Luangpor Pramote Pamojjo
A Simple and Ordinary Subject Called Dhamma
To be truly mindful does not mean we have to question ourselves or to guess whether at this moment there is happiness, suffering, anger, doubt or craving. It is very important to stress that we must be mindful of the actual phenomena of the mind, or the absolute reality, because the mind needs to witness and learn from the actual arising, changing and disappearing of all things on its own, and not via the thinking process.
Once we are mindful of the mental phenomena as they arise, the mind needs to have sufficient stability and firmness to avoid getting lost in thoughts that commonly arise after the awareness. For example, when something arises in the mind, it is ultimate reality. After that, a thought based on conventional reality arises, labeling this mental state as liking, for example. This formulation cannot be avoided, because the mind’s nature is to think and recollect. Therefore, we must not try to prevent or refuse the thinking process based on conventional reality from happening. Just be aware of it but do not get lost in the thinking process. Continue to be mindful of phenomena of mind that arises, such as liking in this case. Only through observation will we be able to see the three characteristics of existence of that condition.
Luangpor Pramote Pamojjo, The Path to Enlightenment I
This website is a collection of Dhamma materials conveyed by the venerable Luangpor Pramote Pamojjo, a master teacher of mindfulness for the modern world and Vipassana meditation. His teachings are published and distributed as free gifts of Dhamma, with the intention of preserving the Teachings of the Lord Buddha for generations to come. With permission from Luangpor Pramote, the English content of this web site has been translated from his teaching in Thai by different people. Please bear in mind that despite our efforts there can be errors and misinterpretation by translators.
The mind spins through all six sense doors. Trying to track each one—“Now the mind is seeing form”—you can’t keep up. It sees for a flash, then it’s hearing sound. The mind is too fast for that. So adjust the method. When the eye sees something, notice the change in the heart. You see a beautiful flower—delight arises. Know that delight. This one mind knows it. You hear a bird ...
Read MoreOnce the mind is stable and equanimous, wisdom arises, seeing the truth of the body and the mind. When we clearly see the truth of the body and the mind, we will realize that the five aggregates (khandhas) are nothing but suffering. There’s nothing in the body and mind, in form and mental phenomena, but suffering. Once the mind accepts this truth, craving doesn't arise. When craving doesn’t arise, there ...
Read MoreTo live in the world, one must know it, one must understand it. If we live in the world with a peaceful mind, content with our circumstances, then when we take up moral precepts and meditation, there will be no worry. Some are in debt from soccer betting, with loan sharks threatening their lives. They flee to practice in monasteries, hiding within the grounds. Can their minds be at peace? ...
Read MoreIn practice, the mind must have an object to meditate on. If the mind has no object, it will wander. No matter what stage of practice one is in, the mind must have an object to dwell on. Not only us ordinary people, but even the arahants, they still cultivate the four foundations of mindfulness as their meditation object, using body, feelings, mind, and dhamma to give the mind a ...
Read MoreThis is essential; without it, we cannot preserve Buddhism. Some worry other religions will destroy Buddhism, but the Buddha taught otherwise. He said that Buddhism could only be undermined by the Buddhist community itself—the male monks, female monks, laymen, and laywomen. They are capable of undermining Buddhism by failing to truly understand Dhamma and by holding and spreading misguided beliefs. When people misunderstand, misrepresent, or misteach Dhamma, it causes serious ...
Read MoreStart practicing. You can start by observing the body, feelings, or mental fabrications. Eventually, everyone’s practice converges to seeing dependent origination, which is the Noble Truths. This is because without thoroughly knowing the Noble Truths, the practice is still not complete; the apprentice still doesn’t thoroughly know suffering. So, you can start by observing the body, and then you will see suffering. You can accomplish the same thing by observing ...
Read MoreDhamma (Pali) or Dharma (Sanskrit) means the plain, undistorted truth that the Buddha taught. Dhamma as taught by the Buddha is simple and easy to practice. It is about ourselves and how we can be free from personal suffering. As suffering beings we are deluded about the truths of our body and mind. However, if we practice the Dhamma, we turn our attention to our body and our mind and unveil their true characteristics. Our suffering lessens as we gradually come to understand the Dhamma more and more.
“… When we become aware of our body and mind and accept the truth of them, that they are impermanent, do not persist and are beyond control, then we will be liberated and abide in the greatest happiness.”
Luangpor Pramote Pamojjo
