Keys to Natural Truth
“The tragedy of human life is that it is such a mystery to us who live it. The source, the basis, the meaning, and the purpose of our lives are unknown to most of us, which prevents us from living fully, wholly, happily, Although it should not and need not be so, distorted vision and out-of control thoughts turn ordinary life into a secret. Even this life which each of us calls "my own" is obscured by the confusion and turmoil of emotions, beliefs, opinions, and misunderstandings. Not knowing life, we live it incorrectly and in conflict with nature and its truth. Such living is stunted, cramped, petty, selfish, and sorrow-ridden. How are we to step free of that into the peace, coolness, and joy that we know is natural and right?
“Certain beings are deeply moved to clear up this mystery and it tragic pain. The Buddha is one who succeeded perfectly, both for himself and for all humanity. His success came through the direct realization of the Dhamma, the Natural Truth which frees the heart from all misery and problems. As a natural consequence of his awakening, he dedicated his life to helping others awaken. In his own words, "The Dhamma has been preached well by us, thus: like something upside-down, it has been set right; like something closed, it has been opened; it has been proclaimed resoundingly; the ragged edges have been cut away."
“Explaining and pointing out the way to Natural Truth is all one being can do for another, but it is enough to help us clear up the mystery of our own lives and find peace. Yet we often fail to understand his gift. This failure is caused by our opinions, lack of awareness, laziness, apathy, and so on. The keys in this book, then, are intended to help open a clear and livable path through our confusion and weakness into a correct understanding of Dhamma (Natural Truth), so that the Dhamma in turn may illuminate life, reveal its secret, and quench all suffering (dukkha).” (From the Editor’s Forward)
THB 60
Being 5 articles: "Kalama Sutta, Help Us," written on 6 May 1988; "Two Kinds of Language: Everyday Language & Dhamma Language," a lecture at Suan Mokkh on 8 October 1966; "Looking Within," a lecture at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, on 15 December 1961; "Happiness & Hunger," a lecture to foreign meditators at Suan Mokkh on 7 May 1986; and "Dhamma-Truth of Samatha-Vipassana For The Nuclear Age," a lecture at Suan Mokkh on 31 March 1984. Translated from the Thai by Santikaro Bhikkhu, Rod Bucknell, et al. Edited and with a foreword by Santikaro Bhikkhu. First published by The Dhamma Study & Practice Group, Bangkok, 1988. 159 pages.
