Ajahn Lee Dhammadharo, The Path to Peace and Freedom for the Mind, translated from Thai by Ven. Thanissaro (Geoffrey DeGraff) edited by Ashley Wells, Dhr. Seven, Wisdom Quarterly
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the Seattle skyline preceded by skydivers (iheart.com).
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The Path to Peace and Freedom for the Mind
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Well being in terms of the world includes fortune, status, praise, and pleasure. These four things depend on our conducting ourselves properly along the right path.
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The fact that we experience these things may well be due to deficiencies in our conduct. So if our practice of the right path -- the Noble Eightfold Path -- is to lead us to peace in the world and the Dharma, we will first have to study it so that we understand it rightly then conduct ourselves in line with its factors.
Thereafter, if we have aims in the world, we will get good results. Our fortune, status, good name, and pleasure will be solid and lasting. Even after we pass away, they will continue to appear in the world.
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We are then sure to meet with results that parallel those of the world. For example, four supermundane paths of can be won for status:
- stream-entry
- once-returning
- non-returning
- full-enlightenment.
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These kinds of status and fortune are free of deterioration; they stay always. At the same time, we will receive praise and pleasure in full measure, inasmuch as Buddhists chant in praise virtually every night and day because "The followers of the Blessed One conduct themselves well, conduct themselves rightly, conduct themselves for the sake of wisdom, conduct themselves masterfully."
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It is like gold: No matter where, every land and nation, it may fall, it remains gold by its intrinsic nature and is bound to be desired by people at large.
In the same way, the mental traits of people who follow the right path in terms of the Dharma are bound to give rise to genuine pleasure and ease, peace of mind and pleasure in the heart. Even when one passes from this world, fortune, status, good name, and pleasure in terms of the Dharma remains a constant companion.
So Buddhist practitioners who aim at progress and happiness wisely and compassionately study, ponder, and above all put into practice -- as far as they can -- all eight factors of the Noble Eight-limbed Path set out here as a guide to practice.
NOTE: There may be some mistakes in what is written here, because [Ajahn Lee Dhammadharo has] aimed more at the meaning and practice than at the letter of the sacred scriptures. So wherever there may be any deficiencies, offer forbearance. It is certain that whoever practices in line with guidelines given here is sure to meet to some extent with ease of body and mind in the world and the Dharma, in accordance with his or her own personal practice and ongoing conduct. May each and every one meet with progress and happiness.
There is a Path to Freedom! |
Phra Ajaan Lee Dhammadharo
Wat Boromnivas, Bangkok
August, 1955
Wat Boromnivas, Bangkok
August, 1955
All of the Buddha's teachings and the way to practice them can be summed up in a mere eight factors:
- I. Right View: seeing in line with the truth.
- II. Right Intention: thinking in ways that will lead to well-being.
- III. Right Speech: speaking in line with the truth.
- IV. Right Action: being upright in one's activities.
- V. Right Livelihood: maintaining oneself in ways that are honest and proper.
- VI. Right Effort: exerting oneself in line with what is good.
- VII. Right Mindfulness: being constantly mindful (vigilant, awake, aware) of one's subject of concentration, reflection/contemplation, or meditation.
- VIII. Right Concentration: keeping the mind balanced and centered in line with the principles of the truth, not letting it fall into the ways of Wrong Concentration. More
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