The Living Computer
“Do you think that working for inner peace and enlightenment needs to be supplemented by engaged Buddhism or working for world peace, by challenging the structures that oppress – e.g. armies, governments, religions, bigotry – through non-violent actions?”
Well-Spoken Words II (a)
We monitor the effects of our speech to ensure that it fulfils our intention. If our intention, for example, is to inform, are we explaining ourselves clearly?
Don’t Give In
The first group increases the things that respond to the needs of hunger and takes this to be happiness; the second group decreases the things that respond to the needs of hunger and takes this to be happiness. The first group feels that the more they yield to craving the better; the second group feels that the more they overcome craving the better.
Q12. How Do the Minds of Ordinary People and of Practicing Buddhists Differ?
We shall consider a perspective that gives some understanding of the difference in level between the minds of ordinary people and the minds of Buddhists who actually practice.
-4- Study of Dhamma from Objects of Analogy
We have tried to make something that would promote profound Dhamma. An example is the Nalikae Pond, in the middle of which there is an island planted with a lone coconut tree. It is in the southern part of Suan Mokkh. Our intention is for the pond to represent a sea of wax.
Well-Spoken Words (V)
𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁
We are mindful if the other person’s words are (a) relevant to the conversation, and (b) conducive to growth in wholesome or unwholesome mental states.
𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿
We seek to be aware of the effect upon our judgement of the other person’s appearance, body language and tone of voice.
Right Happiness
Those who enjoy physical happiness stuff themselves until sated. Those who enjoy spiritual happiness overcome their hunger by controlling the senses until they are extinguished and calmed.
Q11. Whom Did the Buddha Teach Us to Believe?
If you are asked this, answer with the Buddha’s advice from the Kālāma Sutta: believe one’s own clear seeing. What is meant by ‘seeing clearly?’
-3- Study of Dhamma from Pictures
You have to know that the pictures and carvings contain riddles, that is, there are meanings hidden in them. That’s why they are called ‘Dhamma-riddle pictures.’ This is very good because they are a collection of the wisdom of the ancient people.
Well-Spoken Words (IV)
At the same time as considering these five points within ourselves, we also practice being aware of them with regard to other people.
𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
We remind ourselves that we cannot read minds. We can never be completely sure of the other person’s intention.
Know Your Whole World
Those who love physical and worldly happiness say that "the mind resides in the body." But those who love the spiritual happiness of the Dhamma say that "the body resides in the mind." The first group only knows one hemisphere of this world, and the second group knows the whole sphere.
Q10. Which Aspect of the Teaching, as Recorded in the Pali Texts, Did the Buddha Teach Most of All?
Answer once again by quoting the Buddha: ‘The five khandhas are impermanent (anicca) and not-self (anattā).’ These five khandhas are the five aggregates into which a person is divisible.
-2- Answers to Questions about the Scriptures
Where can you find answers to questions about the Scriptures? At the library, from certain monks or from myself. We will be glad to answer questions about the Scriptures. We have been familiar with them for decades and know quite well about what is said and where to look for answers in them.
Stress Testing the Heart
One of the things physicians do to get a general sense of the health of the heart is a cardiac stress test. Now here we are in the third month of this global pandemic, social distancing and lockdown, that’s a stress test for a different kind of heart.
The Dhammic Life Which Is Still a Secret
“In order to unveil the secrets of life, scientists must destroy life by using animals in experiments. For example problems like AIDS can only be solved if one understands the immune system fully. Since we cannot use humans we have to study the immune system in animals. What do you think about this problem? Do you think it is inappropriate to kill a few animals to save many human lives?”
The Third Wish: To Lead the World Out of Materialism
On the occasion of Buddhadasa Bhikkhu’s 114th anniversary, BIA offers this special e-print of his major discourse on what remains a critical question for our time: “Now that everybody is more or less becoming a slave of materialism, what are we to do?”
Well-Spoken Words (III)
We have looked at the two preliminary considerations of intention and timeliness. We have looked at the two considerations of content: truthfulness and benefit. The fifth consideration is of 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿.
True Nourishment
Physical or worldly happiness has to be continually "drunk" or "eaten" to sustain it. But really these actions should be done only to stop or allay hunger whenever we fell its pangs. As for spiritual or Dhammic happiness, no drinking or eating is required to bring it about.
Q9. What Is the Dhamma That Is Highest and Most Profound, That Transcends the World and Death in All Their Forms?
The Buddha called it suññatāppaṭisaṃyuttā which means ‘Dhamma connected with suññatā,’ or even ‘suññatā’ itself. Dhamma that is permeated with suññatā is Dhamma at its highest and most profound.