We must start right here where we are, directly and simply. When the first two steps, virtue and right view, have been completed, then the third step of uprooting defilement will naturally occur without deliberation. When light is produced, we no longer worry about getting rid of the darkness, nor do we wonder where the darkness has gone. We just know that there is light.
152
Following the precepts has three levels. The first is to undertake them as training rules given to us by our teachers. The second arises when we undertake and abide in them by ourselves. But for those at the highest level, the Noble Ones, it is not necessary to speak of precepts, of right and wrong. This true virtue comes from wisdom that knows the Four Noble Truths in the heart and acts from this understanding.
153
Some monks disrobe to go to the front where bullets fly past them every day. They prefer it like that. They really want to go. Danger surrounds them on all sides and yet they”re pre3pared to go. Why don”t they see the danger
They”re prepared to die by the gun but nobody wants to die developing virtue. This is really amazing, isn”t it
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Miscellaneous
154
One of Ajahn Chah”s disciples had a knee problem that could only be corrected by surgery. Although the doctors assured him that his knee would be well in a couple of weeks, months went by and it still hadn”t healed properly. When he saw Ajahn Chah again, he complained saying, "They said it wouldn”t take this long. It shouldn”t be this way." Ajahn Chah laughed and said, "If it shouldn”t be this way, it wouldn”t be this way."
155
If someone gives you a nice fat, yellow banana that”s sweet and fragrant but poisonous, will you eat it
Of course not! Yet though we know that desire is poisonous, we go ahead and "eat" it anyway!
156
See your defilements; know them like you know a cobra”s poison. You won”t grab the cobra because you know it can kill you. See the harm in things harmful and the use in things useful.
157
We are always dissatisfied. In a sweet fruit, we miss the sour; in a sour fruit, we miss the sweet.
158
If you have something bad smelling in your pocket, wherever you go it will smell bad. Don”t blame it on the place.
159
Buddhism in the East today is like a big tree, which may look majestic, but can only give small and tasteless fruit. Buddhism in the West is like a sapling, not yet able to bear fruit, but having the potential to give large sweet ones.
160
People nowadays think too much. There are too many things for them to get interested in, but none of them lead to any true fulfillment.
161
Just because you go and call alcohol "perfume" doesn”t make it become perfume, you know. But, you people, when you want to drink alcohol, you say it”s perfume, then go ahead and drink it. You must be crazy!
162
People are always looking outwards, at people and things around them. They look at this hall, for example, and say, "Oh, it”s so big!" Actually it”s not big at all. Whether or not it seems big, depends on your perception of it. In fact this hall is just the size it is, neither big nor small. But people run after their feelings all the time. They are so busy looking around and having opinions about what they see that they have no time to look at themselves.
163
Some people get bored, fed up, tired of the practice, and lazy. They can”t seem to keep the Dhamma in mind. Yet, if you go and scold them, they”ll never forget that. Some may remember it for the rest of their lives and never forgive you for it. But when it comes to the Buddha”s teaching, telling us to be moderate, to be restrained, to practice conscientiously, why do they keep forgetting these things
Wh…
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