..續本文上一頁s, ”uppajjitva nirujjhanti”: Having been born, they are bound to die. There”s no other way it could be.

　　But as for Ven. Acariya Mun, he had taken a path different from that of conventional reality, in line with the teaching, ”tesam vupasamo sukho”: In their stilling is ease. He had died in this lifetime, lying still for just this brief span of time so that his students could reflect with resignation on the Dhamma, but from now on he would never be reborn to be a source for his students” tears again. His mind had now separated from becoming and birth in the same way that a rock split into two pieces can never be truly rejoined.

　　So I sat there, reflecting with despair. The problems in my heart that I had once unburdened with him: With whom would I unburden them now

　　 There was no longer anyone who could unburden and erase my problems the way he had. I was left to fend for myself. It was as if he had been a doctor who had cured my illnesses countless times and who was the one person with whom I had entrusted my life -- and now the doctor who had given me life was gone. I”d have to become a beast of the forest, for I had no more medicine to treat my inner diseases.

　　While I was sitting there, reminiscing sadly about him with love, respect, and despair, I came to a number of realizations. How had he taught me while he was still alive

　　 Those were the points I”d have to take as my teachers. What was the point he had stressed repeatedly

　　 ”Don”t ever stray from your foundation, namely "what knows" within the heart. Whenever the mind comes to any unusual knowledge or realizations that could become detrimental, if you aren”t able to investigate your way past that sort of knowledge, then turn the mind back within itself and, no matter what, no damage will be done.” That was what he had taught, so I took hold of that point and continued to apply it in my own practice to the full extent of my ability.

　　To be a senior monk comes from being a junior monk, as we see all around us and will all experience. We all meet with difficulties, whether we”re junior or senior. This is the path we all must take. We must follow the path of difficulty that is the path toward progress, both in the area of the world and in the area of the Dhamma. No one has ever become a millionaire by being lazy or by lying around doing nothing. To be a millionaire has to come from being persevering, which in turn has to take the path of difficulty -- difficulty for the sake of our proper aims. This is the path wealthy and astute people always follow.

　　Even in the area of the Dhamma, we should realize that difficulty is the path of sages on every level, beginning with the Buddha himself. The Dhamma affirms this: Dukkhassanantaram sukham -- people gain ease by following the path of difficulty. As for the path to suffering, sukhassanantaram dukkham -- people gain difficulties by following the path of ease. Whoever is diligent and doesn”t regard difficulty as an obstacle, whoever explores without ceasing the conditions of nature all around him, will become that third sort of person: the sort who doesn”t ask to be reborn in this world, the sort who tesam vupasamo sukho -- eradicates the seeds for the rebirth of any sort of formation, experiencing an ease undisturbed by worldly baits, an ease that is genuinely satisfying.

　　So. I ask that all of you as meditators keep these three sorts of people in mind and choose for yourselves which of the three is the most outstanding within you right now -- because we can all make ourselves outstanding, with no need to fear that it will kill us. The effort to gain release from suffering and stress in the Lord Buddha”s footsteps isn”t an executioner waiting to behead the person who strives in the right direction. Be brave in freeing yourself…

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