..续本文上一页age, he wore a torn robe, with the idea that he”d get a new robe, too. When he had finished his duties and was leaving, Luang Pu noticed the tear in the robe and was struck with pity for his nephew. So he got up, opened a cabinet, and handed his nephew something, saying,
"Here. Sew that up. Don”t go around wearing a robe all torn like that."
Disappointed, Novice Phrom had to quickly accept the needle and thread from Luang Pu”s hand.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. Why do they suffer
A middle-aged lady once came to pay respect to Luang Pu. She described her situation in life, saying that her social position was good and she had never lacked for anything. She was upset, though, over her son, who was disobedient, disorderly, and had fallen under the influence of every kind of evil amusement. He was laying waste to his parents” wealth, as well as to their hearts, in a way that was more than they could bear. She asked Luang Pu to advise her on an approach that would lessen her suffering, as well as getting her son to give up his evil ways.
Luang Pu gave her some advice on these matters, also teaching her how to quiet her mind and how to let go.
After she had left, he commented,
"People these days suffer because of thoughts."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. Inspired words
Luang Pu continued with a Dhamma talk, saying, "Material things are already there in the world in a way that”s perfectly complete. People who lack the discernment and ability can”t take possession of them and so they have difficulties in providing for themselves. Those with the discernment and ability can take possession of the valuables of the world in large quantities, making life convenient and comfortable for themselves in all circumstances. As for the noble ones, they try to conduct themselves for the sake of gaining release from all those things, entering a state where they have nothing at all, because —
"In the area of the world, you have things that you have. In the area of the Dhamma, you have something you don”t have."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. More inspired words
"When you can separate the mind from its involvement with all things, the mind is no longer tied to sorrow. Whether sights, sounds, smells, tastes, or tactile sensations are good or bad depends on the mind”s going out to fashion them in that way. When the mind lacks discernment, it misunderstands things. When it misunderstands things, it gets deluded under the influence of all things that are binding, both physically and mentally. The ill effects and punishments we suffer physically are things from which other people can help free us, to at least some extent. But the ill effects within the mind, to which the mind is in bondage through defilement and craving, are things from which we have to learn to free ourselves on our own.
"The noble ones have freed themselves from ill effects of both sorts, which is why suffering and stress can”t overcome them."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. Still more inspired words
"When a person has shaved his hair and beard and put on the ochre robe, that”s the symbol of his state as a monk. But it counts only on the external level. Only when he has shaved off the mental tangle — all lower preoccupations — from his heart can you call him a monk on the internal level.
"When a head has been shaved, little creeping insects like lice can”t take up residence there. In the same way, when a mind has gained release from its preoccupations and is freed from fabrication, suffering can”t take up residence at all. When this becomes your normal st…
《Gifts He Left Behind - Dhamma Legacy》全文未完，请进入下页继续阅读…