Disadhamma Mankind’s Pathway Dhamma
This book presents a series of special discourses by Venerable Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu. The discourses were delivered to his student-monks, who were ordained for a limited time. They were somewhat like the last instruction for the monks, before their returning to laity, to take along dhammic concepts and to rightly conduct themselves in the surrounding society. This would bring them peace and harmony with the world. The title of the lecture was Disadhamma, which means the pathway dhamma for mankind.
Food for Thought #68
Those who have never tasted sweetness should not contend that it does not exist in this world. They should look for some sugar to taste in order to find out for themselves what sweetness is all about. Similarly, those who have yet to attain nibbana should not deny its existence. They should strive to taste it for themselves.
Food for Thought #67
Those who have never tasted something sweet cannot describe what it is like - they can only go around saying "sweet, sweet." This taste is difficult to explain, just like the taste of nibbana. The taste of nibbana is many times more difficult to explain than the tastes on your tongue - and similes and hypotheses still do not help to convey it.
Food for Thought #66
Don't talk frivolously about the taste of nibbana - even the taste of solitude or the initial stages of concentration are difficult to describe and pin down. This is because these flavors are strange, exotic, and different from those usually experienced by worldly people.
Abandoning
The Buddha encouraged his disciples ‘Whatever is not yours, abandon it; abandoning it will lead to your long-lasting welfare and happiness.’
Food for Thought #65
As soon as we partake of the highest penetrating insight, all mental obscurities are sloughed off and the tranquillity of nibbana is experienced. It is difficult to make this generally understood; it is a taste difficult to describe. Even though I would like to tell you about it, I am not exactly sure how to put it.
Asalha Puja
Today is Asalha Puja day, the day when we commemorate the teaching of the Dhammacakkha Sutta, the Buddha’s first discourse.
It might be said that the July (Asalha) full moon day, exactly two months after the Buddha’s enlightenment, signified the birth of Buddhism.
Food for Thought #64
When we bathe, we experience the freshness of the water. When the mind attains the final goal, it experiences the tranquillity of nibbana. This tranquillity is a special, spiritual food of the highest order.
The Monkey Mind
Monkeys often appear in Buddhist texts as symbols of mental unrest. When agitated, the mind is commonly referred to by meditation teachers as the ‘monkey mind’.
The Third Wish: To Lead the World Out of Materialism ❖ ปณิธาน 3 ประการ ข้อสาม การนำโลกออกมาเสียจากวัตถุนิยม
Dear Buddhist and Dhammic friends who are interested in Dhamma, in the third delivery of my discourse, I will begin with the Third Wish as the topic of my talk. The wish is to lead the world out of materialism. It sounds uninteresting, but in fact it is a matter that deserves the greatest interest. It is materialism that has become our enemy, and it is even more harmful than anything else one could possibly conceive of, especially in this present age when materialism practically reigns over the world.
Food for Thought #63
Peace means the tranquillity that comes from a mind that has attained nibbana or a condition of openness and emptiness that constitutes freedom, a going beyond all things: beyond body and mind, and beyond all the laws limiting body and mind. It is something that no one can put limitations on, except in a hypothetical sense.
Observing the Occasional Absence of Defilement
It is usually much easier to notice a new presence than a new absence. Presence is immediate: ‘What’s that strange object in the corner?’, ‘What a surprise, they’ve come to visit at last!’ Absence is more subtle and we often completely overlook it …
Mindfulness of Breathing (Anapanasati)
I will now sit so that you can see what is the correct posture for meditation. (Acariya Buddhadasa then sat in the formal, meditation posture). Today I shall talk about how to practise meditation, or concentration (Samadhi). I shall speak particularly on Mindfulness of Breathing, as requested by the students and some of the teachers. But before I give instructions on how to practise meditation, I would like to mention a few preliminary points. These points will help you to understand the meaning and purpose of concentration or meditation…
Dhamma Q&A with Buddhadāsa and monks from Wat Pah Nanachat
“What is the role of saññā (perception) in paṭiccasamuppāda?”
Food for Thought #62
When the mind is progressively fed and nurtured to the point of attaining nibbana - having eliminated all stains and misguided tendencies - it continues to be nourished by the taste of nibbana. Peace is the flavor of nibbana! And the peaceful mind provides sustenance for other things!
Buddhist Faith
Religious faith gives people a sense of meaning and purpose, and provides emotional comfort through the ups and downs of life. A study of history suggests strongly that these psychological benefits are enjoyed independently of the objects of faith.
Towards Buddha-Dhamma ❖ วิถีแห่งการเข้าถึงพุทธธรรม
What is Buddha-dhamma? Before dealing with the Way to Buddha-dhamma, I would like you to know the meaning of this word. Its meanings are various, but at this time I will confine myself to the meaning which has to do with the highest blissful state of mind.
Dhamma Q&A with Buddhadāsa and monks from Wat Pah Nanachat
“In terms of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, to what degree can they be practiced in ordinary life, and to what degree do they require formal meditation and a strong level of samādhi or concentration?”
Food for Thought #61
Nibbana is the result of penetrating insight; it provides the spiritual sustenance that comes from completely penetrating all of life's problems. At its initial stage, this penetration can be called embarking on the Path, beginning the way.