DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA
(Delivered to the Western disciples at Bung Wai Forest Monastery during the Rains Retreat 1977)
Sometimes, when a fruit tree is in bloom, a breeze stirs and scatters blossoms to the ground. Some buds remain and grow into a small green fruit. A wind blows and some of them, too, fall! Still others may become fruit or nearly ripe, or some even fully ripe, before they fall.
And so it is with people. Like flowers and fruit in the wind they, too, fall in different stages of life. Some people die while still in the womb, others within only a few days after birth. Some people live for a few years then die, never having reached maturity. Men and women die in their youth. Still others reach a ripe old age before they die.
When reflecting upon people, consider the nature of fruit in the wind: both are very uncertain.
This uncertain nature of things can also be seen in the monastic life. Some people come to the monastery intending to ordain but change their minds and leave, some with heads already shaved. Others are already novices, then they decide to leave. Some ordain for only one Rains Retreat then disrobe. Just like fruit in the wind β all very uncertain!
Our minds are also similar. A mental impression arises, draws and pulls at the mind, then the mind falls β just like fruit.
The THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA understood this uncertain nature of things. He observed the phenomenon of fruit in the wind and reflected upon the True Followers of The Path Shown by The THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA and novices who were his disciples. He found that they, too, were essentially of the same nature β uncertain! How could it be otherwise? This is just the way of all things.
Thus, for one who is practicing with awareness, it isn’t necessary to have someone to advise and teach all that much to be able to see and understand. An example is the case of the THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA who, in a previous life, was King Chanokomun. He didn’t need to study very much. All he had to do was observe a mango tree.
One day, while visiting a park with his retinue of ministers, from atop his elephant, he spied some mango tees heavily laden with ripe fruit. Not being able to stop at that time, he determined in his mind to return later to partake of some. Little did he know, however, that his ministers, coming along behind, would greedily gather them all up; that they would use poles to knock them down, beating and breaking the branches and tearing and scattering the leaves.
Returning in the evening to the mango grove, the king, already imagining in his mind the delicious taste of the mangoes, suddenly discovered that they were all gone, completely finished! And not only that, but the branches and leaves had been thoroughly thrashed and scattered.
The king, quite disappointed and upset, then noticed another mango tree nearby with its leaves and branches still intact. He wondered why. He then realized it was because that tree had no fruit. If a tree has no fruit nobody disturbs it and so its leaves and branches are not damaged. This lesson kept him absorbed in thought all the way back to the palace: “It is unpleasant, troublesome and difficult to be a king. It requires constant concern for all his subjects. What if there are attempts to attack, plunder and seize parts of his kingdom?” He could not rest peacefully; even in his sleep he was disturbed by dreams.
He saw in his mind, once again, the mango tree without fruit and its undamaged leaves and branches. “If we become similar to that mango tree,” he thought, “our “leaves” and “branches,” too, would not be damaged.”
In his chamber he sat and meditated. Finally, he decided to ordain as a True Followers of The Path Shown by The THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA, having been inspired by this lesson of the mango tree. He compared himself to that mango tree and concluded that if one didn’t become involved in the ways of the world, one would be truly independent, free from worries or difficulties. The mind would be untroubled. Reflecting thus, he ordained.
From then on, wherever he went, when asked who his teacher was, he would answer, “A mango tree.” He didn’t need to receive teaching all that much. A mango tree was the cause of his Awakening to the Opanayiko-Dhamma, the teaching leading inwards. And with this Awakening, he became a True Followers of The Path Shown by The THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA, one who has few concerns, is content with little, and who delights in solitude. His royal status given up, his mind was finally at peace.
In this story The THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA was a BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA to be who developed his practice in this way continuously. Like THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA as King Chanokomun, we, too, should look around us and be observant because everything in the world is ready to teach us.
With even a little intuitive wisdom, we will then be able to see clearly through the ways of the world. We will come to understand that everything in the world is a teacher. Trees and vines, for example, can all reveal the true nature of reality. With wisdom there is no need to question anyone, no need to study. We can learn from Nature enough to be enlightened, as in the story of King Chanokomun, because everything follows the way of Truth. It does not diverge from Truth.
Associated with wisdom are self-composure and restraint which, in turn, can lead to further insight into the ways of Nature. In this way, we will come to know the ultimate truth of everything being “Anicca-Dukkha-Anatta.” Take trees, for example; all trees upon the earth are equal, are One, when seen through the reality of “Anicca-Dukkha-Anatta.” First, they come into being, then grow and mature, constantly changing, until they die finally die as every tree must.
In the same way, people and animals are born, grow and change during their life-times until they eventually die. The multitudinous changes which occur during this transition from birth to death show the Way of DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA. That is to say, all things are impermanent, having decay and dissolution as their natural condition.
If we have awareness and understanding, if we study with wisdom and mindfulness, we will see DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA as reality. Thus, we sill see people as constantly being born, changing and finally passing away. Everyone is subject to the cycle of birth and death, and because of this, everyone in the universe is as One being. Thus, seeing one person clearly and distinctly is the same as seeing every person in the world.
In the same way, everything is DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA. Not only the things we see with our physical eye, but also the things we see in our minds. A thought arises, then changes and passes away. It is “Nama DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA,” simply a mental impression that arises and passes away. This is the real nature of the mind. Altogether, this is the Noble Truth of DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA. If one doesn’t look and observe in this way, one doesn’t really see! If one does see, one will have the wisdom to listen to the DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA as proclaimed by THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA.
Where is the THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA.?
THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA. is in the DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA.
Where is the DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA?
The DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA is in the THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA.Right here, now!
Where is the Spiritual Community of The True Followers of The Path Shown by THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA?
The True Followers of The Path Shown by THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA is in the DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA.
THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA.the DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA and The True Followers of The Path Shown by THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA exist in our minds, but we have to see it clearly. Some people just pick this up casually saying, “Oh! The THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA, the DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA and The True Followers of The Path Shown by THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA exist in my mind.” Yet their own practice is not suitable or appropriate. It is thus not befitting that the THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA, the DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA and the Sangha should be found in their minds, namely, because the “mind” must first be that mind which knows the DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA.
Bringing everything back to this point ofDOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA , we will come to know that, in the world, Truth does exist, and thus it is possible for us to practice to realize it.
For instance, “Nama DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA,” feelings, thoughts, imagination, etc., are all uncertain. When anger arises, it grows and changes and finally disappears. Happiness, too, arises, grows and changes and finally disappears. They are empty. They are not any “thing.” This is always the way of all things, both mentally and materially. Internally, there are this body and mind. Externally, there are trees, vines and all manner of things which display this universal law of uncertainty.
Whether a tree, a mountain or an animal, it’s all DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA, everything is DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA . Where is this DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA? Speaking simply, that which is not DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA doesn’t exist. DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA is Nature. This is called the “Sacca-DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA,” the True DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA. If one sees Nature, one sees DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA; if one sees DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA, one sees Nature. Seeing Nature, one know the DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA.
And so, what is the use of a lot of study when the ultimate reality of life, in its every moment, in its every act, is just an endless cycle of births and deaths? If we are mindful and clearly aware when in all postures (sitting, standing, walking, lying), then self-knowledge is ready to be born; that is, knowing the truth of DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA already in existence right here and now.
At present, the THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA, the real THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA, is still living, for He is the DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA itself, the “Sacca-.DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA” And “Sacca-DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA,” that which enables one to become THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA, still exists. It hasn’t fled anywhere! It gives rise to two THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATAS: one in body and the other in mind.
“The real DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA,” the THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA told Ananda, “can only be realized through practice!” Whoever sees the THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA, sees the DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA. And how is this? Previously, no THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA existed; it was only when Siddhartha Gotama realized the DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA that he became THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA. If we explain it in this way, then He is the same as us. If we realize the DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA, then we will likewise be the Buddha. This is called THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA in mind or “Nama-DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA.”
We must be mindful of everything we do, for we become the inheritors of our own good or evil actions. In doing good, we reap good. In doing evil, we reap evil. All you have to do is look into your everyday lives to know that this is so. Siddhartha Gotama was enlightened to the realization of this Truth, and this gave rise to the appearance of a BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA in the world. Likewise, if each and every person practices to attain to this Truth, then they, too, will change to be THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA.
Thus, THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA still exists. Some people are very happy saying, “If THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA still exists, then I can practice DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA!” That is how you should see it.
The DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA that THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA realized is the DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA which exists permanently in the world. It can be compared to ground water which permanently exists in the ground. When a person wishes to dig a well, he must dig down deep enough to reach the ground water. The ground water is already there. He does not create the water, he just discovers it. Similarly, THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA did not invent the DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA, did not decree the DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA. He merely revealed what was already there. Through contemplation, the THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA saw the DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA. Therefore, it is said that the THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA was Awakened, for Awakenment is knowing the DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA. The DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA is the Truth of this world. Seeing this, Siddhartha Gotama is called “The THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA.” And the DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA is that which allows other people to become a THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA, “One-who-knows,” one who knows DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA.
If beings have good conduct and are loyal to the THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA-DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA, then those beings will never be short of virtue and goodness. With understanding, we will see that we are really not far from the THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA, but sitting face to face with Him. When we understand the DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA, then at that moment we will see the THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA.
If one really practices, one will hear the THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA-DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA whether sitting at the root of a tree, lying down or in whatever posture. This is not something to merely think about. It arises from the pure mind. Just remembering these words is not enough, because this depends upon seeing the DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA itself, nothing other than this. Thus we must be determined to practice to be able to see this, and then our practice will really be complete. Wherever we sit, stand, walk or lie, we will hear the THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA’s DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA.
In order to practice His Teaching, the THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA taught us to live in a quiet place so that we can learn to collect and restrain the senses of the eye, ear, nose, tongue, body and mind. This is the foundation for our practice since these are the places where all things arise, and only in these places. Thus we collect and restrain these six senses in order to know the conditions that arise there. All good and evil arise through these six senses. They are the predominant faculties in the body. The eye is predominant in seeing, the ear in hearing, the nose in smelling, the tongue in tasting, the body in contacting hot, cold, hard and soft, and the mind in the arising of mental impressions. All that remains for us to do is to build our practice around these points.
The practice is easy because all that is necessary has already been set down by the THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA. This is comparable to the THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA planting an orchard and inviting us to partake of its fruit. We, ourselves, do not need to plant one.
Whether concerning morality, meditation or wisdom, there is no need to create, decree or speculate, because all that we need to do is follow the things which already exist in the THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA’s Teaching.
Therefore, we are beings who have much merit and good fortune in having heard the Teachings of the THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA. The orchard already exists, the fruit is already ripe. Everything is already complete and perfect. All that is lacking is someone to partake of the fruit, someone with faith enough to practice!
We should consider that our merit and good fortune are very valuable. All we need to do is look around to see how much other creatures are possessed of ill-fortune; take dogs, pigs, snakes and other creatures for instance. They have no chance to study DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA, no chance to know DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA, no chance to practice DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA. These are beings possessed of ill-fortune who are receiving karmic retribution. When one has no chance to study, to know, to practice DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA, then one has no chance to be free from Suffering.
As human beings we should not allow ourselves to become victims of ill-fortune, deprived of proper manners and discipline. Do not become a victim of ill-fortune! That is to say, one without hope of attaining the Path of Freedom to Nibbana, without hope of developing virtue. Do not think that we are already without hope! By thinking in that way, we would then become possessed of ill-fortune the same as other creatures.
We are beings who have come within the sphere of influence of the THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA. Thus we human beings are already of sufficient merit and resources. If we correct and develop our understanding, opinions and knowledge in the present, then it will lead us to behave and practice in such a way as to see and know DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA in this present life as human beings.
We are thus different from other creatures, beings that should be awakened to the DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA. THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA taught that at this present moment, the DOCTRINE-TRUE PRACTICE OF THE PATH SHOWN BY THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA exists here in front of us. THE BLESSED NOBLE AWAKENED ONE - THE TATHAGATA sits facing us right here and now! At what other time or place are you going to look?
If we don’t think rightly, if we don’t practice rightly, we will fall back to being animals or creatures in Hell or hungry ghosts or demons. How is this? Just look in your mind. When anger arises, what is it? There it is, just look! When delusion arises, what is it? That’s it, right there! When greed arises, what is it? Look at it right there!
By not recognizing and clearly understanding these mental states, the mind changes from being that of a human being. All conditions are in the state of becoming. Becoming gives rise to birth or existence as determined by the present conditions. Thus we become and exist as our minds condition us.