ISBN 974-86644-8-1

.ac + rs
.s c:ca+ susa us u a !a
os u.c r sra ao aa s !c. su ar+ ta +!s
+ :uc aa r+.
a+ar r oa .ra.ocs r t !rs :.:s::s
r as r : s c+ar .ss: +a.a s.::: .c r
r as r . a a+a .sss +a.a s.::: .c r
r as r s :ea+ar .sss +a.a s.::: .c r
r as r asa+ar .s: +a.a s.::: .c r
r as r s o+ar .s: +a.a s.::: .c r
r as r s ras+ar .s. +a.a s.::: .c r
r as r : r a a+a .s. +a.a :.::: .c r
r as r s :ea+ar .ss +a.a s.::: .c r
r as r r a a+a .ss +a.a s.::: .c r
r as r :: .re+a .ss. +a.a s.::: .c r
r as r :: o+ar .ss. +a.a s.::: .c r
All rights reserved
Stories and Picture by : Phra Prasong Paripunno
Computer by : Phra Somsak Gandhasilo, Phra Boonma Chantasaro
Translator : Jinny Tavee
First published 1987
Reprinted 1993, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2009
If youd like to have this book for your own or for free distribution, please contact
. ou +t a+!a
Natural Buddhist Meditation
Temple of Greater Chicago
8243 South Newland
Burbank Illinois 60459 U.S.A.
Tel: (708) 599-5920 Fax: (708)599-5241
E-mail : watpa@earthlink.net
Home Page Internet : http://home.earthlink/~watpa/
o+ar +ausa r:a.uasssrr+aos csca+soa c.c ra
!usososc
. ou+uc+ao /u +sssrc c+/ . ou+uc+ao /u +sssrc c+/ . ou+uc+ao /u +sssrc c+/ . ou+uc+ao /u +sssrc c+/ . ou+uc+ao /u +sssrc c+/
aaas saasa+a acc :
su+uc+ao ccas ae
aasa+a .s:.:
!rsa r !rsa r !rsa r !rsa r !rsa r :s::sss:: :s::sss:: :s::sss:: :s::sss:: :s::sss::
:ssssss.ss :ssssss.ss :ssssss.ss :ssssss.ss :ssssss.ss
1
a+a+
c+a a.+ro+r:o sssrr .s u +:cc a + o+a
s+c+ ur u s o ur u s tcu:ca+usacuc aa +s a+a+ r c+c
r +a.c r+ooa c.c ra r a aa +.uar :s oc+c +s c.a c
+os ua+s o raas a r ca s r r s+sssros ua.+r.rss++a
r +ao o raa+r+cr ca s +cas+u+cusa ar+ a r a
+c+cu aaa+sacra+sssr+aoa c.c ra uur u s
+cor +ausua.+r + a.+r.s a a.+r+.sat . s
sccou
r ca s r r s+sssr
:ea+ar .ss
Preface
This booklet would not have been completed without the strong
faith in Buddhism of both monks and laymen, especially the contri-
bution of Phra Prasong. He successfully gives an insight to Bud-
dhist principle through his graceful poetry and marvelous illustra-
tions easily understood by readers of all ages, the booklet is thus
worth publicizing over and over again. The Mudita Dhamma Foun-
dation would like to take this opportunity to extend heart felt thanks
to Phra Prasong, who kindly permit the foundation to publish the
booklet under its name.
May the merits gained by all readers who follow the Buddhist
principles in their daily lives bless them with happiness, advance-
ment and success in their lives forever.
Mudita Dhamma Foundation
May 2000
2
+su a
(Contents)
a+ar s os c(Contact address)................................................:
a+a+(Preface).......................................................................
+su a(Contents).................................................................s
. aor (Morning).................................................................s
as+us:uu rs.................................................................:
Buddha Statue.............................................................................
acr (Moon & Emotion).........................................................::
o. co (Giving)..................................................................:.
ocs (Contribution of Man) ...............................................:s
c +c r (Dont forget .....) .....................................................:
(The Truth)..................................................................:s
cro+ (Breathe)................................................................:s
(The Mind)............................................................................::
o s .o a .+ . + (Look, Know, See, Let go).........................:s
s (Understand)..........................................................................:
s (Look Inside ).................................................................:
s .r +r a (Be Alert)..........................................................................:
acaa (Inside-Outside ).............................................................
r!s(Buddho)........................................................................s
c+sra (Emotion)....................................................................
s (Mindfulness)......................................................................s
3
s (Awareness).........................................................................s
ao as+ (Joy & Anger).......................................................:
+ o (Observer)...............................................................................s
a.+ra o (Thought)...................................................................
:s (The Truth).................................................................s:
o (Attachment) ......................................................................s:
+ aa (Ties)................................................................................s.
a +a (Nirvana)................................................................ss
a.+ru (Peace).......................................................................s
a.+r + (Happiness)....................................................................ss
sac uc (Make up your mind).......................................ss
a+ ca o ca (Rest & Relax)...........................................s:
rs+u:c..uc a (Make changes)...........................................ss
r++(Illusion)..........................................................................s
.oo .o . (Goal).....................................................................:
u rurao. (Knots).........................................................:
ca ss+ (Let it go)...................................................................
.oas .:a o a. + .oa:a s .(Selfishness)...............................s
t a (I ) .....................................................................................
ur.caa.a ca (Song of the Uncivilized) ........................s
c o(The more you give, the more you receive).......s
a.+r+ a(Diligence)..............................................................:
a.+r +a.+rr a+ (Happiness & Suffering)......................s
4
+cua a+os usc r (Thank you for your smile)..............
a. +:c. (Let me tell you)......................................................s:
+ .a+ac.o . (A Pile of Ashes)...............................................s:
oa r a (Death is inescapable).............................................s.
+ (Ghost).......................................................................................ss
. o (Temple )...................................................................................s
:a (Fan).......................................................................................ss
. a (Serenity).........................................................................ss
u . (Lotus)........................................................................................s:
a.+rr usr+r(Mindfulnees)..............................................ss
:a.ra + u+(Priceless gem & Gnawing).................................s
+aoc a (Principal duty).........................................................s:
as as.a ( Speaking & Acting)..................................................s:
.ssaasa (Heaven & Hell)..................................................s.
a. +s (By the time we understand life)..................................ss
.aur a.r+r: (Why keep it...?)..........................................s
s a a u s+ ...............................................................................ss
Feet & Eyes......................................................................ss
r+r:......................................................................................s:
Why ?..............................................................................................s
a!rs (Na Mo Tha Sa)....................................................::
5
. aor
s aacar a.t+
a rass r!s.+
r+usr ur
r+ o a o cs
ous ae+s rsca
Morning
Every morning
when you rise
Invite Buddha*into
your heart.
In your*thoughts,
words, and actions
You may look to him
for guidance
+ s a + s + .u au+a
the awakened, the enlightened, the delighted
6
as+us:uu rs
.oas as+us as o
acr o a a o.oa+
t+. rs as+uo. u aa+
t . + as+uc + r+
.oas as+us as o
acr s+ru + +
o.:ocr u aa+ . c.
r a+ o uo r ar
o +a a ca.+r oa a:a a
r :c a s u. .s.s
as. + aso + r+s
r r !r!o . .+r
rcs + a cs+ s
r o+s a r +r
a ca+s o+s aa+r
+u+r :ca+s .u o.u a
7
.oas as+us r aas
s. c +as+u o. a
s ass r: r r .uc a
.s+ !c .s a .u au+a
a .r c a+. .r +a a
a a a cs a :+ +a
.rss+ as a+ sccoa+c
+s ss s. .rca a
as+uca rss u as o
s o+s ar a
acr.c+ a asssr ca as
.oc +a a r+. asa
a c a .o a.o a uoa
ocau . .a oo r aoa
a ca.+r us rs oc oa
r r . cua a .ca+r
!o susa. r+c
8
Buddha Statue
Every time you see a Buddha statue
Bow to him
Dont do it halfheartedly without knowing the
True meaning of why you are bowing to him.
Followers of Buddha bow with full awareness.
They know with their hearts why they must bow.
Every time you see a Buddha statue
Bow to him.
Feel the true meaning of what you are doing.
Your mind will be quick to extinguish suffering.
Those who are blessed with long ear lobes
Have strong and stable spirit.
They will have no ear for gossip.
Those who criticize them
Those who scold them
Those who challenge them
Will fall silent upon their ears, causing them no pain.
Look down with your minds eye into a place
where you should never fall.
Look down into the pit of Depravity
Revenge
Temptation
9
Every time you see a Buddha statue
Bow to him.
Be careful to bow in a proper manner.
The smile on the Buddha statue will never change
For inside there is Nothingness.
The fingers on his hand are all of equal length
Symbolizing the equal distribution of his love for mankind.
Kindness and forgiveness forever
Sympathy for every living creature.
Every time you see a Buddha statue
Bow to him.
Bow wholeheartedly,
Let good thoughts and good deeds enter your heart.
You can sit and stand and walk from place to place
Like the lotus which can grow anywhere.
It is purity and enlightenment.
Free of contamination.
10
Moon & Emotion
When you stare off into space or
Stare up at the moon
Daydreaming
Return to Yourself and
See how your emotions have moved
inside of you.
acr
.or crc
c ars
.c+ a
s +u
.oc .rc
c
.oaa.+r
.ac cao.
+cc+sra
11
Giving
Give for the sake of giving
All throughout your days.
Up until your last breath
Dont cease your giving ways.
o
o. co
oas+
:rc+
:c.a o
12
ocs
saro a.+rs rs a :a r at . s
aas .a o o. .c ac cr!caoc +
ocar a c oa.+r t au+as+
:rsaoa+ a o cca .a
:c .s ..s+ .a or+ a!caa
r+ o cs o !ca.o a
a aa+r.a ss .r +a aos c r r+.u a
r o .o a a. +usso+ saoa+.c
Contribution of Man
Trees give shade to every living creature.
Birds make music for the world to hear.
Flowers bring beauty to the eyes of the beholder
And grass gives oxygen, so clean and clear.
Since the birth of mankind
What have we contributed?
Corruption, Greed, Depravity
Is that all we can give?
It cannot even compare to a blade of grass.
13
c +c r
.r ct+s
s +a+
c +c r
t+sc +
.r coc+o+s
r+a+
c +c r
oc+o+sr+
.r ca ae+
r+s +a+
c +c r
a ae+r+ s
.r cr+ s +-a+aca
c +c r
r+a.+rs as .a+a
Dont forget..
When you clean
your body
Dont forget to clean
your mind.
When you feed
your body
Dont forget to feed
your mind.
When you study
about the world
Dont forget to study
your mind.
In every endeavor
that you undertake
Be mindful
Know yourself.
14

.s+c roc. sa
.s+rcr rc
.s+c .oa c. sa
.r crcrc a
The Truth
We value all materials
Because we cannot see the truth.
But we can live above it all
If we understand the true nature of things.
15
cro+
a.+r! c +ro as
a ca+suc ccrus+a
r u.uc +-s -
us.s ro+a+c
a ccrus+a+c.s+
o+ccao+.+ +
r s .++s .s cu
Breathe
In complete ignorance
We take our breathing
for granted.
Letting each breath go
without a single thought.
But every breath
we take is priceless.
Each inspiration
and expiration
Should be filled with the
utmost concentration.
16

r r cs a +o .r +
o aca .o a aca
o a .o a a
o .o a sssr
a ra soa c r .s+
The Mind
There is nothing more
fascinating
Than that which lies within
your own mind.
Look at the world
And you will see the world.
Look within yourself
And you will see what is
inside you.
Look in your mind
And you will see Dhamma.
True knowledge lies within
your own mind.
17
o s .oa .+ . +
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s
.oa .oa .oa .oa .oa .oa .oa .oa
.+ .+ .+ .+ .+ .+ .+ .+ .+
. + . + . + . + . + . + . + . + . +
r ac +.uar++
Look, Know, See & Let go
Look.
Know.
See.
Let it all go.
Nothingness.
It is all an illusion.
18
s
o o s
r+o.oa
:c..aa+a
o r s
r+r .oa
a.uar a+sccou
Understand
Look to understand.
See what you have done
And you will be at peace inside.
If you look without understanding
Act without seeing
You will always suffer.
19
s
o sa s
s sa s
.o a sa s
. aa ra+a
o a
s a
.oaa
. +.u au+a
Look Inside
Look inside yourself.
Know what is inside yourself.
Understand what is inside yourself.
Serenity lies within you.
Look inside yourself.
Know what is inside yourself.
Understand what is inside yourself.
It is Nothingness, Illumination, and Bliss that lie within.
20
s .r +r a
s .r +.c+.a a
s r a.c+.:a
s o:a -
sca a sc:a
r
s cs
ar
s . tt+
s s ae+
sco
.uacoo
Be Alert
Always be alert
so that you can
prevent things.
Know ahead of time so that
you can take care of things.
You have to be able to
prevent things and take
care of them.
Nothing can
compare with
true wisdom.
You must take care of your
mind and prevent things
from happening to it.
21
acaa
s acauccoa s ar r a+
r s r s
s a+aca s a+a
.s++cuca s usco
uccoa r r a+.c
Inside-Outside
Have mindfulness within
Know the outside world.
I am here to tell you
You will be saved.
Have mindfulness within
Know what is inside you.
I guarantee you
You will not have suffering.
22
r!s
c+ao a.+rs
a o a+a
c+ao u aa+
a .u os+
.c+ r!saca
uc c s!sa
.r c s!s.a o:c .
r r!su
Buddho
If you desire knowledge
You must look within.
If you desire wisdom
Open your minds eye.
Bring the spoken word, Buddho inside of you.
Let its meaning become a part of your being
And your need for the spoken word will disappear.
23
c+sra
c +oc.+ +uac+sra
.r casruc+sra r oar+
uc c s.u aac+-
ts :ss . .u+-
r s :ss :cuc c.+a.+ra o sccot . sr r r a+
Emotion
Dont get lost in your emotions.
When you perceive the world through your senses
Let it go
Follow the Middle Way.
Be mindful and you will find true knowledge
Let go of your thoughts and you will let go of suffering forever.
24
s
r s +aasru
u.aa+a
++os +aasru
usur a+.s cu
Mindfulness
Have mindfulness in everything that you do
And you will have serenity within.
Without mindfulness
There is only suffering.
25
s
.r c soc a o s o r s
ocas aa o a o s o .c+.
.r c s.+cc a o s o .+ +u
+c or + r :s s a r r
Awareness
When your thoughts begin to flow
Be aware of them.
If you lose yourself in your thoughts
Know this, too.
When your thoughts escape your attention
Be mindful of it all.
In the end, there is knowledge
And nothing more.
26
ao as +
ao .or caa asu :a r +
as + .or caa asu :ar+.+
r c+aa asu r +.+ r +
a .+ .u a c .ua++
Joy & Anger
Joy is a slap on the right cheek.
Anger is a slap on the left cheek.
If you do not desire a slap on either cheek
Put down your emotions and be at peace with yourself.
27
+ o
a os a os
.ua+ o
c +.ua+ :o
+ s . :s o
+ .+c+.++u:o
Observer
Know your thoughts.
Observe life.
Dont get tangled up in it.
The wise will merely observe
While the ignorant act out their love, sadness, and rage.
28
a.+ra o
a o caa o a or+ar+ a . a
a oorar a as aa o sa orc
a o cac+sra .r+a.+ra o sc+c
a or + c r s oa o su+
Thought
Thought after thought
So many thoughts
The mind becomes confused.
The thoughts are relentless
They keep coming and coming
The mind becomes heavy.
Emotions invite even more thoughts
The thoughts are intoxicating
The mind becomes dizzy.
Leave those thoughts alone
No attachments
The mind is at peace.
29
:s
.s+c+as s
.s+c+as :
.s+c+a.o as
.s+c+a.o a:
.s+c+a.+ +s
.s+c+a.+ +:
.s+r c+a.u ar a+ s -
:c .r+r :
.s+ r s ur+o :
The Truth
If ...
We want to know the truth
We want to know pure knowledge
We want to see the truth
We want to see pure knowledge
We want to understand the truth
We want to understand pure knowledge
We dont want to suffer
Then why dont we hurry to the path of enlightenment.
30
o
.r c.+a .r c o
a . u a r a+
r .+a r o
r . u r r a+
ooa
r a+ oa
o u
r a+ u
os c
r a+ s c
r o.c
r r a+ .c
Attachment
If you hit yourself you feel pain.
If you dont hit yourself
there is no pain.
When you hold on to things
you feel pain.
When you are not attached to anything,
there is no pain.
When you hold on to one thing
You will feel the pain of one thing.
When you hold on to ten things
You will feel the pain of ten things.
When you hold on to a hundred things
You will feel the pain of a hundred things.
Hold on to nothing
And there will be no pain.
31
+ a a
.r c+ a
c + a
.r c a
c ++ a
.r cr +ar
a.+r+ a a
t . sr +a
a a a
:ca a+ a
Ties
When you have to tie something
Simply tie it, dont wrap it around and around.
When you must wrap something
Simply wrap it, dont tie it all up.
For if you tie it up and wrap it all around
You will find that it is you who are tightly bound.
32
a +a
.r csssr.+ +a a+a
r acro+
r sa +a
oc.+ +ccascco..c+
Nirvana
When Dhamma is in your heart
Every breath is Nirvana.
33
Peace
When your body is at peace it is
physically at ease.
When your mind is at peace you will have
serenity within.
When your entire being is at peace you
extinguish pain and suffering
And you are refreshed inside and out.
Nothing is better than happiness arising.
from a peaceful mind.
a.+ru
ua+ uccoa
u +. a
ur . o ur a+ .+ a
c r. a r acaa
+c a.oa ca.+rur r
34
a.+r +
c+ar a.+r +
a ar+r +a
c +.r .o c+a
a.+rr a+
c+ar a.+r +
a ar+ +-
c +oc
.aa.+rr a+
Happiness
If you desire happiness
Its not difficult to achieve.
Dont bring a burden of
suffering upon yourself.
If you desire happiness
Its really quite easy.
Dont let yourself fall
into a pit of suffering.
35
Make up your mind
If you can make up your mind and make sound decisions
Pain and suffering cannot touch you.
But if you waver back and forth unable to make a choice
Pain and suffering will follow you everywhere.
sac uc
.r csac :c .uc
r a+ r oc+ r u +
a +sac r uc
r a+ c s os+rr+
36
a+ ca o ca
.r c a :c.+ ca
aoo ca r
a:c. r + ca
aoo ca :s a+
Rest & Relax
When you rest and relax
Your mind can be at peace.
If after youve rested, youre still not relaxed
Then youve only rested your body.
37

rs+u:c ..uc a
rs+u:c ..uc a u uu u uo a a
sr + a .u as c c+a
r a c.a r++ +.s+u
.c aococ rs+u:c..uc a r . a.c
Make changes
Know what is wrong and then change.
Make it right at once.
Dont hold your thoughts or try to make them real.
Understand what is reality
Change yourself so that you do
Dont tie yourself to these illusions believing that theyre real.
They will only lead you back
Dont try to return to your past.
Know what is right and go forward with confidence.
38
r++
+ uu a o.o.
!uau au .oa ca ++
r a a cr++
++r +c +c o-
Illusion
Spread your wings
Fly high into the sky
Everything is an illusion
Let it all go
Free yourself from what binds you to the world.
39
Goal
Thoughts of ambition
Thoughts of reaching your goal
Combine all of these thoughts into one:
Ambition to reach your goal.
.oo .o .
.o o
.o .
.o o
o .oc c
o..o .
t c. +
.o o.o .
r+
40
u rur ao.
ur.o a ur.o a uroc uroc
uroa uroa urac urac
or aa a or as c
. uau r .uaur
ur.o a ur.o a uroc uroc
uroa uroa urac urac
asa a assc
.uau r .uaur
Knots
Knots in your heart
Big knots, small knots
Big egos, small egos
More knots bring more tension, more tightness.
Big knots, small knots
Big egos, small egos
Who keeps tying all these knots?
41
ca ss+
.c a a .cc
o .c a oc
c +r :cc +
.o a:c .uc
ca ss+
Let it go
The more you play, the messier youll get
The more involved you are, the more lost youll become
Dont react
Dont get confused
When you see it, let it go
We cannot hold on to anything.
Everything is just illusion.
42
.o as .:a o a. + .oa:a s .
.oa:a s . a.+rt . ascuac r s
r aas a o a ot . r ..r+oc
.oas .:a aa o suc
a.+r.r+oc rc+ o+u.c
Selfishness
Selfishness is a terrible thing
The evil clouds your mind
Every time you think of these things
You are pulled down into a dizzying spiral of all that is wrong.
Let it go.
When you see that you will become old and tired
You will let it all go.
The evil disappears and you are
Saved from the spiral into selfishness.
43
t a
.r c+c a
t a
c. o
r a+r oc+
ar r
I
When you can dispose of I
There will be no more suffering.
44
ur.caa.a ca
+c+cas as.c + .u a. ++c
s!aaa c .a a c .tt
+c+cas as.c + .+ +ascas
as.c +as as.c + .+ +as a.as
+c+cas as.c + .u a. ++c
s!aaa c . + a c !t.t
a +ca a a+cr !a a+c.c
.u aur.c .+ +aas r s sssr
Song of the Uncivilized
Who do these things belong to
Who is the owner
Hear them shout, Is this mine,
is that yours?
Who do these things belong to
Who claims these things
Whose is whose, whose is what
Who in the end is happy
Who do these things belong to
Hear them shout, This is mine, that is yours!
This is the song of the uncivilized who know no Dhamma.
45
c o
.c+co
co oro
or+ar+
sar c ou
:sa+c
ccaas+u
a !s
The more you give,
the more you receive
The more you want
The more you are without.
The more you give
The more youll receive
In autumn the trees must let their leaves fall.
But in spring they return making the tree
strong and tall.
The snake who must shed its entire skin
Grows bigger and stronger in the end.
46
a.+r+ a
a + a.+ o a
aar + ar+a a
a +c+a
.o a+ ac +as+s+
.s+r + aa+.a+
a +c+.o a
Diligence
The chicken must work hard to find its food in the dirt
While some of us lay back and wait for food to come to us.
How do you compare to the chicken?
Children study hard in school to learn their lessons well
While we fail to learn the lessons of meditation
How do you compare to the child?
47
a.+r +a.+rr a+
:. u:. u +:cu :ucu.t
.us .us . s c !coc
.us u + ac a.ac + as+o
r a+ .+ + !coc !srs a
Happiness & Suffering
A flash of lightning
Streaks through the sky
As a roar of thunder
Follows it nigh.
Happiness is with us
Ephemeral like the light
But the needles of suffering
Remain long throughout the night.
48
+cua a+os usc r
+cua a+os usc r r r s+.s ruauoa +
c ar a.+ror+a+s+ c. +.s+.u ar ssa a
Thank you for your smile
Thank you for your smile,
that shines on your face.
And the meaning in your eyes,
saying that we are friends.
49
a . +:c .
a . +:c. a!caa r u ao+
.++r o + a t atr os c.t.t
+rus.ar r . +a r .uc a.c
.+.t asa c+ .uau+s+
Let me tell you
Let me tell you again
In this world there is only pain
People will criticize you, compliment you, or ignore you.
These three things will never change.
Therefore you should let it all go and maintain Upekkha*
For if you make the mistake of listening to those people
You will surely go insane.
*Upekkha : Equanimity; The quality of mind that remainds
stable and neutral.
50
+ .a +ac.o .
acu!a cs a aa aoa+
:t o + cs a ar+aa a
ococ cs a aoa .oa a
r a+aa a .++ a.c+ u.++
A Pile of Ashes
Why be driven by greed?
Why curse and damn others?
Why dote on this and that?
For eventually, all that is left
Is a pile of ashes.
Translator:Chalita Photikoe
51
oa r a
.r csca.t + ru+ c+o a
+ss a u +r . t .r o.
u +:s oa + . ar+ r o+
. ao a +.a + .+ +!c.c
Inescapable
In the early morning
You smile peacefully.
By midmorning
Your health begins to decline.
At noon
You are beyond help.
Around the middle of the day
You try to refresh yourself.
But in the evening
You succumb to death.
It is nightfall
Your corpse begins to rot.
52
+
.r c+sca
s .sao
+ r oa
r+occa
.r c+sca
s .sacca
:c .+
r+occaas
.r cs .sa
r r
:c .a s+
.+ +as
Ghost
When you are ready to dispose of I
What ghost can scare you?
When you force the I out of you
Who can the ghost scare?
When there is no more I
What can the ghost do now?
53
. o
a+r r a .u a. oos c.uc +
r+rr .o ar !ua
. o+s .o
.o ar :s u + a u a +
scu a +a+. + . o
.u ar s.r+c
!ua . o+s
c+as.o
r a r t . o
:s a + . o
.u ar s.r+c
a.+ru
a.+r.rss+
+cscu. +
u +a a c . o
Temple
Q. Is this place the temple?
Why isnt there a pagoda?
Where is the monastery?
All I see is a forest
and a cave.
A. If you define a temple
as a pagoda and
a monastery
Then this place is not
a temple.
But if you define a temple
as a place of peace
and kindness
Then, yes, this forest,
this cave, is a temple.
54
:a
.asa c.o aoa +u r+o+sc++s
.asa c sc++s as u.asoa .++o+. +
+rr :aas u
sc++s :c ..scr os c.uc +c
.asa c r r as u
sc++s !c a +. o+ a +.scr or+a.c
.asa c r+ra o
sc++s o .s+a+. +:a a+e+c a:e:uc. + o
a+. + o or+a r r+o ac+s ca/. a/
:s scaa .asa+c s caa.s+.asr r :a
ua.+o. o r+a+.a+o+:aau
Fan
A young novice goes to his teacher with a frown on his face.
Novice: Teacher, the senior novice says that I have a fan*
Teacher: Well, do you have one?
Novice: No, sir!
Teacher: Thats too bad. It would be nice if you had one.
Novice: Why would it be nice?
Teacher:Because in English, fan is a cooling device.
You dont have a fan, so you are hot.
Now go and sweep the temple
and look for a fan in your heart.
t.. .. /... ..... ....:...:
55
. a
a e c++sasu/ +r. aa r:c .as u
c++s osca/ / occa/
a e +r. aa rs -as u
c++s a + .u a.sca :o. +
r . aa rs
a + .u a.sc .tt
r r r+.ao aa + a
a +r .u aas.r coc a
.as .a a. aa rr + o.c
Serenity
Novice: Teacher, my
mind is at peace.
Teacher: Not yet.
Novice: But teacher, my
mind is really at peace.
Teacher: If you still have
my then your mind
is not truly at peace.
If you still think of my
mind.
Then you do not have a mind
at peace.
It is not true serenity.
When you no longer have I,
me, my.
That is when you have
attained serenity.
56
u .
u .u+a:c.o u
u .o u:c.u+a
.or ca saa +a
.o .a u+a.o .a o u
Lotus
The lotus flower blooms
And then closes.
But soon, it opens again
Like the human mind
That wavers from thought to thought
Opening and closing
Never at peace.
57
a.+rr usr+r
sc.r + s. r+ar+ r oa a c
s.rasc .r +t + :rur oro
sssrr u. +cca s as
s.rcoro aa.+ror+ r usr+r.c
Mindfulness
You can easily understand why all
Animal footprints can fit nicely into
The footprint of an elephant.
The same is true of Lord Buddhas
Dhamma which can fit nicely into
The realm of mindfulness.
58
:a.ra
+ao
r+
ou
.or caou
:a.ra
r a aa +
+ u +
+ a o
. a o . a . +
a c s +
. o r c a + u +
. + +
a s . a . u a :
Priceless gem
With a calm mind,
youll feel like youve found
a priceless gem.
G n a w i n g
W h e n y o u r m i n d i s d i s t u r b e d ,
i t i s a s i f t h e d e v i l i s g n a w i n g
a t y o u r h e a r t .
59
+aoc a
+a.c +aoc a
a cacas a o at s. s
a +uc ca+ uc c us+ra o
!oa e t s a u aas+
Principal duty
Our principal duty is to
Uproot affections and break off hatred
With mindfulness.
If we allow ourselves to follow
The whimsical thoughts of body and mind
We will be attacked by the poisons
Of hatred and love forever.
Translator: Phra Ajahn Vorasak Vorathammo
60
as as.a
.s+ as+o as as.aa ca
a c+ asca uca a u ao+
acua a+so tu aa+
acac ss+ a car+ r t +.c
Speaking & Acting
Speaking and acting
With rashness only produces problems.
If you clear your mind
And think things through
Before speaking and acting,
You can avoid pain and heartache.
Translator: Chalita Photikoe
61
.ssa asa
.r ca a a ua+s+a .u au+ac
+cs a a:oc a c.ssa
.r co oo o a ua+s+a ar aa. a
+aa a asa .++ca.c
Heaven & Hell
When you find joy and happiness in your work
Know that this is heaven.
When you are sullen and moody while you work
Know that this is hell burning in your heart.
62
a. +s
a. +s at . s
. +r a+r s+r++a
a. +acoaca s
+ac u+r+a
a r+ao .s aa+
.o us+.c+
a. +s . +r s
oc a a s+a r . o .a ++.
a. +o+r ..r+
aa ac uu +a.a +
.oc c:s .o ca:o-
By the Time
We Understand Life...
By the time we understand that life
Only consists of body and mind
By the time we can relieve our minds
of all convictions,
The crows feet have already appeared.
By the time we relieve our
minds of ignorance
Our backs are hunched
Our eyes are blurred
Our hair is white
And our teeth are gone.
By the time we finally understand life
It is already too late.
Translator: Chalita Photikoe
c u+r+a :uc. + a+s or aa cr a
63
.au.r+r :
+ r a a :a .s+ r r+ar+
.s+ r r +ao r o .o+
:s a.+r!ass a.+rac r a++
r+roa+ r r r a scut ar
Why keep it?
Our patrons are so many.
We have left them behind without any attachment.
But why cant we throw the anger, the resentment
and the unconcern from our heart, I wonder.
Translator:.Suranya Kieatkunipol
64
s a a u s+
s aa us+ c a ar+ :a++ a
a c a a.o a .c aoa aoa+
r+. aoa s arc .c us ta+
. +r a a :a s+ . s s
s at .+ s+u r s +s +
s+ o tra+ :css
.s+ta a o.s+ us.
. +s aa .ua a.su t+
s+o s aa r aor a
scuca ccau o.!r+
. +r s a .o a.o ao a.s+s+
o rssa+ .ae:a.oa+r r s+s a
.s+ta a s+ +a aa. +
s ar a.s r+ a oo or a
s u. + s+r a + a. +s a
r .s+a ars s auo a.s+s+
s ao oa :a a :a!ass
.s as!oo ccau acoa+++
.s+c.oo a .u .a a. +s+
o.t .+ o uu r s .c
s+.oas a r+.a .s as!oo
a !ss :acs u oc us+.t
s a+s+ ac+cr r ar.
sa++.c rsa+ r s+s a
susa sc++s.tc . :e
65
Feet & Eyes
Once upon a time
There were two friends named Feet and Eyes
They lived happily together
Always side by side.
One fine day
Feet said to his friend Eyes
I take you everywhere, you see the world because of me.
And that is no lie.
Id like some respect!
Feet demanded of the now angry Eyes
Who could listen no more
And began his reply.
The reason you can walk is
All because of me.
You dont step in glass
Because I can see.
So it is you who owes me gratitude
You pompous fool!
But Feet was furious
And started to run while they dueled.
On he did run to the edge of a cliff
Eyes with his pride did not look out for his friend
So both toppled off the cliff
And that is the end.
66
r+r :
r.rc.r c.cc ussa
co s+ +au:c . ca+as r+r a
+cr oc+ cr.a or+:s .os
r at. ss +.u a. cas .rr a+
rs a. arcasasa o.
ascuas .a asc.u a+cs co +r
aatcu ouooroaa.t ca c
.s o.u a ea+
a a ao a a:c .+ r r .oc c
a :s o . u o.a caso a+
a c o . ocu+ar ar
a +o r r asr r s+
ac .r ar+r:
a or+ar+r:
c ca.car+r:
.u o.u aa ar+r:
+!ra ar+r:
u +c.++r+r:
!aoar+r:
. or cr t or+r:
a ar+ar+r:
cr+at or+r:
. a.+r+r:
ac .s+r+r:
67
. aa r . c:a +t :a s .
a.+r+.s cru+.sc:a aa.o o
r co s ao r r co rcoos aoocoas+
r ..c+acac ar+aaoc r+ a
au. cat . +s .t uo+
rcr++ro aac rc ++ +r
a.+r+ oc+o cr.a o+ ao .rc
oa :a oa a .c aa. +!c
:r:s . c a s ca aa+ a!. /
a+usso+a ao .ua. o .!+a
r ru s r+ar+ :s .u ar a+
s+:c. arcau+a a .c+ur o
r+a.+ro aa o o a. +a or r+
r .. c. cr+r:
r cr+r:
+ .a r+r:
oc +.r+r:
aur ar+r:
+ +ra ar+r:
.+. a ar+r:
c.o.u r+r:
o +cr+r:
u +c+a+r+r:
r ur+r:
u +ru s r+r:
s scr+r:
susa a+.a +
68
Why...?
Always smile when you face obstacles.
Why be afraid of them?
The past is gone, the future isnt here yet.
Why worry about them?
All results are due to causes.
Why plead?
We all love our belongings.
Why steal?
Another persons spouse is forbidden.
Why covet?
Liars are no longer trusted.
Why tell lies?
Drugs are poisonous to the body and mind.
Why take them?
Elaborate foods turn into feces.
Why overeat?
Luxurious clothes only cover flesh and bones.
Why buy so many?
A house only guards against the elements.
Why make so much fuss about it?
Even the best medicine cant prevent death.
Why be afraid to die?
69
Today is for remedy not for excuse.
Why procrastinate?
Success comes to the ambitious.
Why be discouraged?
Work hard, youll never starve: hardly work,
youll starve to death.
Why be lazy?
Theres plenty of time for a rest in the grave.
Why be idle?
Bad friends lead you astray.
Why associate with them?
Step over a fallen branch, not a fallen person.
Why put others down?
Mistakes can happen.
Why deride?
However big, you are smaller than a coffin.
Why be so self-inflated?
Even a tiger drinks from a common water hole.
Why be so proud?
Honors and titles are just masks.
Why be so pretentious?
What goes around comes around.
Why partake in bad deeds?
Great wealth cant prevent unhappiness.
Why want so much?
You cant take it with you after you die.
Why waste time over material possessions?
Do good deeds rather than think about it.
Why wait?
Translator: Dr. Pochara Theerathorn & Jinny Tarvee
70
Na Mo Tha Sa
Cease your vengeance and sinful deeds.
Who committed these vile acts?
Who has wronged me in the past?
Let us end this desire for vengeance.
Let us end this cycle of bad Karma.
a!rs a!rs a!rs
s o..s s oassr
..so asr+
..so .ar+
a..s aassra au
71
.s+s a c .s+s a:r