Wednesday, March 26, 2025

No.410 - The Teachings of Ajahn Chah

 No.410 - The Teachings of Ajahn Chah



In the Buddha’s time there was one disciple who was very astute.


At one time, as the Buddha was expounding the Dhamma, he turned to this monk and asked, ‘Sāriputta, do you believe this?’ Venerable Sāriputta replied, ‘No, I don’t yet believe it.’ The Buddha praised his answer; ‘That’s very good, Sāriputta, you are one who is endowed with wisdom. 


One who is wise doesn’t readily believe, he listens with an open mind and then weighs up the truth of that matter before believing or disbelieving.’


Now the Buddha here has set a fine example for a teacher. 


What Venerable Sāriputta said was true, he simply expressed his true feelings. Some people would think that to say you didn’t believe that teaching would be like questioning the teacher’s authority, they’d be afraid to say such a thing. 


They’d just go ahead and agree. This is how the worldly way goes.


But the Buddha didn’t take offence. He said that you needn’t be ashamed of those things which aren’t wrong or bad. It’s not wrong to say that you don’t believe if you don’t believe. That’s why Venerable Sāriputta said, ‘I don’t yet believe it.’ The Buddha praised him; ‘This monk has much wisdom. He carefully considers before believing anything.’


The Buddha’s actions here are a good example for one who is a teacher of others. 


Sometimes you can learn things even from small children; don’t cling blindly to positions of authority.


~ Ajahn Chah

No.409 - The Teachings of Ajahn Suchart ( Wed, 26 March 2025)

 No.409 - The Teachings of Ajahn Suchart ( Wed, 26 March 2025)





Wed, 26 March 2025



When you are born, regardless of which society you are born into, you are born into a society where greed, hatred and delusion fill the minds of each individual.”


Student (Male, M):  Some people are treated unfairly, such as in Tibet.


Do you think a peaceful approach by relying on your past kamma is the right way to cope with such a situation?


Tan Ajaan:  No, the right way to cope with such a situation is to do like the Buddha did: that is, do not take a new life, as I have explained to you. 


Because when you are born, regardless of which society you are born into, you are born into a society where greed, hatred and delusion fill the minds of each individual. 


This greed, hatred and delusion in the minds of each individual will be the cause of conflicts, the cause of problems. If everyone can live in peace and not bother other people, then it is all right, but no one likes to do that. 


Everyone likes to hurt others, or to oppress them under their power, for instance. That is because the mind has not been taught to live properly. 


The mind is still under the delusion that having things or people under its command makes it feels good. 


So, this kind of thinking only causes struggle and war in society. 


Buddhism offers a personal salvation, but not a salvation for everyone. It is something we have to seek for ourselves. This is because everyone has different ways of looking at things and we cannot convince everyone to think the same way as us. The Buddha never tried to teach everyone to be like him; he only taught people who thought like Him.


These sorts of problems don’t just exist in our time, they also existed in the past. If you study history, you know that there have always been problems, there have always been wars. It will always been like that because the mind of each individual has not been taught with the right knowledge.


………..


Than Ajahn:  Any more questions?


Layman:  No more.


Than Ajaan:  Whoever has questions may post them on the Internet (inbox), on Facebook. But you will need to be patient and wait for the answer. The person who asks on your behalf will key in/upload the answer (video) to Facebook. This is suitable for people who live far away and are not able to come themselves. 


If the questions come through email, there may not be time to answer because writing a reply takes up too much time. It is not as easy as speaking, which only takes a few moments. One minute of speaking will take up to five minutes to write. In addition, if the written reply is not clear, then one needs to ask further questions. Going back and forth in this way may take a long time and become difficult. 


The best way to ask questions is to come here in person. However, you may instead try to solve the problem by thinking it out first rather than asking others endlessly whenever problems arise.


By Ajaan Suchart Abhijāto

www.phrasuchart.com


Youtube: Dhamma in English

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi_BnRZmNgECsJGS31F495g


#ajahnsuchartabhijato #greed #hatred #delusion #kamma #dhamma



May all be safe from harm n danger.