young. You are strong. Row your boat as hard as you can. Hurry and continue to row on. don't be bothered if others slow down. For us, we must make the best of our own life.
This is our last life, our last existence. When we depart, we must take only the good things with us. Grab the victory flag. Never go backwards. Keep rowing forward.
I say this is our last life because before this life we may have been deficient and inconsistent in our practice of good deeds. But in this life we must try harder and be more determined. We can no longer give in.
We must also make resolutions that encompass everything that is good. We will wish that we encounter only good things, maintain celibacy in every lifetime until we reach Nibbana10, and never cross paths with bad people- -people who lack morality and truthfulness.
In the end, what is left of this world is only merit and demerit. Humans are "puppets" played by merit and demerit.
September 5, 1979 |
Hurry on
You are young. You are strong. Row your boat as hard as you can. Hurry and continue to row on. don't be bothered if others slow down. For us, we must make the best of our own life.
This is our last life, our last existence. When we depart, we must take only the good things with us. Grab the victory flag. Never go backwards. Keep rowing forward.
I say this is our last life because before this life we may have been deficient and inconsistent in our practice of good deeds. But in this life we must try harder and be more determined. We can no longer give in.
We must also make resolutions that encompass everything that is good. We will wish that we encounter only good things, maintain celibacy in every lifetime until we reach Nibbana10, and never cross paths with bad people- -people who lack morality and truthfulness.
In the end, what is left of this world is only merit and demerit. Humans are "puppets" played by merit and demerit.
September 5, 1979
| 67) Already old
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| Bear in mind that you are getting older every day. don't take your youth for
granted. I have been telling myself that I am old ever since I was a young
woman, and it has motivated me to hurry up and pursue Perfections.
March 24, 1981 |
Already old
Bear in mind that you are getting older every day. don't take your youth for
granted. I have been telling myself that I am old ever since I was a young
woman, and it has motivated me to hurry up and pursue Perfections.
March 24, 1981
| 68) Don?t be reckless about your age
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| We are already old. don't think that you are still young. Reflect on aging.
If you get carried away with thinking that you are still young and do things
that you are not supposed to do, you may misstep into an unhappy realm.
Try to accumulate more transcendental merit than worldly merit. It is the
transcendental merit that releases you from defilements.
February 16, 1975
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Note: Defilements (kilesa), mental impurities consisting of greed, anger and delusion; hindrances or poisons
that cause beings to perform intentional deeds (kamma) and suffer rebirth. |
Don?t be reckless about your age
We are already old. don't think that you are still young. Reflect on aging.
If you get carried away with thinking that you are still young and do things
that you are not supposed to do, you may misstep into an unhappy realm.
Try to accumulate more transcendental merit than worldly merit. It is the
transcendental merit that releases you from defilements.
February 16, 1975
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Note: Defilements (kilesa), mental impurities consisting of greed, anger and delusion; hindrances or poisons
that cause beings to perform intentional deeds (kamma) and suffer rebirth.
| 69) Strive to build maximum merit
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| Dhamma is something deep and profound. It is not easy for ordinary people to attain or even comprehend in a short amount of time.
You know that it is difficult to be born as a human. One has to overcome innumerable odds before one gets to become a human. Now that you are a human and have found Buddhism, you should make your life worthwhile.
Build as much parami (Perfections) as possible until your virtue is whole enough to help you find your way out of suffering.
Being born human is a great blessing indeed. It doesn't matter whether you are born into a rich or poor family, a fortunate or unfortunate condition, you should accept it and carry on. There is nothing anyone can do to change this.
You have become the way you are because of what you have done in the past. It is your kamma8. If you want to improve your conditions, you have to commit to doing more good deeds.
Everyone who is born will eventually die. We all have to die, but no one knows when his/her time will come. Because of this, we must do all we can to accumulate as much merit as possible. Merit is the only possession we can take with us after we die.
We are the way we are because of what we have done. Learn to endure it. Do the best you can for yourself. Do the best you can in everything. Good things will eventually come to you. You will die regardless of whether you do it or not. It is better to do it and to do it well.
don't be lazy with your meditation. Meditate as much as you can to cultivate good mindfulness. If your mindfulness is weak, you will be vulnerable to evil thoughts that give rise to bad kamma.
But if you maintain good mindfulness, virtue will be with you instead, leaving no room for negative kamma to enter.
January 31, 1975
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Under the Law of Kamma, by which all creatures must live, a person bears the consequences of his own actions. Bad actions cause bad consequences and good actions bear good consequences. |
Strive to build maximum merit
Dhamma is something deep and profound. It is not easy for ordinary people to attain or even comprehend in a short amount of time.
You know that it is difficult to be born as a human. One has to overcome innumerable odds before one gets to become a human. Now that you are a human and have found Buddhism, you should make your life worthwhile.
Build as much parami (Perfections) as possible until your virtue is whole enough to help you find your way out of suffering.
Being born human is a great blessing indeed. It doesn't matter whether you are born into a rich or poor family, a fortunate or unfortunate condition, you should accept it and carry on. There is nothing anyone can do to change this.
You have become the way you are because of what you have done in the past. It is your kamma8. If you want to improve your conditions, you have to commit to doing more good deeds.
Everyone who is born will eventually die. We all have to die, but no one knows when his/her time will come. Because of this, we must do all we can to accumulate as much merit as possible. Merit is the only possession we can take with us after we die.
We are the way we are because of what we have done. Learn to endure it. Do the best you can for yourself. Do the best you can in everything. Good things will eventually come to you. You will die regardless of whether you do it or not. It is better to do it and to do it well.
don't be lazy with your meditation. Meditate as much as you can to cultivate good mindfulness. If your mindfulness is weak, you will be vulnerable to evil thoughts that give rise to bad kamma.
But if you maintain good mindfulness, virtue will be with you instead, leaving no room for negative kamma to enter.
January 31, 1975
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Under the Law of Kamma, by which all creatures must live, a person bears the consequences of his own actions. Bad actions cause bad consequences and good actions bear good consequences.
| 70) Born alone, die alone
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| We were born alone and we will die alone.
There is no need to worry about others if we can't even save ourselves. If we can't save ourselves, and don't have a firm grip on our own refuge, then maybe we are not good enough to save others. We, ourselves, may be vulnerable to Mara.
Now that we have found Buddhism, now that we have found the most important and beneficial knowledge, what are we still waiting for? Why are we not reaping the benefits?
Are we going to wait until we are too old?
We don't know when our final moment may arrive. If we die unexpectedly, do we want to find ourselves in a hell realm? doesn't it bother you to think that your time in this life may be for naught? don't you feel sorry for the wasted time, and the wasted life?
The purpose of our life is to pursue ?Perfections?7 (parami). Preserve and protect our merit. Only merit will carry us through in the end.
Transcendental merit (merit gained from meditation) is very important. How much do you expect of life when you have accumulated so little transcendental merit?
If we are born into this world and allow our life to be wasted, why bother to be born at all? Chattering, fooling around, frivolous pursuits, what do we gain from such activities? Are we winning or losing in our quest for Perfections?
You must protect your merit. If you don't protect it, pay no attention to it, or don't reflect on it regularly, your merit will become weak and stop flowing. But if you constantly reflect on it, your merit will keep flowing.
Ask yourself what you want for your future. Do you wish to become lost amidst the deceptions of pleasurable sight, sound, smell, taste and touch?
Reflect upon this carefully. A wrong path, once chosen, is hard to deviate from.
February 9, 1975
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Perfections (parami): ?Perfected. Virtues?; transcendental virtues. In Buddhism, Perfections are transcendental virtues cultivated as a way of purification, purifying karma and helping the aspirant to live an unobstructed life, while reaching the goal of enlightenment. |
Born alone, die alone
We were born alone and we will die alone.
There is no need to worry about others if we can't even save ourselves. If we can't save ourselves, and don't have a firm grip on our own refuge, then maybe we are not good enough to save others. We, ourselves, may be vulnerable to Mara.
Now that we have found Buddhism, now that we have found the most important and beneficial knowledge, what are we still waiting for? Why are we not reaping the benefits?
Are we going to wait until we are too old?
We don't know when our final moment may arrive. If we die unexpectedly, do we want to find ourselves in a hell realm? doesn't it bother you to think that your time in this life may be for naught? don't you feel sorry for the wasted time, and the wasted life?
The purpose of our life is to pursue ?Perfections?7 (parami). Preserve and protect our merit. Only merit will carry us through in the end.
Transcendental merit (merit gained from meditation) is very important. How much do you expect of life when you have accumulated so little transcendental merit?
If we are born into this world and allow our life to be wasted, why bother to be born at all? Chattering, fooling around, frivolous pursuits, what do we gain from such activities? Are we winning or losing in our quest for Perfections?
You must protect your merit. If you don't protect it, pay no attention to it, or don't reflect on it regularly, your merit will become weak and stop flowing. But if you constantly reflect on it, your merit will keep flowing.
Ask yourself what you want for your future. Do you wish to become lost amidst the deceptions of pleasurable sight, sound, smell, taste and touch?
Reflect upon this carefully. A wrong path, once chosen, is hard to deviate from.
February 9, 1975
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Perfections (parami): ?Perfected. Virtues?; transcendental virtues. In Buddhism, Perfections are transcendental virtues cultivated as a way of purification, purifying karma and helping the aspirant to live an unobstructed life, while reaching the goal of enlightenment.
| 71) It?s the present that counts
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| A boy came to me once and asked: "What was I, who was I in my past life?"
I told him: "Put aside curiosities about your past lives. What matters is
your life here and now. What have you done for yourself in this life that will
save you?"
March 10, 1991 |
It?s the present that counts
A boy came to me once and asked: "What was I, who was I in my past life?"
I told him: "Put aside curiosities about your past lives. What matters is
your life here and now. What have you done for yourself in this life that will
save you?"
March 10, 1991
| 72) For your own benefit and for the benefit of others
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| I do things for my own benefit and for the benefit of others. We should do
something worthwhile for ourselves. After having done something worthwhile
for ourselves, we should also do something worthwhile for the mass.
Then we can say that this life is worthwhile.
March 4, 1980 |
For your own benefit and for the benefit of others
I do things for my own benefit and for the benefit of others. We should do
something worthwhile for ourselves. After having done something worthwhile
for ourselves, we should also do something worthwhile for the mass.
Then we can say that this life is worthwhile.
March 4, 1980
| 73) Rely on merit
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| In the end, only we can help ourselves. We can't count on others. We must rely
on our own merit and our own determination.
If we constantly focus our minds to the centers of our bodies, all truths
will reveal themselves and our knowledge will be far-reaching and unlimited.
But if we let our minds wander from the center of our bodies, our knowledge
will be constrained and limited.
September 3, 1988 |
Rely on merit
In the end, only we can help ourselves. We can't count on others. We must rely
on our own merit and our own determination.
If we constantly focus our minds to the centers of our bodies, all truths
will reveal themselves and our knowledge will be far-reaching and unlimited.
But if we let our minds wander from the center of our bodies, our knowledge
will be constrained and limited.
September 3, 1988
| 74) Improve yourself
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| We must take the viewpoint that this is our last life on earth and our last
opportunity to make a spiritual improvements.
Now is our final life. Let us improve ourselves in the best way. Let us
accumulate as much merit as we can. Let our merit be as big as a mountain.
If we want to build great merit we must meditate a great deal, and also make
wishes or resolutions that are all-encompassing. |
Improve yourself
We must take the viewpoint that this is our last life on earth and our last
opportunity to make a spiritual improvements.
Now is our final life. Let us improve ourselves in the best way. Let us
accumulate as much merit as we can. Let our merit be as big as a mountain.
If we want to build great merit we must meditate a great deal, and also make
wishes or resolutions that are all-encompassing.
| 75) Love yourself
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| Build virtue. When your merit is as big as a mountain, your obstacles will
have no effect on you. Your goodness will be seen by others.
Remember these words: "build virtue; accumulate merit."
If you do this, you will be known as someone who values yourself,
someone who strives to be a better person. Accumulate as much merit
as you can. One day your merit will be whole, and all the success and
happiness will be yours.
November 17, 1982 |
Love yourself
Build virtue. When your merit is as big as a mountain, your obstacles will
have no effect on you. Your goodness will be seen by others.
Remember these words: "build virtue; accumulate merit."
If you do this, you will be known as someone who values yourself,
someone who strives to be a better person. Accumulate as much merit
as you can. One day your merit will be whole, and all the success and
happiness will be yours.
November 17, 1982
| 76) Create blessings for yours
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| If life is to be prosperous, one must create "blessings" for oneself.
Think of ways to bring auspicious things into your life. Try to think of only
good and positive thoughts that are auspicious.
This will help cultivate your
mind in a positive direction. If your mind is wholesome, your speech will
become auspicious. Everything you do will also become auspicious.
November 7, 1980
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Note: Blessings (mangala): prosperity; auspiciousness; good omen; anything that is conducive to success. |
Create blessings for yours
If life is to be prosperous, one must create "blessings" for oneself.
Think of ways to bring auspicious things into your life. Try to think of only
good and positive thoughts that are auspicious.
This will help cultivate your
mind in a positive direction. If your mind is wholesome, your speech will
become auspicious. Everything you do will also become auspicious.
November 7, 1980
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Note: Blessings (mangala): prosperity; auspiciousness; good omen; anything that is conducive to success.
| 77) Dhamma is your refuge
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| I see all the way through. I see clearly that, out of everything in this world and beyond?physical, natural, and spiritual?no one can help me but me.Who else can relieve my suffering? No one can, except me.That?s why I try to help myself all of the time. I find ways to help myself. I rely on myself. I rely on my Dhamma. I managed to survive everything because I have Dhamma as my refuge.May 5, 1980 |
Dhamma is your refuge
I see all the way through. I see clearly that, out of everything in this world and beyond?physical, natural, and spiritual?no one can help me but me.Who else can relieve my suffering? No one can, except me.That?s why I try to help myself all of the time. I find ways to help myself. I rely on myself. I rely on my Dhamma. I managed to survive everything because I have Dhamma as my refuge.May 5, 1980
| 78) Do it for yourself
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| When Luang Por Wat Paknam was guiding the super-advanced meditation group, he asked every meditator, one by one, what his/her purpose was for performing this super-advanced meditation. Some said they did it for Buddhism; others said they did it for Luang Por. Everyone gave the same types of answers.
When it was my turn to answer, I said, ?I am doing it for myself.?
This was the answer that pleased Luang Por the most. He said, ?This is the way to go! You guys are here to do it for yourselves, not for anyone else. No one can do it for others. You do it because you want to free yourself from suffering?to free yourself from the enslavement of the ?Mara5?. ?September 20, 1982 |
Do it for yourself
When Luang Por Wat Paknam was guiding the super-advanced meditation group, he asked every meditator, one by one, what his/her purpose was for performing this super-advanced meditation. Some said they did it for Buddhism; others said they did it for Luang Por. Everyone gave the same types of answers.
When it was my turn to answer, I said, ?I am doing it for myself.?
This was the answer that pleased Luang Por the most. He said, ?This is the way to go! You guys are here to do it for yourselves, not for anyone else. No one can do it for others. You do it because you want to free yourself from suffering?to free yourself from the enslavement of the ?Mara5?. ?September 20, 1982
| 79) Look within yourself
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| I look at myself. I look through myself. I understand ?me? clearly.
I look into my physical self to find my human nature until I thoroughly understand it. Then I look deeper into my spiritual self, to find my transcendental nature, until I understand this too.
Once I understood myself, I understood others and everything else.
This is the way of Dhamma. It sounds strange but it is true and it is profound.
Try to understand ourselves truly, and we will understand everything and everyone else clearly, because this world is about us. Look inside us and we will see the world clearly.
But the ways of the world are not like this?we tend to look at others and try to understand them instead of ourselves. When we fail to understand them we get frustrated. By looking so hard at others, we forget to look at ourselves. Acting this way will never help us truly understand.
As for me, I look to myself to understand ?me? first. Then I will understand others.
May 5,1980 |
Look within yourself
I look at myself. I look through myself. I understand ?me? clearly.
I look into my physical self to find my human nature until I thoroughly understand it. Then I look deeper into my spiritual self, to find my transcendental nature, until I understand this too.
Once I understood myself, I understood others and everything else.
This is the way of Dhamma. It sounds strange but it is true and it is profound.
Try to understand ourselves truly, and we will understand everything and everyone else clearly, because this world is about us. Look inside us and we will see the world clearly.
But the ways of the world are not like this?we tend to look at others and try to understand them instead of ourselves. When we fail to understand them we get frustrated. By looking so hard at others, we forget to look at ourselves. Acting this way will never help us truly understand.
As for me, I look to myself to understand ?me? first. Then I will understand others.
May 5,1980
| 80) TEACH YOURSELF
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| We must learn how to teach ourselves. I never had to be taught by anyone,yet I knew how to do everything on my own.
I didn?t know how to read or write, but I observed and I learned how to teach myself.
Take cleaning, for example. No one had to teach me. My father didn?t teach My mother didn?t teach me. I taught myself.
Since I was a little girl living in Nakorn Chaisri, after each meal I would collectall the pots and pans and dishes and clean them. I would clean them until they were completely spotless, inside and out.
When cleaning the stairs of the house, I would scrub the top surface as well as underneath the stairs. My older siblings would ask me why I had to clean underneath as well. I would say, ?I don?t know, I like doing it this way. I just feel like making everything clean.? I taught myself to make everything clean, inside and out.
Even as a grown up, if I saw a dirty spot I would clean it as soon as I could. It is a habit I keep till this day.
It stung when the bedbugs bit me, but I would not kill them. I would catch them and put them in a spittoon covered with a piece of paper so they could not get away. When morning came, I would release these bedbugs elsewhere.
I cleaned until everything around me became spotless. My bed was clean.
Even my old mosquito net was utterly clean.
I have been like this since I was a little girl. I love cleanliness and orderliness.
I know where everything should or should not be. I taught myself everything.
I know when to do what. I know how to manage my time and how to handle my tasks. When I was at Wat Paknam I taught myself orderliness and discipline.
After I attained meditation skills to recall past lives, I traversed into my past to find out why I became the person I am. Through meditation, I found that the reason I was capable of self teaching was because I had meditated a great deal in my previous existences. The merits gained from my meditation in the past lives have given rise to the knowledge and wisdom that enabled me to teach myself. You, too, should meditate as much as you can to develop the ability to teach yourself. November 6, 1980 |
TEACH YOURSELF
We must learn how to teach ourselves. I never had to be taught by anyone,yet I knew how to do everything on my own.
I didn?t know how to read or write, but I observed and I learned how to teach myself.
Take cleaning, for example. No one had to teach me. My father didn?t teach My mother didn?t teach me. I taught myself.
Since I was a little girl living in Nakorn Chaisri, after each meal I would collectall the pots and pans and dishes and clean them. I would clean them until they were completely spotless, inside and out.
When cleaning the stairs of the house, I would scrub the top surface as well as underneath the stairs. My older siblings would ask me why I had to clean underneath as well. I would say, ?I don?t know, I like doing it this way. I just feel like making everything clean.? I taught myself to make everything clean, inside and out.
Even as a grown up, if I saw a dirty spot I would clean it as soon as I could. It is a habit I keep till this day.
It stung when the bedbugs bit me, but I would not kill them. I would catch them and put them in a spittoon covered with a piece of paper so they could not get away. When morning came, I would release these bedbugs elsewhere.
I cleaned until everything around me became spotless. My bed was clean.
Even my old mosquito net was utterly clean.
I have been like this since I was a little girl. I love cleanliness and orderliness.
I know where everything should or should not be. I taught myself everything.
I know when to do what. I know how to manage my time and how to handle my tasks. When I was at Wat Paknam I taught myself orderliness and discipline.
After I attained meditation skills to recall past lives, I traversed into my past to find out why I became the person I am. Through meditation, I found that the reason I was capable of self teaching was because I had meditated a great deal in my previous existences. The merits gained from my meditation in the past lives have given rise to the knowledge and wisdom that enabled me to teach myself. You, too, should meditate as much as you can to develop the ability to teach yourself. November 6, 1980
| 81) Rely on yourself
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| I said to myself: ?In all of the world, material or spiritual, you cannot depend on
others. You need to depend on yourself. Never rely on others.?
May 23, 1981 |
Rely on yourself
I said to myself: ?In all of the world, material or spiritual, you cannot depend on
others. You need to depend on yourself. Never rely on others.?
May 23, 1981
| 82) How to relieve suffering
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| When you feel despair, chant a lot, and meditate a lot. No one can help you
as well as you can help yourself.
February, 27 1982 |
How to relieve suffering
When you feel despair, chant a lot, and meditate a lot. No one can help you
as well as you can help yourself.
February, 27 1982
| 83) Save yourself first
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| We are like a small, helpless baby bird vulnerable to dangers. Save yourself
from danger before thinking and worrying about saving others.
After I left home, I never looked back. I only returned once to attend my
mother?s funeral. When I got home, I gave all my property and possessions
away. I gave my 15-rai (approx. 6 acres) rice field to my younger sister
because she took care of our mother, and my 20-rai (approx. 8 acres) rice
field to my younger brother, a monk, for his future welfare.
May 6, 198 |
Save yourself first
We are like a small, helpless baby bird vulnerable to dangers. Save yourself
from danger before thinking and worrying about saving others.
After I left home, I never looked back. I only returned once to attend my
mother?s funeral. When I got home, I gave all my property and possessions
away. I gave my 15-rai (approx. 6 acres) rice field to my younger sister
because she took care of our mother, and my 20-rai (approx. 8 acres) rice
field to my younger brother, a monk, for his future welfare.
May 6, 198
| 84) Contemplate with dhamma
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| When facing a difficult situation, look at it from the viewpoint of Dhamma3.
Don?t be victimized by the influence of defilements.
Reflect on Dhamma at all times. Wisdom gained from meditation will lead
you to the right knowledge and awareness.
Time flies by quickly. Days, weeks and months go by, and all of a sudden
a year is gone. Ask what you have done for yourself. Are you conducting
your life in a way that fulfills your goals? What should you strive for? What
should you refrain from? Are you doing the things appropriate for who you
are? Always be mindful. Don?t become deluded in yourself.
Note: Khun Yai frequently used the term "Dhamma" to refer to the practice of meditation.
Dhamma (Skt. Dharma): the truth; the natural condition of things or beings; the law of their existence; the ethical code of righteousness; the whole body of religious doctrines as a system; the Teachings of Buddha; |
Contemplate with dhamma
When facing a difficult situation, look at it from the viewpoint of Dhamma3.
Don?t be victimized by the influence of defilements.
Reflect on Dhamma at all times. Wisdom gained from meditation will lead
you to the right knowledge and awareness.
Time flies by quickly. Days, weeks and months go by, and all of a sudden
a year is gone. Ask what you have done for yourself. Are you conducting
your life in a way that fulfills your goals? What should you strive for? What
should you refrain from? Are you doing the things appropriate for who you
are? Always be mindful. Don?t become deluded in yourself.
Note: Khun Yai frequently used the term "Dhamma" to refer to the practice of meditation.
Dhamma (Skt. Dharma): the truth; the natural condition of things or beings; the law of their existence; the ethical code of righteousness; the whole body of religious doctrines as a system; the Teachings of Buddha;
| 85) Examine yourself
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| Before bedtime each night, take a few minutes to meditate upon your day.
Reflect on everything you have done throughout the day, from the time you wake up, to the time you go to bed (i.e., waking, eating, working, meditating,keeping the precepts, giving alms).
Reflect on how much merit you have accumulated and how many bad deeds you have committed today. Resolve to relinquish all the negative actions that
lead to bad Kamma.
don't even let one particle of your demerit linger with you overnight.
Contemplate on giving up. Give up wrongdoings. Give up bad actions.
Give up everything evil. Give up the slackness in your meditation.
Contemplate on improving. Improve on doing more good deeds. Make the
effort to improve yourself and build up good kamma every day. Think of this
life as your final existence and your last opportunity to capture all the merits.
September 31, 1976 |
Examine yourself
Before bedtime each night, take a few minutes to meditate upon your day.
Reflect on everything you have done throughout the day, from the time you wake up, to the time you go to bed (i.e., waking, eating, working, meditating,keeping the precepts, giving alms).
Reflect on how much merit you have accumulated and how many bad deeds you have committed today. Resolve to relinquish all the negative actions that
lead to bad Kamma.
don't even let one particle of your demerit linger with you overnight.
Contemplate on giving up. Give up wrongdoings. Give up bad actions.
Give up everything evil. Give up the slackness in your meditation.
Contemplate on improving. Improve on doing more good deeds. Make the
effort to improve yourself and build up good kamma every day. Think of this
life as your final existence and your last opportunity to capture all the merits.
September 31, 1976
| 86) Even in illness
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| Even when ill, I stay committed to making merit. I never stop. Once, while I was ill, I meditated and saw the Dhammakaya within me to be incredibly clear and bright. I beheld Him for a long time, and when I opened my eyes, even the midday sunlight looked dark to me. The practice of meditation is the most important thing. Remember this, and meditate as much as you can.
November 20, 1982 |
Even in illness
Even when ill, I stay committed to making merit. I never stop. Once, while I was ill, I meditated and saw the Dhammakaya within me to be incredibly clear and bright. I beheld Him for a long time, and when I opened my eyes, even the midday sunlight looked dark to me. The practice of meditation is the most important thing. Remember this, and meditate as much as you can.
November 20, 1982
| 87) Stay in merit
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| When I find myself confronted with a serious situation, I keep my mind
concentrated on Dhamma, concentrated in the virtue and in the merit that
I have accumulated in my past lives to help me overcome my troubles.
With merit, all obstacles can be conquered. No matter what happens, I am
never frightened or nervous because I trust that my merit will help me. For
instance, when the temple kitchen lacked supplies, I would center my mind
in merit and reach out for my ?spiritual treasure? to fulfill my need.
The word ?lack? should not be in your vocabulary as long as you have merit
to help. If I ever complain, it is to remind people when things need to get
done, but my mind always remains firmly in merit.
April 4, 1979 |
Stay in merit
When I find myself confronted with a serious situation, I keep my mind
concentrated on Dhamma, concentrated in the virtue and in the merit that
I have accumulated in my past lives to help me overcome my troubles.
With merit, all obstacles can be conquered. No matter what happens, I am
never frightened or nervous because I trust that my merit will help me. For
instance, when the temple kitchen lacked supplies, I would center my mind
in merit and reach out for my ?spiritual treasure? to fulfill my need.
The word ?lack? should not be in your vocabulary as long as you have merit
to help. If I ever complain, it is to remind people when things need to get
done, but my mind always remains firmly in merit.
April 4, 1979
| 88) Merit power
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| Everything is determined by merit power. If we had nothing else but merit to
our name, we would still achieve success.
In this life, my mind is fixed on the quest for virtue and merit. The one thing
which concerns me is that my merit will be less than other people?s. This
is the reason why I am so focused. I do not want to be the one to get left
behind. I want to be in the forefront of virtue building.
November 5, 1979 |
Merit power
Everything is determined by merit power. If we had nothing else but merit to
our name, we would still achieve success.
In this life, my mind is fixed on the quest for virtue and merit. The one thing
which concerns me is that my merit will be less than other people?s. This
is the reason why I am so focused. I do not want to be the one to get left
behind. I want to be in the forefront of virtue building.
November 5, 1979
| 89) Using merit correctly
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| The act of charity returns to us in good fortune. The act of mental cultivation
brings us deliverance. Meditate frequently.
Before merit can be generated, there is a great deal of effort involved. Merit
making can be complete only when the following elements are present: faith,
a good ?field of merit25?, an act of good deed, and the right combination
of everything else. Since merit26 is not so easy to come by, do not waste an
opportunity to acquire it. Preserve your merit and know how to use your
merit the right way. Merit is your vehicle to success and happiness.
December 1979 |
Using merit correctly
The act of charity returns to us in good fortune. The act of mental cultivation
brings us deliverance. Meditate frequently.
Before merit can be generated, there is a great deal of effort involved. Merit
making can be complete only when the following elements are present: faith,
a good ?field of merit25?, an act of good deed, and the right combination
of everything else. Since merit26 is not so easy to come by, do not waste an
opportunity to acquire it. Preserve your merit and know how to use your
merit the right way. Merit is your vehicle to success and happiness.
December 1979
| 90) Let merit be your refuge
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| Merit is my refuge. I love merit above all else because it is the one thing that can save me. Human beings still carry defilements. Sometimes a person can be good, and sometimes he can be bad. But merit is the one thing I can always rely on for goodness.
January 26, 1991 |
Let merit be your refuge
Merit is my refuge. I love merit above all else because it is the one thing that can save me. Human beings still carry defilements. Sometimes a person can be good, and sometimes he can be bad. But merit is the one thing I can always rely on for goodness.
January 26, 1991
| 91) Don?t neglect merit-making
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| It is difficult to be born as a human being. Now that you are born a human
being, do not waste your opportunity to make merit. If you have a little,
then donate a little. If you have a lot, then donate more. Make a donation
according to your ability, but don?t allow yourself to get into trouble for overdoing
Whatever your financial situation is, don?t neglect the act of charity.
For me, I perform merits regardless of what happens. I may be illiterate, yet
I managed to build this temple, and I was able to preside at a major Kathina
Ceremony. The merit I have accumulated has allowed me to do extraordinary
things that are beyond an ordinary person?s ability. But with as much merit
as I have already made, I still want to do more. I want to participate in the
Kathina Ceremonies and all other meritorious activities. I want to acquire all
forms of merit, mundane and transcendental.
November 7, 1980 |
Don?t neglect merit-making
It is difficult to be born as a human being. Now that you are born a human
being, do not waste your opportunity to make merit. If you have a little,
then donate a little. If you have a lot, then donate more. Make a donation
according to your ability, but don?t allow yourself to get into trouble for overdoing
Whatever your financial situation is, don?t neglect the act of charity.
For me, I perform merits regardless of what happens. I may be illiterate, yet
I managed to build this temple, and I was able to preside at a major Kathina
Ceremony. The merit I have accumulated has allowed me to do extraordinary
things that are beyond an ordinary person?s ability. But with as much merit
as I have already made, I still want to do more. I want to participate in the
Kathina Ceremonies and all other meritorious activities. I want to acquire all
forms of merit, mundane and transcendental.
November 7, 1980
| 92) Acquire both mundane and transcendental merits
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| Addressing someone who wanted only to meditate and not participate in any mundane chores: I acquire all forms of merit, mundane and transcendental. Mundane merit helps me in self-development, while transcendental merit gives me the ability to teach myself. But once we attain the Dhammakaya28 (reaching a clear-seeing state), we will have the wisdom to accomplish our mundane tasks more easily. |
Acquire both mundane and transcendental merits
Addressing someone who wanted only to meditate and not participate in any mundane chores: I acquire all forms of merit, mundane and transcendental. Mundane merit helps me in self-development, while transcendental merit gives me the ability to teach myself. But once we attain the Dhammakaya28 (reaching a clear-seeing state), we will have the wisdom to accomplish our mundane tasks more easily.
| 93) Reap what you sow
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| We cannot escape the consequences of our actions. We can escape neither the effect of our merit (good kamma) nor our demerit (bad kamma). Both our merit and demerit are imbedded to the center of our body. It is the kamma that stays with us. There is no way to rid ourselves of it. We reap what we sow; when we do good deeds, these good deeds turn into merits which bring success and happiness to our lives.
August 23, 1979 |
Reap what you sow
We cannot escape the consequences of our actions. We can escape neither the effect of our merit (good kamma) nor our demerit (bad kamma). Both our merit and demerit are imbedded to the center of our body. It is the kamma that stays with us. There is no way to rid ourselves of it. We reap what we sow; when we do good deeds, these good deeds turn into merits which bring success and happiness to our lives.
August 23, 1979
| 94) Carrying merit and demerit
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| Whatever action (kamma) we commit, we carry the result of that action with us, good or bad. If our action is good, we carry merit. If our action is bad, we carry demerit.
You alone carry the burden you create for yourself. If others speak or act unkindly towards you, don't get angry and retaliate back. Forgive them and put an end to the cycle of hostility between you now.
May 10, 1992 |
Carrying merit and demerit
Whatever action (kamma) we commit, we carry the result of that action with us, good or bad. If our action is good, we carry merit. If our action is bad, we carry demerit.
You alone carry the burden you create for yourself. If others speak or act unkindly towards you, don't get angry and retaliate back. Forgive them and put an end to the cycle of hostility between you now.
May 10, 1992
| 95) Take the long term view
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| I am someone who takes the long term view (seeing beyond this life). Nothing can be taken with us after death except our merit and demerit.
Accumulate as much merit as you can. Our life does not end here. Never mind what others might say. Ignore them; there is no use for argument. Let them realize the truth when their own death comes.
October 1, 1992 |
Take the long term view
I am someone who takes the long term view (seeing beyond this life). Nothing can be taken with us after death except our merit and demerit.
Accumulate as much merit as you can. Our life does not end here. Never mind what others might say. Ignore them; there is no use for argument. Let them realize the truth when their own death comes.
October 1, 1992
| 96) One who attracts
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| Build up your merit as much as you can. Build a mountain of merit! It doesn't matter what other people do; for us, we just keep on doing good deeds even if no one finds out about it. One who is virtuous will eventually be noticed and will attract the company of others.
November 17, 1982 |
One who attracts
Build up your merit as much as you can. Build a mountain of merit! It doesn't matter what other people do; for us, we just keep on doing good deeds even if no one finds out about it. One who is virtuous will eventually be noticed and will attract the company of others.
November 17, 1982
| 97) Do only good deeds
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| Build only good kamma. End all evils in this lifetime, so only good kamma will be ours in future lifetimes.
We are still subject to rebirth because of the defilements we carry, but from now on, avoid all bad actions and embrace only good ones so our rebirth will be a positive one.
February 14, 1982 |
Do only good deeds
Build only good kamma. End all evils in this lifetime, so only good kamma will be ours in future lifetimes.
We are still subject to rebirth because of the defilements we carry, but from now on, avoid all bad actions and embrace only good ones so our rebirth will be a positive one.
February 14, 1982
| 98) Taking care of the temple
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| For those who help clean temple grounds, no matter which level of Heaven they ascend to after death, whether it is Catummaharajika, Tavatimsa, Yama, or Tusita , their celestial abode will be brightly illuminated, and their complexion will be more radiant than other heavenly beings.
Not many people volunteer to clean the temple, and not many celestial beings have this glowing complexion. If you have the energy, you should do it so the merit will be yours. Accumulate merit at every opportunity that comes your way.
January 29, 1983 |
Taking care of the temple
For those who help clean temple grounds, no matter which level of Heaven they ascend to after death, whether it is Catummaharajika, Tavatimsa, Yama, or Tusita , their celestial abode will be brightly illuminated, and their complexion will be more radiant than other heavenly beings.
Not many people volunteer to clean the temple, and not many celestial beings have this glowing complexion. If you have the energy, you should do it so the merit will be yours. Accumulate merit at every opportunity that comes your way.
January 29, 1983
| 99) One with greater merit rules
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| Those who possess greater merit have influence over those who possess less.
People with little merit can hardly take care of themselves.
They need to rely on the virtue of those who possess greater merit for support spiritually.
With little merit, they are incapable of rising to a heavenly realm on their own.
People with greater merit can help them by showing them how to do good
deeds and acquire more merits.
There are only a few people whose merit power is so great that they are able to help those who have already fallen into an unfortunate realm.
Through the power of my merit, I was able to save my deceased father from the hell realm. But before I was in the position to do so, I had to meditate and purify my mind until all of my inner transcendental bodies became crystal clear.
Achieving this state of purity, I was able to enter the lower world. I even searched for my deceased farm animals to spread merit to them.
November 22, 1981 |
One with greater merit rules
Those who possess greater merit have influence over those who possess less.
People with little merit can hardly take care of themselves.
They need to rely on the virtue of those who possess greater merit for support spiritually.
With little merit, they are incapable of rising to a heavenly realm on their own.
People with greater merit can help them by showing them how to do good
deeds and acquire more merits.
There are only a few people whose merit power is so great that they are able to help those who have already fallen into an unfortunate realm.
Through the power of my merit, I was able to save my deceased father from the hell realm. But before I was in the position to do so, I had to meditate and purify my mind until all of my inner transcendental bodies became crystal clear.
Achieving this state of purity, I was able to enter the lower world. I even searched for my deceased farm animals to spread merit to them.
November 22, 1981
| 100) Old merit, new merit
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| I have pity for both the rich and the poor. Rich people are well off because they have "old" merit from their past lives to support them. However, if they don't produce "new" merit in their present life, the old merit can be used up.
With no new merit to sustain them in subsequent lives, they will be reborn poor and will face much adversity in their future existences.
The reason poor people are the way they are is because they have not built up enough old merit. If we don't encourage them to accumulate new merit, then they will be even more unfortunate in the next life.
I feel compassion for both types of people. We must invite people we know, both rich and poor, to make merit so that they will have spiritual wealth to take with them to future existences. |
Old merit, new merit
I have pity for both the rich and the poor. Rich people are well off because they have "old" merit from their past lives to support them. However, if they don't produce "new" merit in their present life, the old merit can be used up.
With no new merit to sustain them in subsequent lives, they will be reborn poor and will face much adversity in their future existences.
The reason poor people are the way they are is because they have not built up enough old merit. If we don't encourage them to accumulate new merit, then they will be even more unfortunate in the next life.
I feel compassion for both types of people. We must invite people we know, both rich and poor, to make merit so that they will have spiritual wealth to take with them to future existences.
| 101) To help others, one must have enough merit
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| I feel sorry for people and I want to rescue them. But to be able to save others, you must have enough merit as a foundation.
That is why I work so hard to accrue merit for myself at every opportunity. |
To help others, one must have enough merit
I feel sorry for people and I want to rescue them. But to be able to save others, you must have enough merit as a foundation.
That is why I work so hard to accrue merit for myself at every opportunity.
| 102) Merit comes to you everyday
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| A person who takes part in building a temple receives great merit because he has provided a facility for others to do good deeds.
As long as the temple remains standing, and the buildings are in good repair, that person will reap merit from it every day.
May 16, 1991 |
Merit comes to you everyday
A person who takes part in building a temple receives great merit because he has provided a facility for others to do good deeds.
As long as the temple remains standing, and the buildings are in good repair, that person will reap merit from it every day.
May 16, 1991
| 103) Wishes come through
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| I made the following resolution while leading a robe-offering ceremony to monks on the occasion of the Magha Puja Day30 in which I was the ceremonial leader:
Bring your mind to the center of the body and ask that tree-sprites, air-sprites, earth-sprites, celestial beings from the six heavens, Brahmas from the sixteen Brahma Spheres and the four Higher Brahma Spheres, and beings from throughout the vast universes, to acknowledge and rejoice in the merit that I am making in offering this saffron robe.
Let everyone share in my merit. Let Luang Por Dhammajayo, Luang Por Dattajeevo, and every monk at the temple, share in my merit.
May everyone receive merit with an open heart, and the more open your heart, the more merit you will receive.
Those who fully open their heart to receive this merit will receive it in full; those whose heart is only partially open will receive it partially--like water spilling away from a container.
February 11, 1991 |
Wishes come through
I made the following resolution while leading a robe-offering ceremony to monks on the occasion of the Magha Puja Day30 in which I was the ceremonial leader:
Bring your mind to the center of the body and ask that tree-sprites, air-sprites, earth-sprites, celestial beings from the six heavens, Brahmas from the sixteen Brahma Spheres and the four Higher Brahma Spheres, and beings from throughout the vast universes, to acknowledge and rejoice in the merit that I am making in offering this saffron robe.
Let everyone share in my merit. Let Luang Por Dhammajayo, Luang Por Dattajeevo, and every monk at the temple, share in my merit.
May everyone receive merit with an open heart, and the more open your heart, the more merit you will receive.
Those who fully open their heart to receive this merit will receive it in full; those whose heart is only partially open will receive it partially--like water spilling away from a container.
February 11, 1991
| 104) Merit is never wasted
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| While inviting people to attend the Robe Offering Ceremony on Magha Puja Day of 1990, I delivered the following address:
You can take merit with you. Even if you have only a little to make an offering, do it anyways. Little by little, your merit builds up, like putting coins into a piggy bank.
If you were a billionaire, but you never made any merit, then after death you will become empty-handed. Merit is the only thing you carry with you through the lifetimes. Merit is never a waste.
As for your worldly possessions, they no longer belong to you once you leave this world. Someone else will be using them, or they will fall back into the earth.
November 13, 1989 |
Merit is never wasted
While inviting people to attend the Robe Offering Ceremony on Magha Puja Day of 1990, I delivered the following address:
You can take merit with you. Even if you have only a little to make an offering, do it anyways. Little by little, your merit builds up, like putting coins into a piggy bank.
If you were a billionaire, but you never made any merit, then after death you will become empty-handed. Merit is the only thing you carry with you through the lifetimes. Merit is never a waste.
As for your worldly possessions, they no longer belong to you once you leave this world. Someone else will be using them, or they will fall back into the earth.
November 13, 1989
| 105) Due to merit
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| I invite others to perform charitable acts because I love merit. Merit is the virtue that will free me from suffering. I need merit because I know I have to be reborn again, and merit will benefit me in the future.
People are born poor because they fail to practice charity in their past lives.
By inviting them to practice charitable acts, they will earn merit and we, too, will also benefit from their merit.
We make merit as a team. Nobody will be left out. And when we are reborn, all of us will come together again as a virtuous community.
We will be free from bad people. Surrounding ourselves with virtuous people ensures that we will not get into trouble.
November 17, 1989 |
Due to merit
I invite others to perform charitable acts because I love merit. Merit is the virtue that will free me from suffering. I need merit because I know I have to be reborn again, and merit will benefit me in the future.
People are born poor because they fail to practice charity in their past lives.
By inviting them to practice charitable acts, they will earn merit and we, too, will also benefit from their merit.
We make merit as a team. Nobody will be left out. And when we are reborn, all of us will come together again as a virtuous community.
We will be free from bad people. Surrounding ourselves with virtuous people ensures that we will not get into trouble.
November 17, 1989
| 106) Help from merit
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| A layperson asked if she ran into obstacles and was far away from me, what she should do to get help from me (through my power of virtue).
I advised her to recall the virtues from the good deeds she has done and the charitable acts she has made, and ask the merits from these acts of good deeds to help her overcome these obstacles.
Your merits can help you. If you keep company with immoral people, these people can't help you.
Merit will guide us towards kind people who will come to our assistance.
May 13, 1989 |
Help from merit
A layperson asked if she ran into obstacles and was far away from me, what she should do to get help from me (through my power of virtue).
I advised her to recall the virtues from the good deeds she has done and the charitable acts she has made, and ask the merits from these acts of good deeds to help her overcome these obstacles.
Your merits can help you. If you keep company with immoral people, these people can't help you.
Merit will guide us towards kind people who will come to our assistance.
May 13, 1989
| 107) Youth is not a factor if you have merit
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| A layperson asked me for advice on how to handle a situation where he had to supervise an office where many people working under him were older and have worked there longer than he had.
I replied that there is no need to worry. It doesn't matter if you have fewer years of seniority than they do; it only matters that you have more merit. It is merit, not age that is a factor. We are the results of our merit. If we have more merit, we become the leader. Merit is the determining factor.
September 23, 1991 |
Youth is not a factor if you have merit
A layperson asked me for advice on how to handle a situation where he had to supervise an office where many people working under him were older and have worked there longer than he had.
I replied that there is no need to worry. It doesn't matter if you have fewer years of seniority than they do; it only matters that you have more merit. It is merit, not age that is a factor. We are the results of our merit. If we have more merit, we become the leader. Merit is the determining factor.
September 23, 1991
| 108) A guest asked me to tell her why her husband had died young.
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| I replied that he died early because of his kamma. In his past life, he committed numerous acts of killing and cruelty to animals.
He had to face his karmic retribution which caused him to die young.
Someone who lives long, such as in my case, is due to abstention from killing or causing suffering to other beings in the past life.
But remember, everyone must die sooner or later. There are no exceptions to this rule.
January 20, 1991 |
A guest asked me to tell her why her husband had died young.
I replied that he died early because of his kamma. In his past life, he committed numerous acts of killing and cruelty to animals.
He had to face his karmic retribution which caused him to die young.
Someone who lives long, such as in my case, is due to abstention from killing or causing suffering to other beings in the past life.
But remember, everyone must die sooner or later. There are no exceptions to this rule.
January 20, 1991
| 109) Build up merit
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| A layperson expressed the desire to go on a meditation retreat, but was concerned about her grown son being left alone.
When a man and a woman are in love, the world becomes a colorful place filled with sweet beauty. But once a first child is born, everyday is a quarrel!
If you don't want a heavy burden, then don't have any children. But if you have them, then you must accept full responsibility.
You can't desert them.
As for me, I have no one with which to concern myself with, except my merit.
In each of us, we carry merit and demerit, and we must do all we can to increase the merit.
I'm a fighter. I never back down from problems until I find the solution.
But when you are asked to help someone, first take a good look at yourself and determine if you are really capable of helping this person.
If his problems are beyond your abilities to solve, then accept that and practice equanimity.
You cannot help someone who will not listen; it is up to his own kamma.
As for ourselves, we have to make the best with what is given to us.
February 9, 1991 |
Build up merit
A layperson expressed the desire to go on a meditation retreat, but was concerned about her grown son being left alone.
When a man and a woman are in love, the world becomes a colorful place filled with sweet beauty. But once a first child is born, everyday is a quarrel!
If you don't want a heavy burden, then don't have any children. But if you have them, then you must accept full responsibility.
You can't desert them.
As for me, I have no one with which to concern myself with, except my merit.
In each of us, we carry merit and demerit, and we must do all we can to increase the merit.
I'm a fighter. I never back down from problems until I find the solution.
But when you are asked to help someone, first take a good look at yourself and determine if you are really capable of helping this person.
If his problems are beyond your abilities to solve, then accept that and practice equanimity.
You cannot help someone who will not listen; it is up to his own kamma.
As for ourselves, we have to make the best with what is given to us.
February 9, 1991
| 110) Merit and demerit are the only things we can take with us
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| Addressing the former governor of Sri Saket Province, Thailand, when he visited the temple:
When you enter the temple, even a dignitary should leave his rank and title outside because these are earthly mantles.
They are not things you can take with you when you die.
They are merely masks, and once removed, you are no different from anyone else.
Nothing in life is significant except merit and demerit. They are the only things which matter.
November 13, 1989 |
Merit and demerit are the only things we can take with us
Addressing the former governor of Sri Saket Province, Thailand, when he visited the temple:
When you enter the temple, even a dignitary should leave his rank and title outside because these are earthly mantles.
They are not things you can take with you when you die.
They are merely masks, and once removed, you are no different from anyone else.
Nothing in life is significant except merit and demerit. They are the only things which matter.
November 13, 1989
| 111) Pursuing Perfections until you prevail
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| Addressing a group of Upasaka (male temple attendants) getting ready to be ordained:
When you have decided to enter the temple in order to pursue Perfections to
the fullest, you must never waver from this goal. I wish all of you will prevail.
Whether you will or not, depends on you.
What you need to take precautions from is the opposite sex. This is very
important. Do not give way to sympathy. Let wisdom and equanimity be your
guide. Giving way to sympathy can lead to your defeat.
I have seen many examples of this, so I caution you to watch out for your
inclinations. don't allow a situation that may lead to intimacy. Once intimacy
happens it is difficult to undo.
The best thing to do is to not allow any chance
for intimacy. If you close the bridge, then the person cannot encroach.
This is the biggest weakness that plagues virtue seekers. It is an obstacle
that inhibits the path to Perfections. For such little gain, one can lose so
much. This is one of the major reasons that cause virtue seekers to get
sidetracked from their path to Perfections. It is better to prevent it now rather
than having to cure it later.
Not getting involved with love affairs is the best policy. This will allow you
to succeed in your pursuit of Perfections smoothly. You will possess great
virtue and purity, having clear-seeing ability for knowledge, and be able to
overcome everything.
January 5, 1975 |
Pursuing Perfections until you prevail
Addressing a group of Upasaka (male temple attendants) getting ready to be ordained:
When you have decided to enter the temple in order to pursue Perfections to
the fullest, you must never waver from this goal. I wish all of you will prevail.
Whether you will or not, depends on you.
What you need to take precautions from is the opposite sex. This is very
important. Do not give way to sympathy. Let wisdom and equanimity be your
guide. Giving way to sympathy can lead to your defeat.
I have seen many examples of this, so I caution you to watch out for your
inclinations. don't allow a situation that may lead to intimacy. Once intimacy
happens it is difficult to undo.
The best thing to do is to not allow any chance
for intimacy. If you close the bridge, then the person cannot encroach.
This is the biggest weakness that plagues virtue seekers. It is an obstacle
that inhibits the path to Perfections. For such little gain, one can lose so
much. This is one of the major reasons that cause virtue seekers to get
sidetracked from their path to Perfections. It is better to prevent it now rather
than having to cure it later.
Not getting involved with love affairs is the best policy. This will allow you
to succeed in your pursuit of Perfections smoothly. You will possess great
virtue and purity, having clear-seeing ability for knowledge, and be able to
overcome everything.
January 5, 1975
| 112) An easy life
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| Why do people want to be married? Living on your own is an easy life,
full of freedom. Flying like a little bird, you can go anywhere you want.
November 6, 1981 |
An easy life
Why do people want to be married? Living on your own is an easy life,
full of freedom. Flying like a little bird, you can go anywhere you want.
November 6, 1981
| 113) The purer you are themore merit you gain
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| In order for one to attain the crystal clear vision of the enlightened mind, one
must practice chastity and be pure in body, speech, and mind.
The mind must not be clouded with worries, sadness, or any other turbulent
emotions. don't be concerned about anyone or anything. Think only of merit
and how to salvage yourself. You have no need for pampering.
Rely only on merit. Keep on purifying the mind and performing good deeds,
and no merit will pass you by. In this way, the merit you gain will be utterly
pure and free of defilements. |
The purer you are themore merit you gain
In order for one to attain the crystal clear vision of the enlightened mind, one
must practice chastity and be pure in body, speech, and mind.
The mind must not be clouded with worries, sadness, or any other turbulent
emotions. don't be concerned about anyone or anything. Think only of merit
and how to salvage yourself. You have no need for pampering.
Rely only on merit. Keep on purifying the mind and performing good deeds,
and no merit will pass you by. In this way, the merit you gain will be utterly
pure and free of defilements.
| 114) Elevate your mind
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| Elevate your mind and you will see that sensual desires will cause suffering
and may even vulgarize you. When you are fully occupied with the worldly
life, it?s difficult to recognize this. Make the resolution to release all sensual
desires so that you become ever more purified.
I have looked into my past lives, into the mundane and into the sublime, and
I see that I have been this way for a long time. Throughout my childhood
in this lifetime, I never had those kinds of thoughts in my mind, and I never
desired to fall in love with anyone. I had some suitors, but I brushed them
off. Then I entered the temple. I saw that I had been pure in this way, and I
made the resolution that I wanted to remain this way for all my future lifetimes
as well.
Make a resolution every day to elevate your mind above sensual desires.
Resolve also for other worthy things. The more centered your mind is the
more effective your resolutions will become. The more resolutions you make
the more merit you gain, and the more of your wishes will come true.
December 3, 1980 |
Elevate your mind
Elevate your mind and you will see that sensual desires will cause suffering
and may even vulgarize you. When you are fully occupied with the worldly
life, it?s difficult to recognize this. Make the resolution to release all sensual
desires so that you become ever more purified.
I have looked into my past lives, into the mundane and into the sublime, and
I see that I have been this way for a long time. Throughout my childhood
in this lifetime, I never had those kinds of thoughts in my mind, and I never
desired to fall in love with anyone. I had some suitors, but I brushed them
off. Then I entered the temple. I saw that I had been pure in this way, and I
made the resolution that I wanted to remain this way for all my future lifetimes
as well.
Make a resolution every day to elevate your mind above sensual desires.
Resolve also for other worthy things. The more centered your mind is the
more effective your resolutions will become. The more resolutions you make
the more merit you gain, and the more of your wishes will come true.
December 3, 1980
| 115) Beauty that is not
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| In all my years, I have yet to see a truly beautiful woman. For all their efforts to beautify themselves from head to toe, to my eyes I see no beauty in them at all.
What I see is harm and suffering. It is quite unfortunate for them to be attached to vanity.
Obsession with beauty can make you fall from your Path. So I make resolutions constantly to be free from sensuality.
November 5, 1979 |
Beauty that is not
In all my years, I have yet to see a truly beautiful woman. For all their efforts to beautify themselves from head to toe, to my eyes I see no beauty in them at all.
What I see is harm and suffering. It is quite unfortunate for them to be attached to vanity.
Obsession with beauty can make you fall from your Path. So I make resolutions constantly to be free from sensuality.
November 5, 1979
| 116) Obviously no good
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| It is obvious to me that if we allow ourselves to become attached to sensual
desires we have allowed ourselves to be enslaved by Mara. Then we have
subjected ourselves to undue punishments. I won?t allow that to happen to
me. If we give up along the way, we might as well have given up from the
very beginning.
Those consumed with sensual desires will not succeed in their pursuit of
Perfections.
June 24, 1980 |
Obviously no good
It is obvious to me that if we allow ourselves to become attached to sensual
desires we have allowed ourselves to be enslaved by Mara. Then we have
subjected ourselves to undue punishments. I won?t allow that to happen to
me. If we give up along the way, we might as well have given up from the
very beginning.
Those consumed with sensual desires will not succeed in their pursuit of
Perfections.
June 24, 1980
| 117) No nonsense spoken
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| Nonsensical subjects such as matters dealing with sensual desires will never pass my lips.
I would be embarrassed to talk about them. When I was young, I was even more embarrassed, but now as an old woman, I feel more
liberty to talk about it.
June 24, 1980 |
No nonsense spoken
Nonsensical subjects such as matters dealing with sensual desires will never pass my lips.
I would be embarrassed to talk about them. When I was young, I was even more embarrassed, but now as an old woman, I feel more
liberty to talk about it.
June 24, 1980
| 118) Effective way to make resolutions
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| Luang Por Wat Paknam taught me that the most effective way to make
fruitful resolutions was to make them while monks were bestowing their
blessings. When they begin a blessing chant, from the first word, ?Yadha?,?
focus your mind to the center of the body and visualize a clear Buddha
image. Then begin making your resolutions.
Luang Por explained that this will make our resolutions become a part of
their blessings, which will be heard all the way to Nibbana. So make your
resolutions with care. Each time you do it, it will get easier and easier until it
becomes second nature to you.
January 26, 1975 |
Effective way to make resolutions
Luang Por Wat Paknam taught me that the most effective way to make
fruitful resolutions was to make them while monks were bestowing their
blessings. When they begin a blessing chant, from the first word, ?Yadha?,?
focus your mind to the center of the body and visualize a clear Buddha
image. Then begin making your resolutions.
Luang Por explained that this will make our resolutions become a part of
their blessings, which will be heard all the way to Nibbana. So make your
resolutions with care. Each time you do it, it will get easier and easier until it
becomes second nature to you.
January 26, 1975
| 119) Reject slovenliness
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| We know that the most important aspect of life is the practice of meditation.
But that doesn't mean we can neglect our other duties.
Cleanliness is important, and whoever makes a mess should take care of it.
I will scold anyone who neglects their responsibility for tidiness.
I make the resolution that actions which bring discomfort to others or to me will never be a part of me, mentally, verbally or physically.
October 1, 1976 |
Reject slovenliness
We know that the most important aspect of life is the practice of meditation.
But that doesn't mean we can neglect our other duties.
Cleanliness is important, and whoever makes a mess should take care of it.
I will scold anyone who neglects their responsibility for tidiness.
I make the resolution that actions which bring discomfort to others or to me will never be a part of me, mentally, verbally or physically.
October 1, 1976
| 120) Make all-encompassing resolutions
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| I always teach that this is our last life; make wise resolutions that will encompass everything that is good.
Resolve to have a healthy body free of illness, complete with the thirty-two faculties; to be born a human being of a male gender who is pure; not to be attracted to the opposite sex, and not to find pleasure in the sight, sound, taste, touch, scent, and sentiment of the opposite sex.
Before we die, may we achieve self-awareness; build up great merit and Perfections in every lifetime; meet only virtuous people, and be receptive and amenable to good advice.
When planting a tree, make a resolution for this tree to flourish and produce a pleasant shade; anyone who sits beneath it to see enlightened wisdoms; to be protected by the divine; and to be a resting place for birds.
At bed time, make a resolution to take sanctuary within our inner Buddha; may the Buddha give us protection and free us from danger.
July 17, 1977 |
Make all-encompassing resolutions
I always teach that this is our last life; make wise resolutions that will encompass everything that is good.
Resolve to have a healthy body free of illness, complete with the thirty-two faculties; to be born a human being of a male gender who is pure; not to be attracted to the opposite sex, and not to find pleasure in the sight, sound, taste, touch, scent, and sentiment of the opposite sex.
Before we die, may we achieve self-awareness; build up great merit and Perfections in every lifetime; meet only virtuous people, and be receptive and amenable to good advice.
When planting a tree, make a resolution for this tree to flourish and produce a pleasant shade; anyone who sits beneath it to see enlightened wisdoms; to be protected by the divine; and to be a resting place for birds.
At bed time, make a resolution to take sanctuary within our inner Buddha; may the Buddha give us protection and free us from danger.
July 17, 1977
| 121) Khun Yai?s resolutions
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| When I was sweeping and trimming the grass at Luang Por (Dhammajayo?s)
residence, I made the following resolution:
Wherever I walk, may I have a safe path before me. May my home be clean
and well-tended by capable hands.
March 25, 1980 |
Khun Yai?s resolutions
When I was sweeping and trimming the grass at Luang Por (Dhammajayo?s)
residence, I made the following resolution:
Wherever I walk, may I have a safe path before me. May my home be clean
and well-tended by capable hands.
March 25, 1980
| 122) Teaching with truthfulness
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| Nowadays, I see so many people setting themselves up to be meditation
masters. This saddens me because I am not sure what they can actually
teach. When we teach about stopping the mind, they contend why we need
to do that. I would say to them, ?If we don?t stop the mind from wandering,
how else could we attain the enlightening state??
I made the resolution that in my future rebirths, if ever I become a teacher, let
me teach truthfully in speech, in body, and in mind. From the very moment of
birth, let me be well versed in the Five Precepts, the Eight Precepts, the Ten
Precepts, the Two Hundred Twenty-Seven Precepts, and the knowledge of
the entire 84,000 Articles of the Buddhist Doctrine.
Now that I am old, I want to see more peace and harmony around me.
Please practice meditation as often as you can so you can help build the
Buddhajak Center to become a truly sacred place of merit.
March 1, 1981 |
Teaching with truthfulness
Nowadays, I see so many people setting themselves up to be meditation
masters. This saddens me because I am not sure what they can actually
teach. When we teach about stopping the mind, they contend why we need
to do that. I would say to them, ?If we don?t stop the mind from wandering,
how else could we attain the enlightening state??
I made the resolution that in my future rebirths, if ever I become a teacher, let
me teach truthfully in speech, in body, and in mind. From the very moment of
birth, let me be well versed in the Five Precepts, the Eight Precepts, the Ten
Precepts, the Two Hundred Twenty-Seven Precepts, and the knowledge of
the entire 84,000 Articles of the Buddhist Doctrine.
Now that I am old, I want to see more peace and harmony around me.
Please practice meditation as often as you can so you can help build the
Buddhajak Center to become a truly sacred place of merit.
March 1, 1981
| 123) Virtue of resolutions
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| As we make merit, we must also make resolutions. Make a resolution for us to be in the company of Buddhist monks in every lifetime and to not commit any bad actions.
Making resolutions is part of the Ten Perfections. The Ten Perfections consist of Generosity, Morality, Renunciation, Wisdom, Patience,
Perseverance, Truthfulness, Resolution, Loving-kindness, and Equanimity.
Each time we make a resolution we gain merit. I already made a "profit" spiritually for being born in this life. |
Virtue of resolutions
As we make merit, we must also make resolutions. Make a resolution for us to be in the company of Buddhist monks in every lifetime and to not commit any bad actions.
Making resolutions is part of the Ten Perfections. The Ten Perfections consist of Generosity, Morality, Renunciation, Wisdom, Patience,
Perseverance, Truthfulness, Resolution, Loving-kindness, and Equanimity.
Each time we make a resolution we gain merit. I already made a "profit" spiritually for being born in this life.
| 124) grab the flag of victory
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| We are extremely fortunate to be born a human being. We are born to pursue virtue, to build spiritual benefits.So take this opportunity to accumulate only good things for yourselves, and cast away all evil things.
In this way, we can build up spiritual assets to take care of our future existences, to enable us to move forward towards higher states, and to never fall into hardships.
I have observed the Five Precepts since I was 26 years old and continue to do so until now, at age 71. Prior to that time, I practiced every precept except one (killing), because I had a weakness of swatting mosquitoes.
At age 26, I was able to teach myself that mosquitoes were much smaller than me and yet I took advantage of them by killing them.
I had been killing mosquitoes for 26 years but I have not reduced its population at all.
Having this realization, I decided to adopt the Five Precepts in full from then on.
By age 28, I was able to adhere to the Eight Precepts in full to this day. I have already profited in this lifetime, and I have only good things to take with me. My life will continue to be better. I will not fall behind. I have already grabbed the flag of victory.
I will only carry with me all that is good. So make the following resolutions: "Let the word "dissolute" and "failure" never fall upon me. Let me find only virtuosity and success in every lifetime until I reach Nibbana."
November 12, 1979 |
grab the flag of victory
We are extremely fortunate to be born a human being. We are born to pursue virtue, to build spiritual benefits.So take this opportunity to accumulate only good things for yourselves, and cast away all evil things.
In this way, we can build up spiritual assets to take care of our future existences, to enable us to move forward towards higher states, and to never fall into hardships.
I have observed the Five Precepts since I was 26 years old and continue to do so until now, at age 71. Prior to that time, I practiced every precept except one (killing), because I had a weakness of swatting mosquitoes.
At age 26, I was able to teach myself that mosquitoes were much smaller than me and yet I took advantage of them by killing them.
I had been killing mosquitoes for 26 years but I have not reduced its population at all.
Having this realization, I decided to adopt the Five Precepts in full from then on.
By age 28, I was able to adhere to the Eight Precepts in full to this day. I have already profited in this lifetime, and I have only good things to take with me. My life will continue to be better. I will not fall behind. I have already grabbed the flag of victory.
I will only carry with me all that is good. So make the following resolutions: "Let the word "dissolute" and "failure" never fall upon me. Let me find only virtuosity and success in every lifetime until I reach Nibbana."
November 12, 1979
| 125) Perfect and complete
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| In the news these days, I see so many killings. Killing begets more killing. The killers and the killed are bound by endless cycles of vengeance from one existence to the next. You kill him then he kills you, taking turn in the never ending wheel of kamma.
I see the harm of killing in this way: if we kill them, we commit a negative kamma which cuts down our own virtue; if they kill us, they take away our chance to perform virtues and build merit.
I make the resolution to never kill anyone so that I will never be killed in any lifetime until I ultimately reach Nibbana.
If someone wishes to harm me, let the thought of harming me quickly disappear from him.
December 3, 1980 |
Perfect and complete
In the news these days, I see so many killings. Killing begets more killing. The killers and the killed are bound by endless cycles of vengeance from one existence to the next. You kill him then he kills you, taking turn in the never ending wheel of kamma.
I see the harm of killing in this way: if we kill them, we commit a negative kamma which cuts down our own virtue; if they kill us, they take away our chance to perform virtues and build merit.
I make the resolution to never kill anyone so that I will never be killed in any lifetime until I ultimately reach Nibbana.
If someone wishes to harm me, let the thought of harming me quickly disappear from him.
December 3, 1980
| 126) The harm of killing
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| In the news these days, I see so many killings. Killing begets more killing.
The killers and the killed are bound by endless cycles of vengeance from one existence to the next.
You kill him then he kills you, taking turn in the never ending wheel of kamma.
I see the harm of killing in this way: if we kill them, we commit a negative kamma which cuts down our own virtue; if they kill us, they take away our chance to perform virtues and build merit.
I make the resolution to never kill anyone so that I will never be killed in any lifetime until I ultimately reach Nibbana.
If someone wishes to harm me, let the thought of harming me quickly disappear from him.
December 3, 1980 |
The harm of killing
In the news these days, I see so many killings. Killing begets more killing.
The killers and the killed are bound by endless cycles of vengeance from one existence to the next.
You kill him then he kills you, taking turn in the never ending wheel of kamma.
I see the harm of killing in this way: if we kill them, we commit a negative kamma which cuts down our own virtue; if they kill us, they take away our chance to perform virtues and build merit.
I make the resolution to never kill anyone so that I will never be killed in any lifetime until I ultimately reach Nibbana.
If someone wishes to harm me, let the thought of harming me quickly disappear from him.
December 3, 1980
| 127) Conquer mara with goodness
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| Throughout my life I have done nothing but good deeds. I will keep doing so to further the purity of my body, speech and mind. This goodness will help me overcome the influence of Mara.
I always make the following resolutions:
Do not let Mara conceal the truth from me and prevent me from having the super-knowledge and insight.
Let me know everything according to the truths.
Let me be free from Mara's influence which causes me to do wrongful deeds.
Let me never know the word "defeat", and to not ever be defeated by Mara in all of my lifetimes.
Let me be victorious over Mara in every lifetime until I attain Nibbana.
After making resolutions, I looked at the purity of my body, speech and mind, and I looked at my inner merit sphere and my inner Dhamma sphere, and I saw all of them to be utterly bright and luminous. This made me happy.
I looked at all the "programs" (past actions) that I have created for myself in the past and I saw no badness, only goodness and purity throughout.
When I saw how I built virtues in the past, I knew I will no doubt grab the flag of victory.
All I have to do is to stay on course and maintain this path of goodness for this lifetime.
In my subsequent lifetimes, everything will be complete and perfect.
I will not run into anything that is bad because I have made resolutions to encompass everything that is good, fully and firmly.
I will surely prevail. I will certainly defeat Mara because I have accumulated
so much virtue.
March 24, 1980 |
Conquer mara with goodness
Throughout my life I have done nothing but good deeds. I will keep doing so to further the purity of my body, speech and mind. This goodness will help me overcome the influence of Mara.
I always make the following resolutions:
Do not let Mara conceal the truth from me and prevent me from having the super-knowledge and insight.
Let me know everything according to the truths.
Let me be free from Mara's influence which causes me to do wrongful deeds.
Let me never know the word "defeat", and to not ever be defeated by Mara in all of my lifetimes.
Let me be victorious over Mara in every lifetime until I attain Nibbana.
After making resolutions, I looked at the purity of my body, speech and mind, and I looked at my inner merit sphere and my inner Dhamma sphere, and I saw all of them to be utterly bright and luminous. This made me happy.
I looked at all the "programs" (past actions) that I have created for myself in the past and I saw no badness, only goodness and purity throughout.
When I saw how I built virtues in the past, I knew I will no doubt grab the flag of victory.
All I have to do is to stay on course and maintain this path of goodness for this lifetime.
In my subsequent lifetimes, everything will be complete and perfect.
I will not run into anything that is bad because I have made resolutions to encompass everything that is good, fully and firmly.
I will surely prevail. I will certainly defeat Mara because I have accumulated
so much virtue.
March 24, 1980
| 128) Make resolutions even when making small merits
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| Even when you make small merits, make resolutions to never run into fools (immoral people), but to surround yourself with only the virtuous. |
Make resolutions even when making small merits
Even when you make small merits, make resolutions to never run into fools (immoral people), but to surround yourself with only the virtuous.
| 129) To see crystal clear Dhamma
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| Every time you make merit, I encourage you to make the following resolutions:
Into every era that I am born, may I be spared the company of ?fools? and be
free from karmic retributions; may I see crystal clear Dhamma and have an
enlightened mind in every lifetime; may I possess unlimited wealth, enabling
me to make abundant merit; may I have my own land; may I be in a position
to build a temple; may I have opportunities to take part in Kathina and robe
offering ceremonies; may I be born with good health and a strong body that
is free of illness to live a long life, and to leave this world happy at the time
of death. |
To see crystal clear Dhamma
Every time you make merit, I encourage you to make the following resolutions:
Into every era that I am born, may I be spared the company of ?fools? and be
free from karmic retributions; may I see crystal clear Dhamma and have an
enlightened mind in every lifetime; may I possess unlimited wealth, enabling
me to make abundant merit; may I have my own land; may I be in a position
to build a temple; may I have opportunities to take part in Kathina and robe
offering ceremonies; may I be born with good health and a strong body that
is free of illness to live a long life, and to leave this world happy at the time
of death.
| 130) Pure in body, speech, and mind
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| May I be one with the purity of body, speech, and mind.
May I have plenty of merit.
May I have the merit that enables me to teach myself, teaching myself to perform only good deeds.
May I attain the abilities to recall my past lives and the past lives of others so I can learn from past mistakes and be able to teach myself and others correctly.
May I practice celibacy in every life, never returning to a life of marriage.
May I not be attracted to the sight, sound, smell, taste, touch and temperament of the opposite sex.
May I be content with a life of celibacy throughout all lifetimes until I defeat Mara.
May I be born complete with the thirty-two faculties, free from disease and illnesses, having a body that is healthy and strong throughout the duration of my quest for Perfections.
April 4, 1979 |
Pure in body, speech, and mind
May I be one with the purity of body, speech, and mind.
May I have plenty of merit.
May I have the merit that enables me to teach myself, teaching myself to perform only good deeds.
May I attain the abilities to recall my past lives and the past lives of others so I can learn from past mistakes and be able to teach myself and others correctly.
May I practice celibacy in every life, never returning to a life of marriage.
May I not be attracted to the sight, sound, smell, taste, touch and temperament of the opposite sex.
May I be content with a life of celibacy throughout all lifetimes until I defeat Mara.
May I be born complete with the thirty-two faculties, free from disease and illnesses, having a body that is healthy and strong throughout the duration of my quest for Perfections.
April 4, 1979
| 131) Having capable personnel
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| May I be surrounded with good and capable personnel.
Even if they are few, may they all be ones who are wise, virtuous and capable, able to complete tasks with excellence.
And may I have the ability to fully provide for them so that they can live with comfort.
June 24, 1980 |
Having capable personnel
May I be surrounded with good and capable personnel.
Even if they are few, may they all be ones who are wise, virtuous and capable, able to complete tasks with excellence.
And may I have the ability to fully provide for them so that they can live with comfort.
June 24, 1980
| 132) Accumulate merit until you triumph
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| In merit-making, we have to do it continuously until we reach our final
destination. If not, we may stumble into difficulties from time to time.
We should make resolutions that we shall never fall into hard times. When I
saw people who suffered from hardships, I knew they failed to perform their
merits continuously in the past. When merit fails to bear fruit continuously, a
person?s conditions decline.
So resolve to never encounter hardships.
November 20, 1982 |
Accumulate merit until you triumph
In merit-making, we have to do it continuously until we reach our final
destination. If not, we may stumble into difficulties from time to time.
We should make resolutions that we shall never fall into hard times. When I
saw people who suffered from hardships, I knew they failed to perform their
merits continuously in the past. When merit fails to bear fruit continuously, a
person?s conditions decline.
So resolve to never encounter hardships.
November 20, 1982
| 133) Those who follow me
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| I always make this resolution:
May those who follow me be ones endowed with purity in body, speech and mind, not ones who seek recognition and fame; may they be ones who seek solitude; be content, honest and truthful; and be ones who practice meditation a great deal. |
Those who follow me
I always make this resolution:
May those who follow me be ones endowed with purity in body, speech and mind, not ones who seek recognition and fame; may they be ones who seek solitude; be content, honest and truthful; and be ones who practice meditation a great deal.
| 134) A place with fresh air
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| Nowadays I see that people live in high rises and other congested places.
It seems like a prison with so little freedom.
It leads me to make this resolution: May I live in a place with fresh air; clean, open, and with good ambience, without the need for air conditioners or fans.
December 3, 1980 |
A place with fresh air
Nowadays I see that people live in high rises and other congested places.
It seems like a prison with so little freedom.
It leads me to make this resolution: May I live in a place with fresh air; clean, open, and with good ambience, without the need for air conditioners or fans.
December 3, 1980
| 135) Keeping nibbana in mind
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| Making resolutions is important. As we sit in the meditation hall, we should
follow Luang Por?s resolutions and make some of our own.
Whatever you resolve for yourself, be sure to think of Nibbana. When the
mind turns toward Nibbana, it will remind us to perform only good deeds and
avoid deeds which bring about ruin. If we think about Nibbana every day,
then the mind becomes more uplifted day by day, and we will be on the right
path. Therefore, make your resolutions to keep Nibbana always in your heart.
March 4, 1980 |
Keeping nibbana in mind
Making resolutions is important. As we sit in the meditation hall, we should
follow Luang Por?s resolutions and make some of our own.
Whatever you resolve for yourself, be sure to think of Nibbana. When the
mind turns toward Nibbana, it will remind us to perform only good deeds and
avoid deeds which bring about ruin. If we think about Nibbana every day,
then the mind becomes more uplifted day by day, and we will be on the right
path. Therefore, make your resolutions to keep Nibbana always in your heart.
March 4, 1980
| 136) Endure
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| Have fortitude and tolerance. Do not create any more bad kamma for yourself, or you will keep running into hardships. |
Endure
Have fortitude and tolerance. Do not create any more bad kamma for yourself, or you will keep running into hardships.
| 137) Improve
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| We have sacrificed many things in order to pursue Perfections and to perform good deeds.
So keep your tolerance, and be patient with the naysayers. Always strive to improve yourself.
Examine yourself and make improvements where you see flaws.
The self improvements you make in this lifetime will benefit you in your future lifetimes.
If you cannot correct your shortcomings in this lifetime, you will have to keep correcting them again in future lifetimes.
Putting improvements off to the next life is not the right attitude. Change for the better now.
September 20, 1982 |
Improve
We have sacrificed many things in order to pursue Perfections and to perform good deeds.
So keep your tolerance, and be patient with the naysayers. Always strive to improve yourself.
Examine yourself and make improvements where you see flaws.
The self improvements you make in this lifetime will benefit you in your future lifetimes.
If you cannot correct your shortcomings in this lifetime, you will have to keep correcting them again in future lifetimes.
Putting improvements off to the next life is not the right attitude. Change for the better now.
September 20, 1982
| 138) Having a strong will
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| Whatever you do, do it with a strong will. Look at me for example. I have no
education and hold no degree, but I am strong-willed, and I managed to establish
this temple. I pursued my goal with determination and perseverance.
Then I see others, some with a bachelor?s degree, master?s degree, or even
doctorates, who could not accomplish what they set out to do. I can tell that
they lack determination and perseverance. They are the type who give up
too easily when they run into the smallest of obstacles.
As uneducated as I am, what I have is a strong will, and this strong will leads
me to success. As I look into the future, I see that if we lack the will in this life,
we will never achieve success in future lives. So whatever you do in this life,
make sure you do it earnestly.
June 6, 1983 |
Having a strong will
Whatever you do, do it with a strong will. Look at me for example. I have no
education and hold no degree, but I am strong-willed, and I managed to establish
this temple. I pursued my goal with determination and perseverance.
Then I see others, some with a bachelor?s degree, master?s degree, or even
doctorates, who could not accomplish what they set out to do. I can tell that
they lack determination and perseverance. They are the type who give up
too easily when they run into the smallest of obstacles.
As uneducated as I am, what I have is a strong will, and this strong will leads
me to success. As I look into the future, I see that if we lack the will in this life,
we will never achieve success in future lives. So whatever you do in this life,
make sure you do it earnestly.
June 6, 1983
| 139) The speed of the captain is the speed of the crew
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| Whatever you do, do it seriously without any laxity.
A leader who does things nonchalantly will have subordinates who are also nonchalant.
If a leader has a non-caring attitude towards his possessions, his subordinates will be no different.
The attitude of the leader is the attitude of the followers. Like attracts like.
Work attentively and competently, and you will have followers who are the same way. |
The speed of the captain is the speed of the crew
Whatever you do, do it seriously without any laxity.
A leader who does things nonchalantly will have subordinates who are also nonchalant.
If a leader has a non-caring attitude towards his possessions, his subordinates will be no different.
The attitude of the leader is the attitude of the followers. Like attracts like.
Work attentively and competently, and you will have followers who are the same way.
| 140) Born to fight
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| We are born to fight. Fight with kindness. Whether we fight or not, we will all die one way or another, so we might as well fight.
Fight until you are too ill to do so. In my efforts to build this temple, I worked night and day to finish my goal.
I worked so hard until my body became malnourished. As long as there is strength in us, we must press forward.
Take action. Cast away laziness. Rest only when you have no more strength.
October 1, 1979 |
Born to fight
We are born to fight. Fight with kindness. Whether we fight or not, we will all die one way or another, so we might as well fight.
Fight until you are too ill to do so. In my efforts to build this temple, I worked night and day to finish my goal.
I worked so hard until my body became malnourished. As long as there is strength in us, we must press forward.
Take action. Cast away laziness. Rest only when you have no more strength.
October 1, 1979
| 141) Fight till the end
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| Whether I achieve victory or not, I will fight until the very end. I will never give up. I don't care if others give in or run away. I will continue the course. I will keep practicing and improving upon my Dhammakaya meditation.
November 5, 1979 |
Fight till the end
Whether I achieve victory or not, I will fight until the very end. I will never give up. I don't care if others give in or run away. I will continue the course. I will keep practicing and improving upon my Dhammakaya meditation.
November 5, 1979
| 142) Never be discouraged
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| Never be disheartened. Do what you have to do now to complete your tasks.
don't wait until you are too old to do it.
I am a diligent person. I do every little thing at the temple and I rest very little.
Some of you do only a little and rest too much.
April 19, 1992 |
Never be discouraged
Never be disheartened. Do what you have to do now to complete your tasks.
don't wait until you are too old to do it.
I am a diligent person. I do every little thing at the temple and I rest very little.
Some of you do only a little and rest too much.
April 19, 1992
| 143) Never give in
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| I never give in to obstacles. I always strive ahead with determination. I will try every which way to accomplish my goals.
One day I fell ill and could not even move my legs, but my will was strong. I was not willing to give in. I tried to move my legs but they seemed to have been paralyzed and were not responding at all.
I wiggled my toes little by little, until I was finally able to move my legs and walk again.
September 15, 1980 |
Never give in
I never give in to obstacles. I always strive ahead with determination. I will try every which way to accomplish my goals.
One day I fell ill and could not even move my legs, but my will was strong. I was not willing to give in. I tried to move my legs but they seemed to have been paralyzed and were not responding at all.
I wiggled my toes little by little, until I was finally able to move my legs and walk again.
September 15, 1980
| 144) Whatever you do, do it seriously
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| Since I arrived at the temple, many people looked down at me and mistreated
me, but I did not allow myself to be affected by them. Instead, I focused my
attention on meditation and on finding the right answers for Luang Por (Wat
Paknam).
I reached a high level of success because whatever I did, I did it with
seriousness and intensity. I considered it a waste of time to engage in
jealousy and competition. Those who deem themselves superior are often
engaged in petty competition and struggles. As for me, I don?t waste my
time with petty politics. I?d rather spend it on meditation.
September 17, 1980 |
Whatever you do, do it seriously
Since I arrived at the temple, many people looked down at me and mistreated
me, but I did not allow myself to be affected by them. Instead, I focused my
attention on meditation and on finding the right answers for Luang Por (Wat
Paknam).
I reached a high level of success because whatever I did, I did it with
seriousness and intensity. I considered it a waste of time to engage in
jealousy and competition. Those who deem themselves superior are often
engaged in petty competition and struggles. As for me, I don?t waste my
time with petty politics. I?d rather spend it on meditation.
September 17, 1980
| 145) Not responding in kind
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| When I find myself in a stressful situation, I keep my mind in Dhamma. The
more I stay with Dhamma, the more radiant my mind becomes and the more
subtle knowledge I gain.
I feel no anger towards those who are angry with me. Instead I look beyond
the surface to find the causes that bring about these negative behaviors.
People scorned me even before I entered the temple. After I was ordained
and admitted in the super advanced meditation group, I received all sorts
of mistreatments from others. I was labeled a low class person, a servant,
an uneducated person, one who was infected with tuberculosis, etc. I was
given the worst quarters to stay in. When food was served, it was ?dumped?
onto my plate with disdain.
To this day, I have been tormented by Mara every step of the way. But this is
the final lifetime that Mara can harass me. I know its bag of tricks and I know
how to defeat it now. |
Not responding in kind
When I find myself in a stressful situation, I keep my mind in Dhamma. The
more I stay with Dhamma, the more radiant my mind becomes and the more
subtle knowledge I gain.
I feel no anger towards those who are angry with me. Instead I look beyond
the surface to find the causes that bring about these negative behaviors.
People scorned me even before I entered the temple. After I was ordained
and admitted in the super advanced meditation group, I received all sorts
of mistreatments from others. I was labeled a low class person, a servant,
an uneducated person, one who was infected with tuberculosis, etc. I was
given the worst quarters to stay in. When food was served, it was ?dumped?
onto my plate with disdain.
To this day, I have been tormented by Mara every step of the way. But this is
the final lifetime that Mara can harass me. I know its bag of tricks and I know
how to defeat it now.
| 146) Triumph through merit
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| On the outside it may appear that I have surrendered to my foes.
But on the inside my conviction remains as strong and unwavering as ever.
Instead of using words, I fight with Dhamma.
I may appear to be defeated on the outside, but on the inside I have advanced deeply into my meditative attainment.
I will eventually be victorious due to my own merit power.
May 5, 1980 |
Triumph through merit
On the outside it may appear that I have surrendered to my foes.
But on the inside my conviction remains as strong and unwavering as ever.
Instead of using words, I fight with Dhamma.
I may appear to be defeated on the outside, but on the inside I have advanced deeply into my meditative attainment.
I will eventually be victorious due to my own merit power.
May 5, 1980
| 147) Final lifetime
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| I reflected on my situation and I perceived that, in one of my past lifetimes,
I must have committed certain unwholesome acts that resulted in negative
retributions for me. That was why I had to endure so many obstacles in this life.
Now that I know this is my final lifetime, I devote my life to the practice of
good deeds with all my heart. I realize that time goes by quickly; to free
myself from the grip of Mara, I can no longer wait nor waste any more time.
With whatever time I still have left, I need to perform as many good deeds
as I can.
When we realize that we have made a mistake and have committed
something wrongful, we should give ourselves a chance to start over. Learn
from mistakes and stop being reckless. Proceed to do more good deeds.
Everyone makes mistakes. This is natural. ?Even with four legs an animal
stumbles; even with a bright mind a wise man falls,? so goes the saying.
Mistakes can be made, but we should not be disheartened and throw in the
towel. Get up, get going, and get on the right course. Never give in to Mara.
Our time is short. We must seize every opportunity to perform good deeds.
If we can prevail in this life, we will prevail in future lives. This present lifetime
is vital. Realizing this, we must exercise extra patience, extra care, extra
wisdom, and extra purity.
Don?t carry any unwholesome baggage with you. Carry only goodness.
Strive to overcome the badness from this moment on until your final breath.
You have already come this far. Don?t give in. Don?t let this lifetime go to
waste. You are born to defeat Mara, not the other way around.
August 20, 1982 |
Final lifetime
I reflected on my situation and I perceived that, in one of my past lifetimes,
I must have committed certain unwholesome acts that resulted in negative
retributions for me. That was why I had to endure so many obstacles in this life.
Now that I know this is my final lifetime, I devote my life to the practice of
good deeds with all my heart. I realize that time goes by quickly; to free
myself from the grip of Mara, I can no longer wait nor waste any more time.
With whatever time I still have left, I need to perform as many good deeds
as I can.
When we realize that we have made a mistake and have committed
something wrongful, we should give ourselves a chance to start over. Learn
from mistakes and stop being reckless. Proceed to do more good deeds.
Everyone makes mistakes. This is natural. ?Even with four legs an animal
stumbles; even with a bright mind a wise man falls,? so goes the saying.
Mistakes can be made, but we should not be disheartened and throw in the
towel. Get up, get going, and get on the right course. Never give in to Mara.
Our time is short. We must seize every opportunity to perform good deeds.
If we can prevail in this life, we will prevail in future lives. This present lifetime
is vital. Realizing this, we must exercise extra patience, extra care, extra
wisdom, and extra purity.
Don?t carry any unwholesome baggage with you. Carry only goodness.
Strive to overcome the badness from this moment on until your final breath.
You have already come this far. Don?t give in. Don?t let this lifetime go to
waste. You are born to defeat Mara, not the other way around.
August 20, 1982
| 148) One last lifetime
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| Endure for one more lifetime. After this, things will be different. The truth will reveal itself after its job is done. When the dust settles, we will
know who is who and what is what. I come with no inferiority complex, only purity. I am brave and confident because I know that everything that I do, I do with pureness in my heart. |
One last lifetime
Endure for one more lifetime. After this, things will be different. The truth will reveal itself after its job is done. When the dust settles, we will
know who is who and what is what. I come with no inferiority complex, only purity. I am brave and confident because I know that everything that I do, I do with pureness in my heart.
| 149) Keep up with me
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| If you are concerned that you cannot keep up with me, then hurry up and practice purity. Be sure to have patience and perseverance.
May 5, 1980 |
Keep up with me
If you are concerned that you cannot keep up with me, then hurry up and practice purity. Be sure to have patience and perseverance.
May 5, 1980
| 150) Battle in silence
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| Pursuing virtue is not such an easy task. You have to fight, you have to endure, and you have to battle in silence. I build virtue. I fight silently. I rely on my merit for help. And I win because of merit.
September 10, 1991 |
Battle in silence
Pursuing virtue is not such an easy task. You have to fight, you have to endure, and you have to battle in silence. I build virtue. I fight silently. I rely on my merit for help. And I win because of merit.
September 10, 1991
| 151) Fighting spirit
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| To pursue Perfections, one must possess a fighting spirit and the ability to endure.
November 17, 1991 |
Fighting spirit
To pursue Perfections, one must possess a fighting spirit and the ability to endure.
November 17, 1991
| 152) Non-defiance
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| I was a student of Luang Por Wat Paknam for almost my entire life, and I never disobeyed him.
Even if he scolded me, I did not once lose my patience.
I only wanted to perform good deeds.
I doubt very few people could have been as patient as I was.
November 10, 1990 |
Non-defiance
I was a student of Luang Por Wat Paknam for almost my entire life, and I never disobeyed him.
Even if he scolded me, I did not once lose my patience.
I only wanted to perform good deeds.
I doubt very few people could have been as patient as I was.
November 10, 1990
| 153) Don?t lose self-control
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| Keep arrogance out of your heart, even if you think you know better than others.
Be humble and patient.
Your teachers and elders have only good intentions for you.
Remember what I say here.
Make resolutions to not lose yourself on this point, or you will miss the opportunities to gain the knowledge and know-how that allow you to complete your Path.
November 10, 1990 |
Don?t lose self-control
Keep arrogance out of your heart, even if you think you know better than others.
Be humble and patient.
Your teachers and elders have only good intentions for you.
Remember what I say here.
Make resolutions to not lose yourself on this point, or you will miss the opportunities to gain the knowledge and know-how that allow you to complete your Path.
November 10, 1990
| 154) Stay humble
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| Some people have the tendency to show superiority over others when given an assignment by the Master. This is a bad attitude. For me, I always keep my humility.
November 10, 1990 |
Stay humble
Some people have the tendency to show superiority over others when given an assignment by the Master. This is a bad attitude. For me, I always keep my humility.
November 10, 1990
| 155) Compromise for the sake of merit
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| I am the compromising type. I keep my ego in line and I maintain my humility
at all times.
We should learn to compromise and get along with everyone, and allow everyone to benefit from the virtues that we are pursuing together.
If we are working together to make merit, then there should be a give-and-take attitude between everyone just for the sake of harmony and for the sake of merit.
When patience and conciliation are observed, the task becomes easier and the merit benefits everyone.
October 22, 1976 |
Compromise for the sake of merit
I am the compromising type. I keep my ego in line and I maintain my humility
at all times.
We should learn to compromise and get along with everyone, and allow everyone to benefit from the virtues that we are pursuing together.
If we are working together to make merit, then there should be a give-and-take attitude between everyone just for the sake of harmony and for the sake of merit.
When patience and conciliation are observed, the task becomes easier and the merit benefits everyone.
October 22, 1976
| 156) Willing to accept hardship
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| I pursue Perfections with the goal to attain Nibbana after I have vanquished
all Mara. As long as Mara still remains I will not allow myself to enter Nibbana.
My mind is focused on merit. This is my final life that Mara can affect me. In
this life, I am willing to lower my ego and accept hardship. It is not easy to
find someone who can do this.
As for people who come to the Buddhajak Center, some come with
respect but some come with an intention to find faults. Even so, I always expressed
my gesture of respect to them first by giving them a ?wai?32 (joining
palms together in a prayer gesture). I am a clumsy old lady; by giving a ?wai?
to someone much younger always brings that person?s guard down. So,
instead of looking for faults, the person would ?wai? me back showing his/
her respect in return. By lowering my ego, I have transformed an act of ill-will
to an act of goodwill for that person.
February 20, 1977 |
Willing to accept hardship
I pursue Perfections with the goal to attain Nibbana after I have vanquished
all Mara. As long as Mara still remains I will not allow myself to enter Nibbana.
My mind is focused on merit. This is my final life that Mara can affect me. In
this life, I am willing to lower my ego and accept hardship. It is not easy to
find someone who can do this.
As for people who come to the Buddhajak Center, some come with
respect but some come with an intention to find faults. Even so, I always expressed
my gesture of respect to them first by giving them a ?wai?32 (joining
palms together in a prayer gesture). I am a clumsy old lady; by giving a ?wai?
to someone much younger always brings that person?s guard down. So,
instead of looking for faults, the person would ?wai? me back showing his/
her respect in return. By lowering my ego, I have transformed an act of ill-will
to an act of goodwill for that person.
February 20, 1977
| 157) Banish pride
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| From my heart I have banished pride and ill-will, and I urge all of the monks and attendees at this temple to do the same.
But if someone is hostile against our community or has the desire to cause disharmony among our people, I will not fail to stand up against them.
May 31, 1981 |
Banish pride
From my heart I have banished pride and ill-will, and I urge all of the monks and attendees at this temple to do the same.
But if someone is hostile against our community or has the desire to cause disharmony among our people, I will not fail to stand up against them.
May 31, 1981
| 158) Trust
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| To my elders I pay the deepest respect by showing my humility, honesty, and truthfulness.
I have no fear of the repercussion for doing virtuous acts.
In doing so, I have earned their highest trust.
May 5, 1980 |
Trust
To my elders I pay the deepest respect by showing my humility, honesty, and truthfulness.
I have no fear of the repercussion for doing virtuous acts.
In doing so, I have earned their highest trust.
May 5, 1980
| 159) Love of cleanliness
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| My love of cleanliness has been a part of me for as long as I can remember.
I have fought for a long time to keep cleanliness wherever I go.
Cleanliness has become a symbol of this temple.
It has contributed to the faith, confidence, and respect of the people who come here.
They see this place as a sanctuary and as a serene place to practice meditation.
Please do not abandon the way of cleanliness that I have worked so hard to maintain.
October 25, 1981 |
Love of cleanliness
My love of cleanliness has been a part of me for as long as I can remember.
I have fought for a long time to keep cleanliness wherever I go.
Cleanliness has become a symbol of this temple.
It has contributed to the faith, confidence, and respect of the people who come here.
They see this place as a sanctuary and as a serene place to practice meditation.
Please do not abandon the way of cleanliness that I have worked so hard to maintain.
October 25, 1981
| 160) To be admired by humans and angels
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| Upon seeing some brooms lying around haphazardly, I would order them to be put back neatly.
We must learn how to keep everything neat and tidy.
After we finish using something we should put that thing back in its own proper place.
Maintain cleanliness and tidiness. Keeping this habit will help you find orderliness in everything that you do in every lifetime.
April 19, 1992 |
To be admired by humans and angels
Upon seeing some brooms lying around haphazardly, I would order them to be put back neatly.
We must learn how to keep everything neat and tidy.
After we finish using something we should put that thing back in its own proper place.
Maintain cleanliness and tidiness. Keeping this habit will help you find orderliness in everything that you do in every lifetime.
April 19, 1992
| 161) Observe regulations
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| Where there is civilization, there is decline. Where there are the wise, there
are also fools. With so many people attending the temple, let?s work together
to observe the regulations for the common good.
May 24, 1981 |
Observe regulations
Where there is civilization, there is decline. Where there are the wise, there
are also fools. With so many people attending the temple, let?s work together
to observe the regulations for the common good.
May 24, 1981
| 162) Abide by the rules
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| Abide by the rules and regulations of the places where we find ourselves.
When I first arrived at Wat Paknam, I made the effort to learn all the rules and
regulations of the temple and abide by them with full respect. That was why
I enjoyed very good welfare. I respected Luang Por Wat Paknam?s every rule
while I was at the meditation workshop and did so even after he died. Now
at the Buddhajak Center, I maintain the same self-discipline and I encourage
you to do the same.
Set yourself as a good example; others will follow. We should all share the
responsibility. This way, everyone will share the benefits and the happiness.
June 7, 1980 |
Abide by the rules
Abide by the rules and regulations of the places where we find ourselves.
When I first arrived at Wat Paknam, I made the effort to learn all the rules and
regulations of the temple and abide by them with full respect. That was why
I enjoyed very good welfare. I respected Luang Por Wat Paknam?s every rule
while I was at the meditation workshop and did so even after he died. Now
at the Buddhajak Center, I maintain the same self-discipline and I encourage
you to do the same.
Set yourself as a good example; others will follow. We should all share the
responsibility. This way, everyone will share the benefits and the happiness.
June 7, 1980
| 163) No violation
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| When I first joined the meditation class, I was faced with many obstacles.
Some people were hostile against me out of spite or jealousy.
But they could not find fault with me because I never violated any rules or regulations.
June 7, 1980 |
No violation
When I first joined the meditation class, I was faced with many obstacles.
Some people were hostile against me out of spite or jealousy.
But they could not find fault with me because I never violated any rules or regulations.
June 7, 1980
| 164) Possessions well protected
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| Wherever I go, I respect my own property as well as the property of others.
Treat other?s property as if they are your own. In this way, your properties in
future lifetimes will always be well looked after by yourself and others.
June 7, 1981 |
Possessions well protected
Wherever I go, I respect my own property as well as the property of others.
Treat other?s property as if they are your own. In this way, your properties in
future lifetimes will always be well looked after by yourself and others.
June 7, 1981
| 165) Use your resources wisely
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| Whatever resources we have, use them wisely and do not be wasteful.
Whether it is water, electricity, or money, use it wisely, lest we end up being deprived of them.
Even a small amount of water should not be wasted. |
Use your resources wisely
Whatever resources we have, use them wisely and do not be wasteful.
Whether it is water, electricity, or money, use it wisely, lest we end up being deprived of them.
Even a small amount of water should not be wasted.
| 166) Respect the value of money
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| We must appreciate the value of money. don't live or act beyond your means.
don't spend money frivolously. Know how to save. Be cognizant of the fact that money is not so easy to come by.
Think how hard it is to make each dollar that you spend.
I reach out to our supporters, through both physical and spiritual means (through meditation), to come up with enough income to support our staff and attendants so that everyone here can live comfortably and be able to pursue perfected virtues without difficulties.
It gives me great joy and a peace of mind to be able to do this.
But if the staff and attendants fail to utilize our resources in a worthwhile manner, then no matter how much income we generate, it will never be enough.
And we will end up working our life away looking for money.
Follow my example. See how I use money in the most worthwhile way.
Learn how to spend minimum money for maximum benefit.
June 24, 1980 |
Respect the value of money
We must appreciate the value of money. don't live or act beyond your means.
don't spend money frivolously. Know how to save. Be cognizant of the fact that money is not so easy to come by.
Think how hard it is to make each dollar that you spend.
I reach out to our supporters, through both physical and spiritual means (through meditation), to come up with enough income to support our staff and attendants so that everyone here can live comfortably and be able to pursue perfected virtues without difficulties.
It gives me great joy and a peace of mind to be able to do this.
But if the staff and attendants fail to utilize our resources in a worthwhile manner, then no matter how much income we generate, it will never be enough.
And we will end up working our life away looking for money.
Follow my example. See how I use money in the most worthwhile way.
Learn how to spend minimum money for maximum benefit.
June 24, 1980
| 167) Avoid wastage
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| When managing a construction project, pay attention to expenses and leakage.
don't let things slip through the cracks. Every bit of money we have comes from donations.
People have worked hard to earn this money.
Whether it is a few dollars or a few pennies that people donate, it is our duty to spend it in the most prudent way.
Before donators part with their hard-earned money, they make one hopeful resolution after another for that money to bring them meritorious outcomes.
If you spend their donations carelessly, beware that you may end up causing more demerit than merit. |
Avoid wastage
When managing a construction project, pay attention to expenses and leakage.
don't let things slip through the cracks. Every bit of money we have comes from donations.
People have worked hard to earn this money.
Whether it is a few dollars or a few pennies that people donate, it is our duty to spend it in the most prudent way.
Before donators part with their hard-earned money, they make one hopeful resolution after another for that money to bring them meritorious outcomes.
If you spend their donations carelessly, beware that you may end up causing more demerit than merit.
| 168) Look after what you create
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| If you build something, can you also take care of what you have built? Having
the ability to create something is not enough unless you can look after it too.
If not, you might as well not build it.
I built this temple and I also have the ability to look after it.
February 15, 1992 |
Look after what you create
If you build something, can you also take care of what you have built? Having
the ability to create something is not enough unless you can look after it too.
If not, you might as well not build it.
I built this temple and I also have the ability to look after it.
February 15, 1992
| 169) destitute of gambling
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| Addressing a gambling addict whose relative brought him to the temple:
Gambling is bad. No matter how much money you win, it will not last.
Your entire family will be consumed by your addiction. Even a billion dollars
will not last long in the hands of a gambler. A gambler's mind is consumed
with the greed for more. Money won from gambling is impure. You may win
at the beginning but your greed will cause you to lose more in the end.
No matter how much money a gambler has, he will become destitute in the
end. There is not a chance for wealth in gambling.
August 18, 1991 |
destitute of gambling
Addressing a gambling addict whose relative brought him to the temple:
Gambling is bad. No matter how much money you win, it will not last.
Your entire family will be consumed by your addiction. Even a billion dollars
will not last long in the hands of a gambler. A gambler's mind is consumed
with the greed for more. Money won from gambling is impure. You may win
at the beginning but your greed will cause you to lose more in the end.
No matter how much money a gambler has, he will become destitute in the
end. There is not a chance for wealth in gambling.
August 18, 1991
| 170) A place of merit
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| When I came to live at the Buddhajak Center, I set my mind to this one goal: to make this place clean and pure, a meritorious place of virtue where people come to practice meditation and achieve purity. |
A place of merit
When I came to live at the Buddhajak Center, I set my mind to this one goal: to make this place clean and pure, a meritorious place of virtue where people come to practice meditation and achieve purity.
| 171) At the cost of my life
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| I devoted my flesh and blood to establish the Buddhajak Center without the consideration for my own health, so much so that right before it was
completed, I became severely ill.
This time, I nearly died. I had to take refuge in merit at all times in order to survive.
I lived; but if this happened to another old person, I am sure that person would have already ended up in a coffin.
I'm well now, but only as much as an old person can be well.
February 26, 1983 |
At the cost of my life
I devoted my flesh and blood to establish the Buddhajak Center without the consideration for my own health, so much so that right before it was
completed, I became severely ill.
This time, I nearly died. I had to take refuge in merit at all times in order to survive.
I lived; but if this happened to another old person, I am sure that person would have already ended up in a coffin.
I'm well now, but only as much as an old person can be well.
February 26, 1983
| 172) Don?t delve on the negative
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| If you make a bad mistake, don?t let your thoughts run away with you in a
negative direction or it will open doors for Mara to step in and make things
worse. The more negative your imagination, the more harm you will bring to
yourself. It is better for your mind to take refuge at the center of your body.
When people commit a bad mistake or face adversity, they tend to become
negative and think of the worst. They become discouraged, disheartened,
depressed, and demoralized. These negative emotions give the opportunity
for Mara to come in with its malicious ?program? that causes everything bad
to come to fruition. In other words, your negative thoughts cause negative
effects.
So when bad situations happen, keep your mind at the center of your body.
Eventually, the negative energy will go away and you will be able to remedy
the situations.
September 20, 1976 |
Don?t delve on the negative
If you make a bad mistake, don?t let your thoughts run away with you in a
negative direction or it will open doors for Mara to step in and make things
worse. The more negative your imagination, the more harm you will bring to
yourself. It is better for your mind to take refuge at the center of your body.
When people commit a bad mistake or face adversity, they tend to become
negative and think of the worst. They become discouraged, disheartened,
depressed, and demoralized. These negative emotions give the opportunity
for Mara to come in with its malicious ?program? that causes everything bad
to come to fruition. In other words, your negative thoughts cause negative
effects.
So when bad situations happen, keep your mind at the center of your body.
Eventually, the negative energy will go away and you will be able to remedy
the situations.
September 20, 1976
| 173) Make the best of the present
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| I am someone who is not easily upset or affected. I teach myself at all times
that it does not matter whether we are born rich or poor, smart or dumb, or
even illiterate. What is important is now that we have been born into this life,
it is wise for us to do maximum good deeds so that all good things will come
to us in our future lives. Do good now to reap more good in the future. The
past is gone. I never think of the past. I only think of the present and I do my
best in the present.
Before, when I was a farmer, I had many friends. But since I entered the
temple, my mind was only on Dhamma and I never missed my friends.
At the meditation workshop, whenever Luang Por Wat Paknam gave me
an assignment, the only thought I had was to fulfill that assignment to the
best of my ability. As a result, I was able to answer every one of Luang Por?s
queries. My meditation skills became very profound and I advanced more
quickly than others in the class.
When I lived at the Dhammaprasit House, my only focus was on making the
place clean and pure, to be a good place for performing virtues.
When living at the Buddhajak Center, I never got nostalgic for the
Dhammaprasit house. I set out with the only focus on my mind, that is,
to make the Buddhajak Center a clean and pure place, the best place to
build virtues.
I devote myself to the tasks in the present, focus my attention to the job at
hand, and contemplate on doing the best for that job now. I allow nothing to
distract me so that I can fulfill my tasks in the best possible way. Doing so will
enable me to find only good things in my future lives.
September 1, 1977 |
Make the best of the present
I am someone who is not easily upset or affected. I teach myself at all times
that it does not matter whether we are born rich or poor, smart or dumb, or
even illiterate. What is important is now that we have been born into this life,
it is wise for us to do maximum good deeds so that all good things will come
to us in our future lives. Do good now to reap more good in the future. The
past is gone. I never think of the past. I only think of the present and I do my
best in the present.
Before, when I was a farmer, I had many friends. But since I entered the
temple, my mind was only on Dhamma and I never missed my friends.
At the meditation workshop, whenever Luang Por Wat Paknam gave me
an assignment, the only thought I had was to fulfill that assignment to the
best of my ability. As a result, I was able to answer every one of Luang Por?s
queries. My meditation skills became very profound and I advanced more
quickly than others in the class.
When I lived at the Dhammaprasit House, my only focus was on making the
place clean and pure, to be a good place for performing virtues.
When living at the Buddhajak Center, I never got nostalgic for the
Dhammaprasit house. I set out with the only focus on my mind, that is,
to make the Buddhajak Center a clean and pure place, the best place to
build virtues.
I devote myself to the tasks in the present, focus my attention to the job at
hand, and contemplate on doing the best for that job now. I allow nothing to
distract me so that I can fulfill my tasks in the best possible way. Doing so will
enable me to find only good things in my future lives.
September 1, 1977
| 174) Help them by inviting them to the temple
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| To help someone reach Heaven, first invite that person to come to the temple.
When I lived at Wat Paknam, I received invitations frequently to dine at
various homes. Luang Por Wat Paknam gave me this thought: ?Eating my
food, you are only indebted to one person, me. Isn?t that enough? Why do
you need to eat at other people?s houses too?? I knew what he meant. From
then on, I stopped eating at other people?s houses.
I reminded monks who were invited to dine out: ?Now that you have
ordained, instead of going to other people?s houses for a meal, why not invite
people to come to the temple instead? If you dine out at their homes, then
they will find no need to come to the temple to offer food.?
January 10, 1981 |
Help them by inviting them to the temple
To help someone reach Heaven, first invite that person to come to the temple.
When I lived at Wat Paknam, I received invitations frequently to dine at
various homes. Luang Por Wat Paknam gave me this thought: ?Eating my
food, you are only indebted to one person, me. Isn?t that enough? Why do
you need to eat at other people?s houses too?? I knew what he meant. From
then on, I stopped eating at other people?s houses.
I reminded monks who were invited to dine out: ?Now that you have
ordained, instead of going to other people?s houses for a meal, why not invite
people to come to the temple instead? If you dine out at their homes, then
they will find no need to come to the temple to offer food.?
January 10, 1981
| 175) Putting down roots
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| I wish nothing but prosperity for you. Although you may be impressed by tales of other places, remember that we have put down our roots here at the Buddhajak Center.
February 8, 1981 |
Putting down roots
I wish nothing but prosperity for you. Although you may be impressed by tales of other places, remember that we have put down our roots here at the Buddhajak Center.
February 8, 1981
| 176) Plan your life
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| Plan well for your life. I planned everything through.
Even as a simple farmer, foresight served me well.
In the rice field and in the home, my skill at planning ahead helped my family to pay off our debt and we were able to save some money.
After I saw that my family was doing well, I made plans to enter the temple and to seek out my late father's afterlife whereabouts.
This story was recounted in the book, The Path to Happiness.
I lived for a time with Madam Liab and used my skills to help run her
household. While living there I met Thongsuk Samdangpan and learned
meditation from her.
Once I attained Dhammakaya, I wanted to join the temple immediately but
I knew Madam Liab would not let me. So instead, I asked her for a leave
to visit my family. With the help of Thongsuk, I was admitted to the temple,
shaved my head, and became a nun.
Once I joined the temple, I detached myself from the outside world completely, concentrating only on mastering the Dhammakaya Knowledge.
That is why my meditation skills are so profound.
March 1, 1981 |
Plan your life
Plan well for your life. I planned everything through.
Even as a simple farmer, foresight served me well.
In the rice field and in the home, my skill at planning ahead helped my family to pay off our debt and we were able to save some money.
After I saw that my family was doing well, I made plans to enter the temple and to seek out my late father's afterlife whereabouts.
This story was recounted in the book, The Path to Happiness.
I lived for a time with Madam Liab and used my skills to help run her
household. While living there I met Thongsuk Samdangpan and learned
meditation from her.
Once I attained Dhammakaya, I wanted to join the temple immediately but
I knew Madam Liab would not let me. So instead, I asked her for a leave
to visit my family. With the help of Thongsuk, I was admitted to the temple,
shaved my head, and became a nun.
Once I joined the temple, I detached myself from the outside world completely, concentrating only on mastering the Dhammakaya Knowledge.
That is why my meditation skills are so profound.
March 1, 1981
| 177) Leaving home
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| When I was a young girl about 11 or 12 years old, my father came home drunk one day.
He was so drunk that he fell asleep on the ground outside the house while the rest of the family slept inside.
In disgust, my mother called him a "sparrow" (a Thai expression for a worthless person) that leached off
her wealth.
My father angrily asked all the children if we heard her abuse him.
Innocently, I said that I did not think she had insulted him.
He became so enraged that he cursed me to deafness for 500 lifetimes.
I was very frightened of his curse! On the day he died, I was out in the rice field. By the time I returned home, he had already passed away, so I missed my opportunity to ask him for forgiveness.
I thought surely his curse would come true.
I became determined to somehow find him in the afterlife to ask for his forgiveness.
When I learned about Luang Por Wat Paknam, I knew there was a way.
So as soon as I was sure my family could support themselves, I left home.
June 7, 1981 |
Leaving home
When I was a young girl about 11 or 12 years old, my father came home drunk one day.
He was so drunk that he fell asleep on the ground outside the house while the rest of the family slept inside.
In disgust, my mother called him a "sparrow" (a Thai expression for a worthless person) that leached off
her wealth.
My father angrily asked all the children if we heard her abuse him.
Innocently, I said that I did not think she had insulted him.
He became so enraged that he cursed me to deafness for 500 lifetimes.
I was very frightened of his curse! On the day he died, I was out in the rice field. By the time I returned home, he had already passed away, so I missed my opportunity to ask him for forgiveness.
I thought surely his curse would come true.
I became determined to somehow find him in the afterlife to ask for his forgiveness.
When I learned about Luang Por Wat Paknam, I knew there was a way.
So as soon as I was sure my family could support themselves, I left home.
June 7, 1981
| 178) Only merit in mind
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| If you come to the temple for the sole purpose of gaining merit, then you are on the right path and you will never fall into misfortune.
On the other hand, if you come here to seek fame or popularity or to flirt, you will end up not making it.
In understanding myself, I am able to understand all others.
My eyes are wide open to my own nature and can look into what I have done in my past, what I am doing in my present, and what I will become in my future, all the way to Nibbana.
I know everything now, including my path to end suffering. However, I still have to be reborn so that I can eradicate the rest of the defilements that are still with me.
I observe quietude and have become a good role model in this regard.
The monks here also enjoy the tranquility.
June 21, 1981 |
Only merit in mind
If you come to the temple for the sole purpose of gaining merit, then you are on the right path and you will never fall into misfortune.
On the other hand, if you come here to seek fame or popularity or to flirt, you will end up not making it.
In understanding myself, I am able to understand all others.
My eyes are wide open to my own nature and can look into what I have done in my past, what I am doing in my present, and what I will become in my future, all the way to Nibbana.
I know everything now, including my path to end suffering. However, I still have to be reborn so that I can eradicate the rest of the defilements that are still with me.
I observe quietude and have become a good role model in this regard.
The monks here also enjoy the tranquility.
June 21, 1981
| 179) A mind free of negative thoughts
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| Someone asked me if I have any suffering nowadays.
I told him I did not, because I only allow good things to come into my mind and never let any
negative thoughts enter.
From the moment I wake up, my mind is filled with only good thoughts.
I have accumulated so much virtue and maintain only goodness in my mind.
If a bad situation occurs, I confront it for the greater good but I will not let it linger in my mind.
If I do complain about someone or something, it is only for the betterment.
But once it is over, I move on and never let it linger.
Then when I meditate, my mind is completely free from these thoughts, concentrating only on meditative attainment.
That is why I am able to find happiness.
October 28, 1982 |
A mind free of negative thoughts
Someone asked me if I have any suffering nowadays.
I told him I did not, because I only allow good things to come into my mind and never let any
negative thoughts enter.
From the moment I wake up, my mind is filled with only good thoughts.
I have accumulated so much virtue and maintain only goodness in my mind.
If a bad situation occurs, I confront it for the greater good but I will not let it linger in my mind.
If I do complain about someone or something, it is only for the betterment.
But once it is over, I move on and never let it linger.
Then when I meditate, my mind is completely free from these thoughts, concentrating only on meditative attainment.
That is why I am able to find happiness.
October 28, 1982
| 180) Be a good role model
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| Learn to do things right. Learn to be clean and tidy. People will see your behavior and set you as a good example.
There will always be new people coming to the temple.
I cannot always be present to teach or to show them how to do things.
After I am gone you can be their example. Practice good behavior and teach others to do the same.
July 18, 1981 |
Be a good role model
Learn to do things right. Learn to be clean and tidy. People will see your behavior and set you as a good example.
There will always be new people coming to the temple.
I cannot always be present to teach or to show them how to do things.
After I am gone you can be their example. Practice good behavior and teach others to do the same.
July 18, 1981
| 181) Give up bad habits
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| Break your bad habits in this life and you will not have them in the next life.
If in the next life you still retain the same undesirable behavior, it will be because you did not heed this advice.
July 18, 1981 |
Give up bad habits
Break your bad habits in this life and you will not have them in the next life.
If in the next life you still retain the same undesirable behavior, it will be because you did not heed this advice.
July 18, 1981
| 182) Use kind speech
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| Addressing volunteers at the temple: Kind words are better than harsh speech.
Kind words engender respect and cooperation from the person you are speaking to, rather than fear.
If people fear you, they will not want to help you in the future.
Then your work will be slow, and since they did not help you they will miss the opportunity to gain merit.
Disagreements should be addressed civilly and sensitively and people will be willing to learn from you.
Then we will accomplish our work and they will also gain merit.
November 11, 1980 |
Use kind speech
Addressing volunteers at the temple: Kind words are better than harsh speech.
Kind words engender respect and cooperation from the person you are speaking to, rather than fear.
If people fear you, they will not want to help you in the future.
Then your work will be slow, and since they did not help you they will miss the opportunity to gain merit.
Disagreements should be addressed civilly and sensitively and people will be willing to learn from you.
Then we will accomplish our work and they will also gain merit.
November 11, 1980
| 183) Desire gives rise to suffering
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| Desire is the source of suffering. Whether it is the desire for wealth, beauty, or fame, they all lead to unhappiness. Because I have no desire for these things, I have no suffering. |
Desire gives rise to suffering
Desire is the source of suffering. Whether it is the desire for wealth, beauty, or fame, they all lead to unhappiness. Because I have no desire for these things, I have no suffering.
| 184) Protect your mind
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| It is the natural condition of the world to have both the good and the bad.
Sometimes we are joyous and happy; sometimes we are sad and worried.
This is a part of life. However the world may be, just let it be. don't worry, be happy.
It is better to preserve the quality of our mind.
Thinking about negative things and the problems of others can only affect your mind.
You can lose anything but don't lose the quality of your mind.
February 17, 1982 |
Protect your mind
It is the natural condition of the world to have both the good and the bad.
Sometimes we are joyous and happy; sometimes we are sad and worried.
This is a part of life. However the world may be, just let it be. don't worry, be happy.
It is better to preserve the quality of our mind.
Thinking about negative things and the problems of others can only affect your mind.
You can lose anything but don't lose the quality of your mind.
February 17, 1982
| 185) Awakening
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| When I was small, I walked behind my mother and I thought to myself:
?Please don?t let me suffer when I get old.?
Do people ever realize that the reason they suffer is because they are
inundated with demerit? Will they ever come to this awakening?
February 25, 1982 |
Awakening
When I was small, I walked behind my mother and I thought to myself:
?Please don?t let me suffer when I get old.?
Do people ever realize that the reason they suffer is because they are
inundated with demerit? Will they ever come to this awakening?
February 25, 1982
| 186) Don?t look down on anyone
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| Never look down upon anyone, whether he is a beggar, poor, middle class, or a millionaire.
When I lived in Nakorn Chaisri, whenever a beggar came to me for rice, I gave him rice; whenever a beggar came to me for grain, I gave him grain.
September 10, 1982 |
Don?t look down on anyone
Never look down upon anyone, whether he is a beggar, poor, middle class, or a millionaire.
When I lived in Nakorn Chaisri, whenever a beggar came to me for rice, I gave him rice; whenever a beggar came to me for grain, I gave him grain.
September 10, 1982
| 187) Right balance
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| Like preparing food, everything should be arranged in the right proportion.
Apply the right balance in everything you do.
Too much or too little is not good. The Middle Way is the way to go. |
Right balance
Like preparing food, everything should be arranged in the right proportion.
Apply the right balance in everything you do.
Too much or too little is not good. The Middle Way is the way to go.
| 188) Humans are the most blessed
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| Human beings are the most capable creatures.
Even big, bulky metal can be made to float on water.
To be born human is the highest blessing indeed.
No creatures can be more capable or well-blessed than a human.
October 1, 1982 |
Humans are the most blessed
Human beings are the most capable creatures.
Even big, bulky metal can be made to float on water.
To be born human is the highest blessing indeed.
No creatures can be more capable or well-blessed than a human.
October 1, 1982
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