Page 89 - Because I know, I can let go
P. 89
The dhamma which supports
and advances practice
People, all those interested in the development of ānāpānasati. Tan
Dusadee (the venerable pleasure, delight, and joy) invited me to come
and talk with you. I’m particularly happy to meet with those willing
to take some time at Suan Mokkh International trying to develop the
mind by practising ānāpānasati.
Certain conditions are needed for the proper development of our lives:
first, an appropriate setting, one that’s suitably peaceful, free from
the normal worldly disturbances. Suan Mokkh Nanachat was built
by Ajarn Buddhādāsa to provide such a place for those wishing to
practice mental development, hence, that we’re able to dwell without
the normal problems of worldly life is one very important condition.
Second, a kalyānamitta, a good friend, the Buddha said that if we
have such an one our lives would prosper, while on the same subject,
he said that all those normally prone to birth, ageing, sickness, and
death, if they would dwell with the Buddha as their kalyānamitta
they could escape birth, ageing, sickness, and death, because the
Buddha’s Dhamma would then be their good friend.
There are two kinds of kalyanamittas, those who are people, and that
which is the Dhamma, especially does that apply to the dhamma
known as the ‘noble eightfold path,’ which consists in right view,
Lecture Two right thought, or, intention, right speech, right physical action, right
livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right samādhi, all of
which represents the most valuable of the two kinds of good friend.
BHAVANABODHIKHUN BHIKKHU
If anyone has developed the eightfold path then that one can truly
be our good friend, our kalyānamitta. As for us who’ve come to Suan
...I can let go 89
