Q15. Must we have heard the Buddha’s Dhamma directly from himself in order to end suffering?

~ By Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu ~

There have been some who have argued vehemently that we must hear Dhamma from the Buddha himself, that only then could we really understand. But the Buddha himself said that there were some who, though they hadn’t heard Dhamma directly from him, would still be able to walk the right path. There are some who, not having heard about it from the Buddha, would nevertheless, through continuous reflection, consideration, and study, through constant observation and practice, be able to walk the right path.

We ought to raise our hands in homage and immerse ourselves in the sincerity of the Buddha that he didn’t make Dhamma his monopoly, that he didn’t set himself up as indispensable. Though this may seem a minor issue, it is of utmost importance.

(From “Buddha-Dhamma for Inquiring Minds”)

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Buddha-Dhamma for Students (title of original translation) was composed of two talks given by Ajahn Buddhadāsa in January 1966 to students at Thammasat University, Bangkok. It was translated from the Thai by Rod Bucknell, and revised in 2018 by Santikaro Upasaka. To read/download as free ebook (pdf).

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For all English retreat talks, visit Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu.

For more information and free ebooks, visit Suan Mokkh – The Garden of Liberation.

Photo: Buddhadāsa Indapañño Archives D-57