Prepare for death as a wise one does
Regardless of whether life is good or bad, in the end, we are in this world temporarily. Whether we depart with possessions, or having to wait and receive the merit from others, all results from our actions.
Bite-Sized Dhamma
Understand suffering thoroughly to end desire
The five aggregates are not us, but also that they’re suffering. They suffer because they’re impermanent, under pressure to break down, and uncontrollable. This is seeing suffering according to the noble truth, not general suffering. The one who sees suffering according to the noble truth clearly is the arahant. As they see suffering clearly, Samudaya is extinguished and Nirodha (Nirvana) immediately appears when there’s no desire (taṇhā). Desire is extinguished when the mind understands suffering clearly. When there’s no desire, the mind reaches Nirvana. It’s the moment of noble path. Nirvana is the state without desire.
Raising the level of happiness
Today seems strange. You sit and wait for me in somewhat peaceful manner. On most Saturdays, there’s usually a lot of mental distraction – mostly planning where to go after the sermon ends. But on Sundays, there isn’t as much mental distraction. After the sermon, you hurry home. People are all running after happiness. Throughout …
Law of Kamma
The world has always been chaotic, even at the international level. There really has never been peace. Problems are a part of the world. Currently, conflicts are everywhere; this is normal. There are conflicts among politicians, government officials, teachers, police forces, and even monks; this is normal. When you hear the news, take care of …
Be mindful of the mental formations
In our practice, we must remain mindful of mental formations. Our minds are in constant fabrication, concocting happiness, suffering, good, and evil. If we are not mindful, mental formations will overpower our minds. When they concoct happiness, we get lost in enjoyment. When they concoct suffering, we become anxious and sad. When they concoct wholesomeness, …
Rules of Dhamma Practice
At the moment, there’s a Chinese course with over 100 Chinese people attending. Learning Dhamma feels like when you cannot see the wood for the trees. Sometimes it feels really difficult, but in reality, it’s just so basic. It’s all just a simple thing, yet many people have to practice diligently. Back when I studied …
Observing Phenomena
Observing Phenomena Watching all of you seated both inside and outside this room, including those joining us on Zoom, I notice a shared condition, where you are engrossed in fabrication. You cannot tell that your minds constantly engage in fabrication in various ways. When you yearn for the good, you fabricate tranquility, manipulating the mind …
From Composites to Non-Composite
There’s a candlelight procession yesterday. There were many people. The procession took an hour and a half. We’ll move this ceremony to the church once it’s finished. The procession will take less time there. Many people here are Chinese. I feel for them. They sought Dhamma and took a long trip to get here. Some …
Method to free the mind from influx
It’s strange that we prefer to walk around the temple with a candle rather than listen to the Dhamma. There were fewer people this the morning. Merits are our supports. The journey in the cycle of death and rebirth is long. All merits are our supports, making the journey convenient and comfortable. Without merits to …
Check your own mind
Makha Bucha day (Māgha Pūjā) is the day when the Buddha laid down strategy for propagation of the Dhamma; what is the principal of propagation, what to propagate, the conducts of the propogators, what kind of Dhamma should be taught. Those of us who work with spreading the Dhama can look into this. It is …