LIVING WITH THE COBRA

Bodhinyāna

A Collection of Dhamma Talks by
The Venerable Ajahn Chah
(Phra Bodhinyāna Thera)

Translation from Thai into English
by
The Sangha, Bung Wai Forest Monastery, Thailand

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LIVING WITH THE COBRA

(A brief talk given as final instruction to an elderly Englishwoman who spent two months under the guidance of Ajahn Chah at the end of 1978 and beginning of 1979.)

This short talk is for the benefit of a new disciple who will soon be returning to London. May it serve to help you understand the Teaching that you have studied here at Wat Pah Pong. Most simply, this is the practice to be free of suffering in the cycle of birth and death.

In order to do this practice, remember to regard all the various activities of mind, all those you like and all those you dislike, in the same way as you would regard a cobra. The cobra is an extremely poisonous snake, poisonous enough to cause death if it should bite us. And so, also, it is with our moods: the moods that we like are poisonous, the moods that we dislike are also poisonous. They prevent our minds from being free and hinder our understanding of the Truth as it was taught by the Buddha.

Thus it is necessary to try to maintain our mindfulness throughout the day and night. Whatever you may be doing, be it standing, sitting, lying down, speaking or whatever, you should do with mindfulness. When you are able to establish this mindfulness, you'll find that there will arise clear comprehension associated with it, and these two conditions will bring about wisdom. Thus mindfulness, clear comprehension and wisdom will work together, and you'll be like one who is awake both day and night.

These Teachings left us by the Buddha are not Teachings to be just listened to, or simply absorbed on an intellectual level. They are Teachings that through practice can be made to arise and known in our hearts. Wherever we go, whatever we do, we should have these Teachings. And what we mean by "to have these Teachings" or "to have the Truth", is that, whatever we do or say, we do and say with wisdom. When we think and contemplate, we do so with wisdom.

We say that one who has mindfulness and clear comprehension combined in this way with wisdom, is one who is close to the Buddha.

When you leave here, you should practise bringing everything back to your own mind. Look at your mind with this mindfulness and clear comprehension and develop this wisdom. With these three conditions there will arise a "letting go". You'll know the constant arising and passing away of all phenomena.

You should know that that which is arising and passing away is only the activity of mind. When something arises, it passes away and is followed by further arising and passing away.

In the Way of Dhamma we call this arising and passing away "birth and death"; and this is everything -- this is all there is! When suffering has arisen, it passes away, and, when it has passed away, suffering arises again [*]. There's just suffering arising and passing away. When you see this much, you'll be able to know constantly this arising and passing away; and, when your knowing is constant, you'll see that this is really all there is. Everything is just birth and death. It's not as if there is anything which carries on. There's just this arising and passing away as it is --that's all.

[*] Suffering in this context refers to the implicit unsatisfactoriness of all compounded existence as distinct from suffering as merely the opposite of happiness.

This kind of seeing will give rise to a tranquil feeling of dispassion towards the world. Such a feeling arises when we see that actually there is nothing worth wanting; there is only arising and passing away, a being born followed by a dying. This is when the mind arrives at "letting go", letting everything go according to its own nature. Things arise and pass away in our mind, and we know. When happiness arises, we know; when dissatisfaction arises, we know. And this "knowing happiness" means that we don't identify with it as being ours . And likewise with dissatisfaction and unhappiness, we don't identify with them as being ours . When we no longer identify with and cling to happiness and suffering, we are simply left with the natural way of things.

So we say that mental activity is like the deadly poisonous cobra. If we don't interfere with a cobra, it simply goes its own way. Even though it may be extremely poisonous, we are not affected by it; we don't go near it or take hold of it, and it doesn't bite us. The cobra does what is natural for a cobra to do. That's the way it is. If you are clever you'll leave it alone. And so you let be that which is good. You also let be that which is not good -- let it be according to its own nature. Let be your liking and your disliking, the same way as you don't interfere with the cobra.

So, one who is intelligent will have this kind of attitude towards the various moods that arise in the mind. When goodness arises, we let it be good, but we know also. We understand its nature. And, too, we let be the not-good, we let it be according to its nature. We don't take hold of it because we don't want anything. We don't want evil, neither do we want good. We want neither heaviness nor lightness, happiness nor suffering. When, in this way, our wanting is at an end, peace is firmly established.

When we have this kind of peace established in our minds, we can depend on it. This peace, we say, has arisen out of confusion. Confusion has ended. The Buddha called the attainment of final Enlightenment an "extinguishing", in the same way that fire is extinguished. We extinguish fire at the place at which it appears. Wherever it is hot, that's where we can make it cool. And so it is with Enlightenment. Nibb�na is found in Sams�ra [*]. Enlightenment and delusion (Sams�ra) exist in the same place, just as do hot and cold. It's hot where it was cold and cold where it was hot. When heat arises, the coolness disappears, and when there is coolness, there's no more heat. In this way Nibb�na and Sams�ra are the same.

[*] Sams�ra: lit. perpetual wandering, is a name by which is designated the sea of life ever restlessly heaving up and down, the symbol of this continuous process of ever again and again being born, growing old, suffering and dying.

We are told to put an end to Sams�ra, which means to stop the ever-turning cycle of confusion. This putting an end to confusion is extinguishing the fire. When external fire is extinguished there is coolness. When the internal fires of sensual craving, aversion and delusion are put out, then this is coolness also.

This is the nature of Enlightenment; it's the extinguishing of fire, the cooling of that which was hot. This is peace. This is the end of Sams�ra, the cycle of birth and death. When you arrive at Enlightenment, this is how it is. It's an ending of the ever-turning and ever-changing, an ending of greed, aversion and delusion in our minds. We talk about it in terms of happiness because this is how worldly people understand the ideal to be, but in reality it has gone beyond. It is beyond both happiness and suffering. It's perfect peace.

* * *

So as you go you should take this Teaching which I have given you and contemplate it carefully. Your stay here hasn't been easy and I have had little opportunity to give you instruction, but in this time you have been able to study the real meaning of our practice. May this practice lead you to happiness; may it help you grow in Truth. May you be freed from the suffering of birth and death.

Source here

25 Quotes From Buddha That Will Change Your Life

1) “However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them?”

2) “The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart.”

3) “A jug fills drop by drop.”

4) “Every human being is the author of his own health or disease.”

5) “To understand everything is to forgive everything”

6) “Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.”

7) “Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill.”

8) “No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.”

9) “In a controversy the instant we feel anger we have already ceased striving for the truth, and have begun striving for ourselves.”

10) “In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then believe them to be true.”

11) “Those who are free of resentful thoughts surely find peace.”

12) “Hatred does not cease through hatred at any time. Hatred ceases through love. This is an unalterable law.”

13) “There has to be evil so that good can prove its purity above it.”

14) “It is easy to see the faults of others, but difficult to see once own faults. One shows the faults of others like chaff winnowed in the wind, but one conceals one’s own faults as a cunning gambler conceals his dice.”

15) “I never see what has been done; I only see what remains to be done.”

16) “The mind is everything. What you think you become.”

17) “Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue.”

18) “We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.”

19) “Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others.”

20) “Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn’t learn a little, at least we didn’t get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn’t die; so, let us all be thankful.”

 

21) “You cannot travel the path until you have become the path itself”

22) “You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger.”

23) “To conquer oneself is a greater task than conquering others”

24)  “Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.”

25) “Have compassion for all beings, rich and poor alike; each has their suffering. Some suffer too much, others too little.”

Let’s keep these words alive.

Source here

1) “However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them?”

2) “The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart.”

3) “A jug fills drop by drop.”

4) “Every human being is the author of his own health or disease.”

5) “To understand everything is to forgive everything”

6) “Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.”

7) “Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill.”

8) “No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.”

9) “In a controversy the instant we feel anger we have already ceased striving for the truth, and have begun striving for ourselves.”

10) “In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then believe them to be true.”

- See more at: http://www.spiritscienceandmetaphysics.com/25-quotes-from-buddha-that-will-change-your-life/#sthash.wq25RYZD.dpuf

8 Buddha Quotes That Will Put Your Heart At Ease

“The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart.”

“Every human being is the author of his own health or disease.”

“No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.”

 “In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then believe them to be true.” “There has to be evil so that good can prove its purity above it.”

“It is easy to see the faults of others, but difficult to see once own faults. One shows the faults of others like chaff winnowed in the wind, but one conceals one’s own faults as a cunning gambler conceals his dice.”

“We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.”

“Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others.”

Source here

12 Results of bad deeds

One day, Buddha disclosed to his bhikkus the 12 results of bad deeds he had done in his previous births for which he had to suffer in this birth. According to ‘Pubba Kamma Pilothika apadaana’ they are as follows:

1. The accusations the Buddha got for frequenting the female ascetic Sundaree’s temple. ( In a previous birth, Buddha had accused the Pase Buddha named Sarangu.)

2. The scandal because of Chinchimaanawika who impersonated herself as a pregnant woman(This is due to calling the disciple Nanada of the Buddha Sabbahingu, an epicure, in one of Buddha’s births.)

3. The accusation, that Buddha raped and killed the female ascetic Sundaree and buried her body near a flower altar was widely talked about for seven days. After seven days, the truth came out. (This happened because of scolding Saint Bheema in one of his previous births.)

4. Bikkhu Devdath pushed a huge rock on the Buddha. (This is because in a previous birth, Buddha killed his own brother with greed for wealth by pushing him down a mountain and plunging a huge rock after him.)

5. Bikkhu Devdath tried to kill Buddha by hiring archers.( This is because in a previous birth, as a child, Buddha had thrown a stone at a Pase Buddha.)

6. Intoxicated elephant named Nalagiri was sent to kill Buddha. (This is because in a previous birth, Buddha as a mahout, led his elephant towards a Pase Buddha who was walking nearby with the intention of killing him.)

7. Bhikku Devdath, pushed a huge rock from the immense ‘Gijjakuta’ on Buddha,who was walking at the foot of it. Because of Buddha’s power, another big rock sprang up and stopped it. But, in the process, a small piece of rock hit Buddha’s toe and injured it. The Doctor had to split the toe and remove the bad blood. (This is because in a previous birth, Buddha had ordered a man to be killed, as king Pruthuvishwara.)

8. Buddha suffered from a constant headache.( This is because in a previous birth, Buddha born into the fishing clan, laughed happily when he saw the large amount of fish his kin had captured.)

9. Buddha, who had disciples, followers and contributors in all three worlds had to survive on barley since he didn’t get a grain of rice during his 12th ‘Vas’ season.( This is because in a previous birth, Buddha had accused Buddha named ‘Pussa’ for eating tasteful rice asking him to eat barley instead.)

10. Buddha suffered from a constant spinal problem.(This is because in a previous birth, as a wrestling giant, Buddha had broken the spine of his opponent.)

11. Buddha suffered from acute diarrhea.( This is because in a previous birth, as a doctor, Buddha had cured a noble; when he didn’t get his fee, Buddha had given the noble an aperient which caused the noble to purge blood. The noble got scared and paid him; in return, Buddha cured him again.

12.Prince Siddhartha had to suffer immensely for six years before attaining Nirvana.( This is because in a previous birth, As the layman Jothipala, had talked against Kashyapa Buddha with a Brahmin named Ghatikara.)

Source here

Message from The Gyalwang Karmapa Concerning the Recent Earthquake

Today, in the morning of the 25th of April, in Nepal, the land where Lord Buddha was born, there occurred a devastating earthquake. Many thousands of people have been killed or injured, and historic buildings and private homes have been turned into ruins. As soon as I learned of this painful and distressing situation, I made my deepest aspiration prayers and dedications for all the people affected, and continue to do so. Especially at times when we are faced with such a desperate situation, we cannot sit idle, unfeelingly. We must join forces and carry the burden of sorrow together. It is important that each one of us light the lamp of courage. Additionally, it is important that each of the Karma Kagyu monasteries in Nepal, while looking after their own pressing needs for immediate protection, also extend any and all aid and protection they can to the public in their surrounding communities. From my own side, I will make every effort to come personally in the near future to offer my solace and support as well.

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DO NOT GIVE MONEY TO FACEBOOK *Campaigns* by individuals with nice names such as *Help Nepal*. . Most of that collected money ends up in the persons own pocket, NOT in Nepal.

So, give money where it goes to the right place:

Nepal Red Cross

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Save the Children - Nepal Children's Emergency Relief Fund
\
The U.S. Fund for UNICEF

MercyCorps Nepal Earthquake Response fund

CARE Emergency Relief

Oxfam Great Britain - Nepal Earthquake Response

Handicap International

Global Giving - Nepal Earthquake Relief Fund

Earthquake survivors need you now 

The Buddha in mud

Once there was a thief. One day he was found while he was breaking into a house. Off he ran as fast as he could, until he reached a dam. He jumped to the bank of the dam, fearful of the people in hot pursuit after him. Looking around, there was no bush to hide in, so he just sat down on a clump of weeds full of mud. Petrified with fear of being caught, he dared not move, just sat motionless with his eyes closed. The pursuers were startled when they found a muddy man sitting motionless. They asked themselves: “Who is this man?” One of them thought this man looked like someone in meditation, so he told the others: “He’s a monk in meditation!” Everybody became respectful, they bowed to him and asked: “Master, we are sorry to bother you, but did you see a man running by earlier? We are looking for a thief.” The thief reply: “Oh no... I did not notice anything…” So they left, but came back after a while. The thief was still sitting there, because he did not know where to go. Thinking this is a kind of profound meditating practice, the pursuers were full of respect. They asked him to become the monk of the village’s temple, which until now had been without any residing monk. Being in such a situation, the thief had no other choice than to accept it. 

Although living in the temple, a thief was always a thief. He soon thought of stealing the valuable things in the temple and take off when there was a chance.

That morning, he went into the main shrine, removed all the valuable statues, worshipping appliances etc... stuffed them into a bag and got ready to go. Suddenly there came a crying believer, because a member of his family just passed away last night. The believer asked him to go to his house to pray for the dead. The thief hastily put down his bag, acting as though he was just dusting and cleaning the appliances. He comforted the believer, took his name on a piece of paper, then promised to go there to pray. Sighing disappointingly for his foiled plan, he put back all the stolen things and set out to the believer’s house. Before that, he was careful to bring along one of the prayer book that he found in the shrine.

And so the days went by, he stayed in the temple waiting for the good time to leave. But he never had the chance. Believers kept coming, asking questions, or inviting him to their house for funeral prayers, and to be able to serve them he had to read and learn the sutras. Soon he began to practice meditation, chanting the Buddha’s name to relieve himself of his worries and stress. The old thief who was forced to become a monk now had to learn to live the life of a monk, and unexpectedly, this simple life gradually brought peace to him.

A year passed by. His daily schedule now was like the schedule of a real practitioner. He worked all day, cleaning, growing the vegetables, practicing meditation and chanting the sutras every morning and night. He partook in the joy, the sadness of the peasants in the village, shared with them the products that he grew by himself. Looking back at his previous life, he was horrified. How can he think of stealing from these poor, hard working people! He was ashamed of himself. From now on, he would make time to repent for his past sins. 

Henceforth, he was transformed from a thief to a real practitioner. All traces of his past life were now erased. He became a new person, a person of goodness and a spiritual support for the people of the village.

 (Collected)

33 People Who Prove The World Isn’t Such A Broken Place After All

1. This generous tipper:

 

 

2. This hero, who just did the right thing:

 

3. This stranger, whose pay-it-forward scheme might just catch on:

 

 

 

4. This grocery store employee, who knows a simple thing like tying someone’s shoes can make their whole day:

 

 

5. This pet-lover:

 

6. This team of paramedics, who didn’t just stop at saving an the man’s life:

 

 

7. This exotic car forum, who banded together to help a disabled kid live his dream… over, and over again:

 

 

8. This sports team, who let a kid with a congenital heart defect live his dream:

 

 

9. This animal lover, who knows the power of one good night of sleep:

 

10. This guy, who cleared his conscience after 13 years:

 

 

 

11. These folks, who just want to return an expensive phone to its rightful owner:

 

 

12. This good samaritan:

 13. This animal hospital, who truly knows how significant a pet can be to a person:

 

 

14. Dan:

15. This mailman, who knows the importance of getting something other than junk mail every once in a while:

16. And they say kids these days have no morals:

 

 

17. This loving launderer, who put off their load to make sure a stranger’s was dry:

 

 

18. This kind soul:

 

 

19. This firefighter, who heroically rescued what was clearly “more than just a pet”:

 

 

 

20. This lady, who unknowingly demonstrated that kindness begets kindness:

 

 

21. This guy, who gave a kid the world for a brief moment in time:

 

 

22. This guy, who probably missed his train to help this lady with her bags:

 

23. This “citizen of the Earth”:

 

 

24. This dry cleaner, who believes everyone should look their best when trying to get a job:

 

 

25. This team, who in a display of utter sportsmanship helped an injured opponent score:

 

 

26. This samaritan, who helped a stranger get where they were going:

 

 

27. This crowd, who figured the fan in the wheelchair deserved to see the show just as much as anyone else there:

 

 

28.Rugby player Brian O’Driscoll, who visited his biggest little fan in the hospital:

 

 

29. This officer, who handcuffed himself to a suicidal woman so she knew she wouldn’t go alone:

 

 

30. This barber, who offers haircuts at the cost of one hug each:

 

 

 

31. This biker, who held up traffic to help an older lady cross the street:

 

 

 

32. This guy, who saw a person in need and realized he could help:

See Source here