Bite-Sized Dhamma

We’ve been in the Cycle of Birth and Death for so long and came across many different Lords Buddhas, because of this fluctuating nature. If we don’t fight, then we keep allowing those defilements to drag ourselves along by our desires. We must fight and endure hardships first, then we can find comfort later. I can tell you from experience, once you keep practicing, the results are immense. It is a happiness like no other, a happiness that arises from within. It’s not just calmness but a deep inner peace. The mind becomes naturally tranquil, and within that tranquility, happiness overflows while the mind is not addicted to it. If the mind is content, it means it hasn’t attained the ultimate goal yet. It still needs more practice. There’s no free lunch. Dhamma operates under the law of karma. Whatever effort we put in, that’s the result we’ll get. There are no shortcuts.

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.

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, …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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