The Living Computer
“Buddhism relies on the law of nature. In nature, survival of the fittest is a very basic concept. Actually this is a concept in human thinking – it’s not a concept in nature itself – it’s just a human theory. ‘Working for the sake of duty’ seems to be close to the concepts of socialism or communism, and experience seems to show that, like nature, man performs best under some degree of competition. Why then does Buddhism promote the concept of living and working only for the sake of duty?”
Mutual Aid: The Heart of Civilization
Recently, I was sent a beautiful vignette. It concerned the great cultural anthropologist, Margaret Mead. On one occasion she was asked what she considered to be the first sign of civilization in a culture.
Material Delusion
Those who let the mind become deluded with material things eventually give in to their lower nature and work against the world.
Q16. How can we settle doubts whether a particular teaching is the Buddha’s or not?
The Buddha laid down a principle for testing: examine and measure against the Suttas (discourses) and compare with the Vinaya (discipline). This principle is based on not believing anything second hand and not taking anyone else as sole authority.
-8- Stone Carvings Depicting the Story of the Buddha
These carvings are installed on the outside wall of the Spiritual Theater. It’s a shame and rather disappointing that we invested much but have gained little.
The Living Computer
“Upon reaching the state of Nibbāna, what is the stimulus for working toward the betterment of the world? Wouldn’t it be just as easy to be lazy? What drives you personally?”
Āsāḷha Puja Day
On the full moon day of July, we commemorate the occasion on which the Buddha delivered his first discourse, the Dhammacakkha-pavattana Sutta, so called because it ‘set into motion the wheel of Dhamma’. It was the day the teachings first appeared in the world, and the day that Venerable Kondañño became the first person to penetrate their deep meaning.
Beyond Physical Happiness
Those caught up in the delusions of physical happiness often complain about their exceptionally bad kamma and bad fortune.
Q15. Must we have heard the Buddha’s Dhamma directly from himself in order to end suffering?
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.
-7- A Collection of All Dhamma-riddle Pictures
This includes not only paintings but also all kinds of pictures or images that have riddles or hidden meanings inside. Each picture of interest needs some time to be studied.
The Living Computer
“What should one do in a country that is not Buddhist anymore, where the power structures – whether the military or whoever – will not talk with us or is unwilling to discuss or negotiate?”
Mangala Sutta
In the first two lines of the Discourse on Blessings (Mangala Sutta), the Buddha gives his most fundamental advice for life in the world: be careful who you associate with. However, the terms he uses may need some explanation. The Buddha says that two of life’s highest blessings come from ‘not associating with the foolish, but associating with the wise.’
Right Satisfaction
Those who only seek to satisfy their desires do not have a satisfied mind even after desires are met. They still need new and strange things to keep them tantalized.
Q14. What Role Does Kamma Play in Buddhism?
Many Westerners have written books on Buddhism, and they seem to be most proud of the chapters dealing with kamma (Sanskrit, karma) and rebirth. However, their explanations are wrong, quite wrong every time.
-6- Comments or Discourses by the Monks
You can ask for comments and instructions from me at my hut or from some other monks. Every preacher here is knowledgeable in some aspects of Dhamma, and you can ask them about such aspects.
The Living Computer
“How should Buddhists respond when in a certain country the military is dominating society through the use of force and is oppressing the people? How should we challenge them or how should we resist, or shouldn’t we?”
Craving Corrupts
Those who enjoy physical happiness are willing to yield to craving without a second thought. They invite friends and relatives to seek only this type of pleasure, because they don't know any better.
Q13. Which Way of Practice Constitutes the Ordinary Path and Which Is the Shortest, Most Direct Path?
Concerning ordinary practice, we might answer ‘The noble eightfold path.’ You have probably heard the details, namely, right understanding, right aim, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. This is called noble eightfold path.
-5- Study of Dhamma from Objects of Analogy
For the skeletons on display at the Dhamma Hall, I have to thank Dr. Praphan Arimit, who sent them here. He bought them with his own money and arranged for their delivery one by one until we had the complete set: skeletons of a male adult, a female adult, and a child, constituting the likeness of a family.