..續本文上一頁ve insight. For the all-embracing realization of truth — of every aspect of truth within our heart. Victory will bring us freedom, and it”s this that is ”the highest blessing”.13

　　The Lord said that:

　　"The realization of Nibbaana is the highest blessing."14

　　So you can see that this is the way to go. Nibbaana is concealed because the heart is covered and obscured by defilements, craving and ignorance. This has to be cleared and put right by investigation and an analysis to gain insight into the truth. It is the way to uncover and reveal all the things that have been hidden. It”s called the way of realizing Nibbaana and seeing it clearly within the heart — here is the highest blessing. What can be any higher than this

　　From here on it is:

　　"Whatever comes into contact, this heart is no longer shaken or upset. Nothing can reach it or affect it." Asoka viraja khema etam mangalamuttama."15

　　This is the secure and blissful heart — "khema.m" — and it is the highest blessing. These two blessings that I”ve mentioned are found in the heart, and nowhere else. It is the heart that is the blessing, yet it can also become a bane.

　　Right at this moment, we are turning the malediction that has infiltrated our hearts into the benediction ”Nibbaana sacchikiriya”. So then, let”s open and clear all of this:

　　"Tapo ca brahmacariyanca Ariya sacca na dassanam."

　　Here, ”tapo” means the burning up of defilements. They sear the heart with their own heat so we must turn on them the dhamma-torch,16 which is mindfulness and wisdom. It”s putting the heat on the defilements and burning them out.

　　”Ariya Sacca” and ”dassanam” is the realization of the Four Noble Truths: Suffering is now fully understood by the heart; its Cause is completely relinquished; the Path is fully developed to its ultimate level of greater-mindfulness and wisdom.17 All that”s left to say is, the Cessation of suffering is now fully apparent.

　　This is what is meant by seeing the Truth of Dhamma, and the one who truly knows this is the one who reveals Nibbaana. This one is the heart that is no longer shaken and upset by all the worldly dhammas.18

　　So then, shouldn”t we try to reach the essential, the heart of the matter. As far as the aggregates and body go, well, we already have gone into that. It”s the heart that really counts.

　　If any thing should break up and come apart, well, let it. That”s the way the world goes along and it”s been like that from time immemorial. We have followed that way for so long, dying and being born again and again... Continuing along the old highway.

　　This so-called ”highway” is really the common course of things, the way the world gets along. No one can block this path and all must follow it. Yet surely by now, you are starting to have an inkling of the truth. What else can I say... I can”t present anything more. Please take this up and examine it with care. Don”t be careless and complacent.

　　"Endeavoring for the realization of Nibbaana is the highest blessing

　　— Nibbaana sacchikiriya ca etammangalamuttamam."

　　And one day it must definitely belong to the followers of the Lord Buddha, to those who determinedly strive on.

　　May I close this Dhamma talk with that.

　　Notes

　　1. boon and bahp. (Thai)

　　2. "Mano pubba.mgamaa dhammaa"

　　3. kusalaa dhammaa; akusalaa dhammaa

　　4. ruupa

　　5. upaadaana

　　6. sabhaava dhamma

　　7. sanyaa

　　8. naama-dhamma; incorporeal.

　　9. offender = nak tote, offences = tote (Thai)

　　10. sabhaava-dhamma

　　11. amata.m

　　12. vi-va.t.ta; va.t.ta-cakra

　　13. from the Mangala Sutta, on the ”highest blessing.”

　　14. "Nibbaanasacchikiriyaa ca etam ma.ngalamuttama.m"

　　15. "Phu.t.thassa lokadhammehi citta.m yassa na kampati,

　　Asoka.m viraja.m khema.m etam ma.ngalamuttama.m."

　　16. tapa dhamma

　　17. mahaa-sati; mahaa-panyaa

　　18. loka-dhamma

《To the Last Breath - 3· The Highest Blessing》全文閱讀結束。