Take the Long Way If you take the long way, the Buddha’s
word will not be in vain. Take the long way as long as you can. Take long to practise the Dhamma.
Take the Long-term ViewWorking for the good of the present without having any regard for the future existences is not wise or just. If you take the long-term view, and work for your good in the round of rebirths, the short-term benefit of the present life will be included in the long-term benefit. You should look to both the present and the future. If you cannot visualise the future that is invisible, you are blind in one eye. It is necessary
to acquire knowledge.
Taking PridePeople take pride in what they did when young. If they cannot take such pride, they take pride on being elderly.
Term of Encouragement
Kamma is just a term of encouragement. If you do good, good will result; if you do bad, bad will result.
The Best Person in the WorldI anyone asked me “Who is
the greatest person in the world?” I would say, “The Buddha. ”
The Hook is BaitedIf you are obsessed by sensual pleasures, you will suffer like a fish that has swallowed the angler’s hook.
The Key PositionHuman existence is the key position; you can work for moral purity to achieve celestial existences and even nibbāna.
They Do Not KnowBeing a monk is like mining precious metals with food and clothing provided. You will get precious metals if you dig for them, but the stags who do not know the value of gems only hanker after grass.
Think Seriously About DeathNow think about this. Death comes to the old and young alike, so what shall we do? Think about this seriously.
This Useless WorldIn this useless world, where there are only useless people living useless
lives, do you think there will be any improvement without reason. If there is any good in the world, it is due to good morals without which nothing good can possibly result.
This World of CravingThis world began with craving and you have always been led by craving.
If you subtract craving from life, you will no longer find life worth living.
To Be Outstanding If you want to stand out from the common people, do not do what they are doing. Truly good people still exist in the world. They are noble, intelligent, and courageous.
Tranquillity MeditationIf you practise tranquillity meditation (samatha), you will attain stability of mind. Only
when the mind is stable can you get rid of desires and passions. One can acquire a stable mind not only through meditation, but also by religious education and secular pursuits.
Treat the Dhamma With CareIn practising the Dhamma, you must treat the Dhamma with care. Otherwise, you will be like the ladle that has contact with soup, but does not know its taste. Cemetery workers have daily contact with dead bodies; doctors have to deal with human anatomy, but they do not gain a deep conviction of the Dhamma.
True Love
However much parents say that they love their children, they do not really love them if they fail to give them a good education. If they neglect their children’s health, their love is not genuine.
Two Kinds of Well-BeingOf the two kinds of well-being, mental well-being is preferable to material well-being. Mental happiness that is mixed with desire should be shunned. Misery always dogs the steps of people seeking such happiness. That is not real happiness, it is just misery in disguise.
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