Chapter 112
Where Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind
Find No Footing
Once, Kevaddha, in this order of Monks the thought occurred to a certain
Monk: “I wonder where the four great elements - the earth element, the
water element, the fire element, and the wind element - are eliminated
without remainder.’ And that Monk attained to such a state of mental
concentration that the way to the heavenly realm appeared before him.
(And that Monk attained to such a state of mental concentration that the way
to the heavenly realm appeared before him. He went to the heavenly realm of
The Four Great Kings and asked the question.
When none of them could answer the question, the Monk went to the Thirty-
Three Gods who said “We don’t know, but Sakka, Ruler of the Heavenly
Beings, may know…”. Sakka told the Monk to ask the Yama heavenly beings,
the Suyama, the Tusita heavenly beings, the Santusita, Nimmanarati,
Sunimmita, Paranimmita-Vesavatti heavenly beings, Vasavatti, Brahma’s
associates and all the way to the Great Brahma. The Great Brahma avoided
to answer and finally said that the heavenly beings believe there is nothing
Brahma does not know but the truth is he does not know where the four
great elements cease without remainder. It is the Monk’s fault that he did not
ask The Perfectly Enlightened One. In the end, the Monk went back to The
Perfectly Enlightened One.)
So that Monk, as swiftly as a strong man might flex or unflex his arm,
vanished from the Brahma world and appeared in my presence. He
prostrated himself before me, then sat down to one side and said: Venerable
Sir, where are the four great elements - the earth element, the water element,
the fire element, and the wind element - eliminated without remainder?
I replied: Monk, once upon a time sea traveling merchants, when they set sail
on the ocean, took in their ship a land sighting bird. When they could not see
the land themselves, they released this bird. The bird flew to the east, to the
south, to the west, to the north, it flew to the zenith (over head) and to the
intermediate points of the compass.
If it saw land anywhere, it flew there. But if it saw no land, it returned to the
ship. In the same way, Monk, you have been as far as the Brahma world
searching for an answer to your question and not finding it, and now you
come back to me.
384


But, Monk, you should not ask your question in this way: Where are the four
great elements — the earth element, the water element, the fire element, and
the wind element — eliminated without remainder?
Instead, this is how the question should have been put: Where do earth
water, fire, and wind find no footing?
Where are long and short, small and great, fair and foul — Where are “name-
and-form” wholly destroyed?
And the answer is: Where consciousness is quieted, immeasurable, all-
radiant, that’s where earth, water, fire, and wind find no footing, There both
long and short, small and great, fair and foul — There “name-and-form” are
wholly destroyed.
With the elimination of consciousness, this is all destroyed.
(Reference: DN 11)
In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares that to eliminate existence is
accomplished through the elimination of the consciousness.
During the lifetime of The Buddha and now in traditional medicine, the body is described
through The Four Elements. The body is categorized into four (4) different elements such
as: earth, water, fire, and wind. Each of these is used to describe the characteristics of the
body.
Earth is the solids of the body. For example, hair, teeth, bones, finger and toe nails, etc.
Water is the liquids of the body. For example, tears, saliva, pus, urine, blood, etc.
Fire is the temperature of the body. For example, the heat that is generated to sustain the
body. This element is also connected with the process of digestion.
Wind is the movement within the body. For example, the movement of food and feces
through the intestines of the body.
Space is the lack of any other of The Four Elements. For example, the voids or empty
spaces in the body like the nasal cavity or other locations where there is nothing that
exists.
The Four Elements are used in traditional medicine to understand symptoms of illness
and provide remedies to the patient.
Not only can the human body be described through The Four Elements, but we can also
describe any physical object through The Four Elements as all material objects have a
combination of The Four Elements.
385


The question The Buddha explains is appropriate for the Student to ask is “where are
“name-and-form” wholly destroyed?”.
Name-and-form relate to the physical body. The question the Student is asking is “how is
this physical existence eliminated?”.
The Buddha teaches the following about “name-and-form” in other discourses of his
Teachings.
————
And what, Monks, is name-and-form?
Feeling, perception, volitional formation, contact, consciousness: this is called name. The
four great elements and the form derived from the four great elements: this is called form.
Thus this name and this form are together called name-and-form.
————-
Name-and-form is describing the physical body and what makes “a being a being”.
It is through the elimination of consciousness that a Practitioner eliminates existence in
The Cycle of Rebirth. This is further explained in The Buddha’s Teachings on Dependent
Origination.
Detailed explanation of Dependent Origination is available in this same book series found
in the book “The First Stage of Enlightenment (Stream-Enterer)” (Volume 5).
386


Chapter 113
Where Consciousness is Quieted
Where consciousness is quieted, immeasurable, all-radiant, that’s where
earth, water, fire, and wind find no footing. There both long and short, small
and great, fair and foul - There "name-and-form" are wholly destroyed.
With the elimination of consciousness this is all destroyed.
(Reference: DN 11)


In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares that to eliminate existence is
accomplished through the elimination of the consciousness.
During the lifetime of The Buddha and now in traditional medicine, the body is described
through The Four Elements. The body is categorized into four (4) different elements such
as: earth, water, fire, and wind. Each of these is used to describe the characteristics of the
body.
Earth is the solids of the body. For example, hair, teeth, bones, finger and toe nails, etc.
Water is the liquids of the body. For example, tears, saliva, pus, urine, blood, etc.
Fire is the temperature of the body. For example, the heat that is generated to sustain the
body. This element is also connected with the process of digestion.
Wind is the movement within the body. For example, the movement of food and feces
through the intestines of the body.
Space is the lack of any other of The Four Elements. For example, the voids or empty
spaces in the body like the nasal cavity or other locations where there is nothing that
exists.
The Four Elements are used in traditional medicine to understand symptoms of illness
and provide remedies to the patient.
Not only can the human body be described through The Four Elements, but we can also
describe any physical object through The Four Elements as all material objects have a
combination of The Four Elements.
The question The Buddha explains is appropriate for the Student to ask is “where are
"name-and-form" wholly destroyed?”.
Name-and-form relate to the physical body. The question the Student is asking is “how is
this physical existence eliminated?”.
387

The Buddha teaches the following about “name-and-form” in other discourses of his
Teachings.
————
And what, Monks, is name-and-form?
Feeling, perception, volitional formation, contact, consciousness: this is called name. The
four great elements and the form derived from the four great elements: this is called form.
Thus this name and this form are together called name-and-form.
————-
Name-and-form is describing the physical body and what makes “a being a being”.
It is through the elimination of consciousness that a Practitioner eliminates existence in
The Cycle of Rebirth. This is further explained in The Buddha’s Teachings on Dependent
Origination.
Detailed explanation of Dependent Origination is available in this same book series found
in Chapter 14 of the book “The First Stage of Enlightenment (Stream-Enterer)” (Volume 5).
388


Chapter 114
The Conditioned
Monks, there are these three characteristics that define the conditioned.
What three?
An arising is seen, a vanishing is seen, and its alteration while it persists is
seen.
These are the three characteristics that define the conditioned.
(Reference: AN 3.47)


389

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he describes all “conditioned” objects or feelings.
A conditioned object or feeling arises, changes, and will fade away.
The Buddha uses this language “an arising is seen, a vanishing is seen (i.e. fade away),
and its alteration while it persists is seen (i.e. changes)”.
A conditioned object or feeling will arise, change, and then fade away.
Discontentedness experienced in the unEnlightened mind is based on impermanent
conditions and can be described as “conditioned feelings”.
- A pleasant feeling (happiness, excitement, elation, thrill, exhilaration, euphoria, etc.)
- A painful feeling (sadness, anger, frustration, irritation, annoyance, guilt, shame, fear,
stress, anxiety, etc.)
- A feeling that is neither painful-nor-pleasant (boredom, loneliness, shyness, displeased,
uncomfortable, unsatisfied, etc.)
The unEnlightened, or conditioned mind, will experience conditioned feelings because the
feelings are based on impermanent conditions. The impermanent conditions arise,
change, and fade away. Therefore, the conditioned feelings in the mind arise, change, and
fade away.
An unEnlightened mind will base its happiness on an impermanent condition such as a
new car, promotion at work, new relationship, or some other temporary condition. Then,
as the car, promotion at work, relationship, or some other condition is no longer pleasing
to the mind, the happiness changes and fades away. This is due to the unEnlightened
mind being untrained and it bases its inner feelings on an impermanent condition. The
mind experiences conditioned feelings that arise, change, and fade away.
This is not what an Enlightened unconditioned mind experiences.
Examples of conditioned objects exist all around you. You can observe for yourself that
everything in the world is a conditioned object. The physical body, a tree, car, mobile
phone, feelings, etc. You can investigate the world around you and observe, all that you
see, hear, smell, taste, come in contact with through the physical body, and think about in
the mind is a conditioned object. These are all impermanent because they are
conditioned objects. They arise, change, and fade away.
390


Chapter 115
The Unconditioned
Monks, there are these three characteristics that define the unconditioned.
What three?
No arising is seen, no vanishing is seen, and no alteration while it persists is
seen.
These are the three characteristics that define the unconditioned.
(Reference: AN 3.47)


391

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he describes all “unconditioned” mental qualities.
An unconditioned mental quality will not arise, change, and fade away.
The Buddha uses this language “No arising is seen, no vanishing is seen (i.e. no fading
away), and no alteration while it persists is seen (I.e. no changes)”.
An unconditioned mental quality will not arise, change, and then fade away.
The peaceful, calm, serene, and content mind with joy experienced in the Enlightened
mind is not based on impermanent conditions and can be described as “unconditioned
mental qualities”.
The Enlightened, or unconditioned mind, will not experience conditioned feelings because
the mental qualities of an Enlightened mind are not based on impermanent conditions.
The unconditioned mental qualities will not arise, change, and fade away. Therefore, the
unconditioned mental qualities are permanent.
An Enlightened mind will not base its peace, calm, serenity, and contentedness with joy
on impermanent conditions such as a new car, promotion at work, new relationship, or
some other temporary condition. Due to the Enlightened mind being deeply trained and it
does not base its inner feelings on impermanent conditions, the mind can reside peaceful,
calm, serene, and content with joy - permanently. The mind experiences unconditioned
mental qualities that do not arise, change, and fade away - they are permanent.
This is what an Enlightened unconditioned mind experiences.
Examples of unconditioned objects that I have observed are Enlightenment, The Natural
Laws of Existence, and love (i.e. unconditional love). These do not arise, change, nor fade
away.
Detailed explanation of “Why Enlightenment is Permanent?” is available in this same book
series found in the Frequently Asked Questions of the book “Developing a Life Practice:
The Path That Leads to Enlightenment” (Volume 1).
392


Chapter 116
Seeing Non-self with Correct Wisdom
Monks, Form is impermanent.... Feeling is impermanent.... Perception is
impermanent.... Volitional formations (choice/decisions) are impermanent....
Consciousness is impermanent.
What is impermanent is discontentedness. What is discontentedness is non-
self. What is non-self should be seen as it really is with correct wisdom thus:
This is not mine, this I am not, this is not my self.
When one sees this thus as it really is with correct wisdom, one holds no
more views concerning the past.
When one holds no more views concerning the past, one holds no more
views concerning the future.
When one holds no more views concerning the future, one has no more
stubborn craving.
When one has no more stubborn craving, the mind becomes free from
strong feelings towards form, feeling, perception, volitional formations, and
consciousness, and is liberated from the taints by non-clinging.
By being liberated, the mind is steady;
by being steady, the mind is content;
by being content, one is not agitated;
Being unagitated, one personally attains Nibbāna (Enlightenment).
One understands: Destroyed is birth,
the holy life has been lived,
what had to be done has been done,
there is no more for this state of existence.
(Reference: SN 22.46)


In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares Teachings on The Universal Truth of
Impermanence and The Universal Truth of Non-self.
The Buddha explains that The Five Aggregates of form, feelings, perceptions, volitional
formations (choices/decisions), and consciousness (the mind) are impermanent. Like with
all Teachings, this is not a Teaching that you should believe but instead, observe the truth
for yourself through investigating it and examining it in the world.
He then explains, “What is impermanent is discontentedness. What is discontentedness
is non-self”. If the mind holds onto impermanent conditions, it will experience
discontentedness. And, when the mind experiences discontentedness, that is not the self,
that is not you, that is not who you are.
If you understand The Universal Truth of Impermanence and The Universal Truth of Non-
self then you will come to the conclusion that “This is not mine, this I am not, this is not
my self”. None of The Five Aggregates or any other object is “you” or belongs to “you”.
The Buddha then mentions how the mind should be trained to not hold on to the past nor
the future eliminating any sort of craving/desire/attachment for the past and the future.
The mind needs to be trained to be in the present moment. “When one sees this thus as it
really is with correct wisdom, one holds no more views concerning the past. When one
holds no more views concerning the past, one holds no more views concerning the
future. When one holds no more views concerning the future, one has no more stubborn
craving”.
When the mind eliminates craving/desire/attachment, it “becomes free from strong
feelings towards form, feeling, perception, volitional formations, and consciousness, and
is liberated from the taints by non-clinging”. As the mind is trained to “let go” of The Five
Aggregates, it can be trained to eliminate The Ten Fetters or “the taints”.
When the mind has eliminated The Ten Fetters then it is “liberated, the mind is steady”,
“the mind is content”, “not agitated”, and “one personally attains Nibbāna
(Enlightenment)”.
Having attained Enlightenment, a Practitioner understands “destroyed is birth”, “the holy
life has been lived”, “what had to be done has been done”, “there is no more for this state
of existence” and there will no longer be any more rebirth in The Cycle of Rebirth.
With an Enlightened mind experiencing such peace, calm, serenity, and contentedness
with joy, a Practitioner knows and can observe this for themselves. They will know that
this path has led exactly where Gotama Buddha said it would, to complete liberation and
freedom from discontentedness. You will also know that there is no more rebirth to be
experienced because the mind has attained Enlightenment.
As has been shared in the other Teachings within this book series, a Practitioner should
never convince themselves that the mind is Enlightened as that can be dangerous to the
mind. But instead, with humbleness a Practitioner will know the mind is liberated when it
has not experienced any discontentedness for a few years.
As the discontentedness in the mind gradually decreases, life only gets better and better
as the brilliance and brightness of the Enlightened mind shines through.
394


Chapter 117
No Desire for the Nutriment
One Attains Enlightenment
If, Monks, there is no desire for the nutriment edible food, or for the
nutriment contact, or for the nutriment of volitional formations (choices/
decisions), or for the nutriment consciousness, if there is no excitement, if
there is no craving, consciousness does not become established there and
come to growth.
Where consciousness does not become established and come to growth,
there is no development of name-and-form. Where there is no development
of name-and-form, there is no growth of volitional formations (choices/
decisions). Where there is no growth of volitional formations (choices/
decisions), there is no production of future renewed existence. Where there
is no production of future renewed existence, there is no future birth, aging,
and death. Where there is no future birth, aging, and death, I say that: is
without sorrow, anguish, and despair.
Suppose, Monks, there was a house, a hall with a peaked roof, with windows
on the northern, southern, and eastern sides.
When the sun rises and a beam of light enters through a window, where
would it become established?
‘On the western wall, Venerable Sir.’
If there were no western wall, where would it become established?
‘On the earth, Venerable Sir.’
If there were no earth, where would it become established?
‘On the water, Venerable Sir’
If there were no water, where would it become established?
‘It would not become established anywhere, Venerable Sir.’
395


So too, Monks, if there is no desire for the nutriment edible food ... for the
nutriment contact ...for the nutriment of volitional formations (choices/
decisions) ... for the nutriment consciousness ... consciousness does not
become established there and come to growth.
Where consciousness does not become established and come to growth,
there is no development of name-and-form. Where there is no development
of name-and-form, there is no growth of volitional formations. Where there is
no growth of volitional formations, there is no production of future renewed
existence. Where there is no production of future renewed existence, there is
no future birth, aging, and death. Where there is no future birth, aging, and
death, I say that: is without sorrow, grief, and despair.
(Reference: SN 12.64)
In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares another Teaching to help a Practitioner
understand how the mind attaining Enlightenment a being is no longer reborn in The
Cycle of Rebirth.
When the mind eliminates craving/desire/attachment, it will experience Enlightenment.
The Buddha explains that when the mind has eliminated craving/desire/attachment to
food, contact, volitional formations, and consciousness, the mind will not experience
“excitement” based on those conditions. When “there is no craving, consciousness does
not become established there and come to growth” the mind is Enlightened and it will no
longer lead to rebirth.
Craving is the fuel that leads to rebirth. If there is craving/desire/attachment in the mind at
the time of death, there will be rebirth. The Buddha is explaining how “consciousness
does not become established there and come to growth” when “there is no craving”.
He further explains in the second paragraph of this Teaching sharing that “where
consciousness does not become established and come to growth, there is no
development of name-and-form”. He is describing that where there is no consciousness
(i.e. a mind), that there is no forming of a new being. Name-and-form is the living being
and if name-and-form does not develop, there is no further rebirth. Name-and-form would
only be created if there is a consciousness (i.e. a mind), to enter the physical body.
Without a consciousness, there is no rebirth.
Then, The Buddha uses the example of the sun shining into a building to explain that if
there is no craving/desire/attachment, that consciousness cannot be established to
create a new existence just like the sun cannot establish itself if there is no object to shine
on like a wall, earth, or water. If these objects do not exist, then the sun is unable to
establish its beam on these objects much like consciousness cannot be established if
there is no craving.
If there is no more birth, there will be no more discontentedness such as “sorrow, grief,
and despair”.
396


Chapter 118
How Should the Nutriment Edible Food Be Seen?
And how, Monks, should the nutriment edible food be seen?
Suppose a couple, husband and wife, had taken limited provisions and were
traveling through a desert. They have with them their only son, dear and
beloved.
Then, in the middle of the desert, their limited provisions would be used up
and exhausted, while the rest of the desert remains to be crossed. The
husband and wife would think: Our limited provisions have been used up and
exhausted, while the rest of this desert remains to be crossed. Let us kill our
only son, dear and beloved, and prepare dried and spiced meat. By eating
our son’s flesh we can cross the rest of this desert. Let not all three of us
perish!
Then, Monks, the husband and wife would kill their only son, dear and
beloved, prepare dried and toasted meat, and by eating their son’s flesh they
would cross the rest of the desert.
While they are eating their son’s flesh, they would beat their breasts and cry:
Where are you, our only son? Where are you, our only son?
What do you think, Monks? Would they eat that food for amusement or for
enjoyment or for the sake of physical beauty and attractiveness?
‘No, Venerable Sir’
Wouldn’t they eat that food only for the sake of crossing the desert?
‘Yes, Venerable Sir.’
It is in such a way, Monks, that I say the nutriment edible food should be
seen. When the nutriment edible food is fully understood, craving for the five
cords of sensual pleasure is fully understood. When craving for the five cords
of sensual pleasure is fully understood, there is no fetter bound by which a
Noble Disciple might come back again to this world.
(Reference: SN 12:63)
397


In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares how one should view food as needed to
sustain life and not for enjoyment or pleasure of the tongue and mind.
While there are foods that are flavorful with outstanding taste, if the mind has craving/
desire/attachment to food, then it will experience discontentedness when these foods are
unavailable due to impermanence. A Practitioner will need to train the mind to view food
as a substance to sustain life rather than, a substance that is meant to bring pleasure to
the tongue and mind.
To attain Enlightenment, the mind needs to eliminate the craving/desire/attachment for
pleasant feelings through The Six Sense Bases. This requires training and careful
attention to observe the mind with full awareness or mindfulness.
Once the mind has eliminated craving/desire/attachment for food, it is possible to still eat
enjoyable food without craving/desire/attachment.
398


Chapter 119
The End of Stress
There being no yearning, there is no coming or going.
There being no coming or going, there is no passing away or arising.
There being no passing away or arising, there is neither a here nor a there
nor a between-the-two.
This, just this, is the end of stress.
(Reference: UD 8.4)


In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares the way to eliminate stress is to
eliminate craving/desire/attachment.
“Yearning” is another way to describe craving/desire/attachment. When there is “no
yearning, there is no coming and going”. When the mind has extinguished craving/desire/
attachment it is peaceful and content where ever it exists and does not have the craving
to always be “on the go” or “coming and going”.
When there is “no yearning (i.e. craving/desire/attachment)”, then there is “no coming and
going”. The mind will not experience impermanent feelings that are “passing away or
arising”. All impermanent conditioned feelings will have been eliminated.
When the impermanent conditioned feelings are eliminated a Practitioner will not
experience “passing away or arising” of discontentedness the mind is permanently
peaceful and content, “there is neither a here nor a there nor a between-the-two”. Or in
other words, they will not experience rebirth.
With the elimination of rebirth, “this, just this, is the end of stress” as an Enlightened being
will no longer experience any stress in the remaining time of their life and they will not
experience any future births to experience discontentedness ever again.
The mind is completely liberated and completely free from all discontentedness.
399


Chapter 120
The Mind Has Attained to the End of Craving
Through the round of many births I roamed
without reward,
without rest,
seeking the house-builder.
Painful is birth
again & again.
House-builder, you’re seen!
You will not build a house again.
All your rafters are broken,
the ridge pole is dismantled,
immersed in dismantling,
the mind has attained to the end of craving.
(Reference: DHP 153-154)
400


In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares just a little bit of his own experience in
The Cycle of Rebirth prior to the attainment of Enlightenment.
He was reborn through constant rounds of rebirth.
As the mind awakens, one might come to observe their past lives. Not all Enlightened
beings have this experience but for some Practitioners, it does occur.
At this point in time, you have memory and can recall events, situations, and relationships
that have transpired within your current existence - your current life. However, you have
had several lives prior to this life that you may not currently recall and cannot remember.
Those prior existences may not be part of your current available memories.
As the mind wakes up, closer and closer to Enlightenment, the mind may have memories
of previous lives. The process of Enlightenment will allow you to attain a higher and
Higher Consciousness, which allows you to see more of your current life and past lives.
As you ascend to a higher place, you can see more of the bigger picture.
Just like if you were in a village or city, you can only see and experience what is in that
village or city. But if you relocated to a higher location on a nearby mountain’s top, you
would be able to see all the other villages from this higher vantage point and how all these
villages interconnect from one to the other.
Attaining a Higher Consciousness will have the same effect as being on top of the
mountain.
As you attain a Higher Consciousness, you will see more of your existing life and how to
create a smooth and peaceful existence within this life. You may also observe previous
births in the other realms, including previous births in the human realm.
To obtain rebirth in the human realm, you would have needed to generate significant
amounts of wholesome, or good, Kamma in your previous births.
Seeing past lives, is not necessarily important because they are in the past and have no
significance on your attaining Enlightenment in this life. Discovering past lives is
interesting but will not help you to attain Enlightenment in this life. Only what you do in
this life will contribute to Enlightenment in this life. Nothing from past lives and nothing in
the past from this life matters - it’s in the past and does not affect your ability to attain
Enlightenment in this life.
Being born into the human realm means there have already been countless previous
births. A certain number of rebirths into the human realm occur from the heavenly realm.
The vast majority of all rebirths occur out of the animal realm into the human realm.
If you are new to these Teachings, I suggest that you set aside The Teachings on The
Cycle of Rebirth until you have a well established practice of The Three Universal Truths,
The Four Noble Truths, The Eight Fold Path to include a well developed meditation
practice, and The Five Precepts. These are the core and central Teachings that a
Practitioner will need to learn, reflect on, and practice to start observing improvement to
the condition of one’s mind and life.
401


In regards to The Cycle of Rebirth, what happened in the past is in the past - we can’t
change that. What may or may not happen in the future, has not happened yet so there is
no need to worry about the future. The challenges that you are experiencing in this
present moment and this present life is a discontent mind. A Practitioner needs to deeply
investigate the core Teachings implementing them into a well developed life practice to
train the mind. It is through gradual training and gradual practice that there is gradual
progress on The Path to Enlightenment.
Understanding The Cycle of Rebirth early in practice can be a distraction that takes one
away from truly discovering the life changing Teachings offered by The Buddha. I suggest,
if new to these Teachings, that you focus on the book “Developing a Life Practice: The
Path That Leads to Enlightenment” (Volume 1) with the guidance of a Teacher.
It is through dedicated and determined diligence to developing and practicing these
Teachings with guidance that one will come to experience the results.
In addition to acquiring a peaceful mind as the mind becomes more and more
Enlightened, there will no longer be any rebirth. One will no longer “build a house again”
as one will have laid down the burden and no longer accumulate The Five Aggregates.
The “house-builder, you’re seen” as through wisdom it is that one understands The Cycle
of Rebirth and how continuous rebirth occurs. Through attaining Enlightenment “you will
not build a house again” as one has escaped The Cycle of Rebirth and there is no more
existence as birth has been eliminated. There will be no more sickness, aging, death,
sorrow, grief, pain, displeasure, and despair because it is all eliminated - once and for all.
402

Monk
Who Perfected Morality
403


Chapter 121
This is My Instruction to You
Whatever should be done, Monks, by a compassionate Teacher out of
compassion for his disciples, aspiring for their welfare, that I have done for
you.
These are the feet of trees, Monks these are empty huts.
Meditate, Monks, do not be complacent, lest you regret it later.
This is my instruction to you.
(Reference: SN 43.1)


In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he encourages Students to “not be complacent”
as in doing so, one would “regret it later”.
Gotama Buddha never used guilt, shame, or fear to encourage people to learn and
practice his Teachings. His Teachings are to eliminate guilt, shame and fear among other
discontent feelings, so he would not be interested to produce guilt, shame and fear in the
mind of his Students.
He humbly accepted invitations to teach based on people’s interest to host him in their
village or home. He held regular talks people could attend at Temples to learn and then
apply The Teachings in their daily life.
He explains that he shared these Teachings “out of compassion for his disciples, aspiring
for their welfare”.
What I feel he might be pointing to here as “regret it later” is that if one lacks the
determination, dedication, and diligence to learn, reflect, and practice The Teachings to
include meditation, a Practitioner could surely “regret this later” through being reborn and
through continuing to experience discontentedness.
Here he is providing clear guidance that one needs to meditate in order to attain
Enlightenment. One would not be able to attain Enlightenment without meditation. But,
one would not be able to attain Enlightenment with only meditation either. A Practitioner
will need to learn, reflect, and practice The Teachings in daily life to be able to attain
Enlightenment.
It is when the mind is fully soaked into The Teachings that a Practitioner can readily apply
The Teachings in daily life and experience the results.
404


Can you explain complacency and how to eliminate it from the mind?
Complacency is a hindrance to Enlightenment and will obstruct an individual from
attaining this mental state.
Complacency is experienced in the mind where it is dull, lethargic, and unmotivated, it will
hinder a Practitioner from the attainment of Enlightenment.
Complacency includes: being disinterested to learn and practice The Teachings of The
Buddha. This can be experienced as a disinterest to read books, come to classes, seek
guidance from a Teacher, meditate, etc. The Buddha describes complacency to the point
where, if the mind experiences an unwholesome thought/idea/feeling and the Practitioner
does nothing about it, then the mind is complacent. What a Practitioner is taught to do on
The Path to Enlightenment is to “cut off and let go” of all unwholesome thoughts/ideas/
feelings, therefore, if one does nothing about an unwholesome thought/idea/feelings, the
mind is complacent.
Again, this will hinder an individual from the attainment of Enlightenment, which is a
purification of the mind.
If the mind is unEnlightened, then there is the fetter/taint/pollution of mind described as
ignorance (unknowing of true reality) still in the mind. A Practitioner does not understand
things as they truly are, the mind lacks wisdom of The Natural Laws of Existence. This is
an all encompassing pollution of mind and is the last one that will be eliminated from the
mind prior to Enlightenment.
As long as one’s mind is unEnlightened, it does not have the needed wisdom to attain
Enlightenment because it is not yet practicing The Teachings (i.e. The Natural Laws of
Existence), thus, there is ignorance, confusion, misunderstanding, misperception, a lack
of wisdom, or “the unknowing of true reality” still in the mind. Ignorance is eliminated
through learning, reflecting (i.e. independently verifying), and practicing The Teachings of
The Buddha to acquire wisdom. Wisdom is just the opposite of “the unknowing of true
reality” and will eradicate the mind’s fetter/taint/pollution of mind described as ignorance.
While ignorance is involved in all the fetters/taints/pollutions, the fetters that are directly
involved in complacency are “Doubt” and “Sensual Desire”.
The mind doubts The Teachings of The Buddha and their ability to guide an individual to
Enlightenment. And, the mind is having sensual desire, in that, it is holding on to certain
things with craving/desire/attachment being unmotivated to learn and practice The
Teachings while also indulging in unwholesome thoughts/ideas/feelings.
Doubt (Elimination of doubts about The Teachings and the ability of them to attain
Enlightenment. Confidence in The Buddha, The Teachings, The
Community, your Teacher, and your own ability to attain Enlightenment.)
Sensual desire (Elimination of the desire for pleasures from The Six Sense Bases: eyes,
ears, nose, tongue, body, and the mind.)
There is a remedy, or solution to eliminate complacency, that can be implemented to
ensure the mind is able to overcome this obstacle and continue its journey to
Enlightenment.
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The solution is to practice The Eight Fold Path to include, the Enlightenment factors of
investigation, energy, and joy from The Seven Factors of Enlightenment. The
Enlightenment factors of investigation, energy, and joy are just the opposites of the
dullness, lethargy, and lack of motivation that exists in the mind during the time of
complacency. Some older texts use the phrase “sloth and torpor” for complacency but,
“complacency” is a much better way to understand this aspect of the unEnlightened mind
with language we use today.
Investigation: (Dedicated examination, exploration, research, study, and questioning to
learn The Teachings.)
Energy: (Effort, determination, ambition, initiative, motivation, vigor, and enthusiasm;
willingness to do something.)
Joy: (Pleased and delighted not associated with any specific object; unconditioned
gladness; the Practitioner is not attaining it by craving/desire/attachment.)
Meditate, Monks, do not be complacent, lest you will regret it later. This is my instruction
to you. (Reference: SN 43.1)
You can learn more about complacency and its remedy using these resources.
Volume 1 - Chapter 3 and the recorded classes where I teach The Five Hindrances, this is
one of those.
Free Books - The Words of The Buddha
https://www.buddhadailywisdom.com/freebuddhabooks
The Five Hindrances & The Seven Factors of Enlightenment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7t6VKPshUn0
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Chapter 122
Monk Who is Perfected in Morality
(First Discourse)
And how, Sir, is a Monk perfected in morality?
Abandoning the taking of life, he resides refraining from taking life, without
stick or sword, diligent, compassionate, trembling for the welfare of all living
beings. Thus he is accomplished in morality.
Abandoning the taking of what is not given, he resides refraining from taking
what is not given, living purely, accepting what is given, awaiting what is
given, without stealing. Thus he is accomplished in morality.
Abandoning unchastity, he lives far from it, distant from the village - practice
of sex. Thus he is accomplished in morality.
Abandoning false speech, he resides refraining from false speech, a truth-
speaker, one to be relied on, trustworthy, dependable, not a deceiver of the
world. Thus he is accomplished in morality.
Abandoning malicious speech, he does not repeat there what he has heard
here to the damage of these or repeat here what he has heard there to the
damage of those. Thus he is a peacemaker of those in conflict and an
encourager of those to come together, rejoicing in peace, loving it, finding joy
in it, one who speaks up for peace. Thus he is accomplished in morality.
Abandoning harsh speech, he refrains from it. He speaks whatever is
blameless, pleasing to the ear, agreeable, reaching the heart, courteous,
pleasing and attractive to the multitude (many people). Thus he is
accomplished in morality.
Abandoning idle chatter, he speaks at the right time, what is correct and to
the point, of Teachings and discipline. He is a speaker whose words are to
be treasured, meeting the needs of the occasion, well thought out, well-
defined and connected with the goal. Thus he is accomplished in morality.
(Reference: DN 1.8)
In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares how a Practitioner can become
“accomplished in morality” or moral conduct. It is very clear and straight forward so no
further explanation will be provided.
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Chapter 123
Monk Who is Perfected in Morality
(Second Discourse)
He eats once a day and not at night, refraining from eating at improper times.
He avoids watching dancing, singing, music and shows. He abstains from
using garlands, perfumes, cosmetics, ornaments and adornments. He avoids
using high or wide beds. He avoids accepting gold and silver. He avoids
accepting raw grain or raw flesh, he does not accept women and young
girls, male or female slaves, sheep and goats, cocks and pigs, elephants,
cattle, horses and mares, fields and plots of land; he refrains from running
errands, from buying and selling, from cheating with false weights and
measures, from bribery and corruption, deception and insincerity, from
wounding, killing, imprisoning, highway robbery, and taking food by force.
Thus he is accomplished in morality.
(Reference: DN 1.10)


In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares how a Practitioner can become
“accomplished in morality” or moral conduct. This Teaching is mostly for the guidance of
Ordained Practitioners but can also benefit Household Practitioners when understood
and practiced based on household life.
This guidance is explained in Chapter 46 of this book as part of The Eight Precepts. “He
eats once a day and not at night, refraining from eating at improper times. He avoids
watching dancing, singing, music and shows. He abstains from using garlands, perfumes,
cosmetics, ornaments and adornments. He avoids using high or wide beds”.
This guidance helps an Ordained Practitioner to further purify Right Action and Right
Livelihood. “He avoids accepting gold and silver. He avoids accepting raw grain or raw
flesh, he does not accept women and young girls, male or female slaves, sheep and
goats, cocks and pigs, elephants, cattle, horses and mares, fields and plots of land; he
refrains from running errands, from buying and selling, from cheating with false weights
and measures, from bribery and corruption, deception and insincerity, from wounding,
killing, imprisoning, highway robbery, and taking food by force”.
Detailed explanation of Teachings to guide Ordained Practitioners is available in this same
book series found in the book “Lowly Arts” (Volume 12). There are also Teachings in
Volume 12 that will help Household Practitioners.
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Chapter 124
Monk Who is Perfected in Morality
(Third Discourse)
Whereas, Sir, some Ascetics and Brāhmins, feeding on the food of the
dedicated, are addicted to the destruction of such seeds as are propagated
from roots, from stems, from joints, from cuttings, from seeds, a Monk
refrains from such destruction. Thus he is perfected in morality.
Whereas some Ascetics and Brāhmins, feeding on the food of the dedicated,
remain addicted to the enjoyment of stored-up goods such as food, drink,
clothing, carriages, beds, perfumes, meat, a Monk refrains from such
enjoyment. Thus he is perfected in morality.
Whereas some Ascetics and Brāhmins, feeding on the food of the dedicated,
remain addicted to attending such shows as dancing, singing, music,
displays, recitations, hand-music, cymbals and drums, fairy-shows,
acrobatic and conjuring tricks, combats of elephants, buffaloes, bulls, goats,
rams, cocks and quail, fighting with staves, boxing, wrestling, sham-fights,
parades, manoeuvres and military reviews, a Monk refrains from attending
such displays. Thus he is perfected in morality.
Whereas some Ascetics and Brāhmins, feeding on the food of the dedicated,
make their living by such base arts, such wrong means of livelihood as
palmistry, divining by signs, portents, dreams, body-marks, mouse
gnawings, fire-oblations, oblations from a ladle, of husks, rice-powder, rice
grains, ghee or oil, from the mouth or of blood, reading the finger-tips,
house- and garden-lore, skill in charms, ghost-lore, earth-house lore, snake
lore, poison-lore, rat-lore, bird-lore, crow-lore, foretelling a person’s life span,
charms against arrows, knowledge of animals’ cries, a Monk refrains from
such base arts and wrong means of livelihood. Thus he is perfected in
morality.
Whereas some Ascetics and Brāhmins, feeding on the food of the dedicated,
make their living by such base arts as predicting an eclipse of the moon, the
sun, a star; that the sun and moon will on their proper course - will go astray;
that a star will go on its proper course will go astray; that there will be a
shower of meteors, a blaze in the sky, an earthquake, thunder; a rising,
setting, darkening, brightening of the moon, the sun, the stars; and ‘such will
be the outcome of these things’, a Monk refrains from such base arts and
wrong means of livelihood. Thus he is perfected in morality.
409


Whereas some Ascetics and Brāhmins, feeding on the food of the dedicated,
make their living by such base arts as predicting good or bad rainfall; a good
or bad harvest; security, danger; disease, health; or accounting, computing,
calculating, poetic composition, philosophizing, a Monk refrains from such
base arts and wrong means of livelihood. Thus he is perfected in morality.
Whereas some Ascetics and Brāhmins, feeding on the food of the dedicated,
make their living by such base arts as arranging the giving and taking in
marriage, engagements and divorces; (declaring the time for) saving and
spending, bringing good or bad luck, procuring abortions, using spells to
bind the tongue, binding the jaw, making the hands jerk, causing deafness,
getting answers with a mirror, a girl-medium, a heavenly being; worshipping
the sun or Great Brahma (God), breathing fire, invoking the goddess of luck,
a Monk refrains from such base arts and wrong means of livelihood. Thus he
is perfected in morality.
Whereas some Ascetics and Brāhmins, feeding on the food of the dedicated,
make their living by such base arts, such wrong means of livelihood as
appeasing the heavenly beings and redeeming vows to them, making earth-
house spells, causing virility or impotence, preparing and consecrating
building-sites, giving ritual rinsings and bathings, making sacrifices, giving
emetics, purges, expectorants and phlegmagogues, giving ear-, eye-, nose-
medicine, ointments and counter-ointments, eye-surgery, surgery, pediatry,
using balms to counter the side-effects of previous remedies, a Monk
refrains from such base arts and wrong means of livelihood. Thus he is
perfected in morality.
(Reference: DN 1.11)


In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares guidance to help Ordained Practitioners
to further purify Right Action and Right Livelihood.
“Feeding on the food of the dedicated” are the Household Practitioners who are providing
regular offerings of food to sustain the life of the Ordained Practitioners. Ordained
Practitioners should be appreciative and have significant gratitude for the energy and
effort applied by Household Practitioners to support their progress on The Path to
Enlightenment. The Ordained Practitioners should have deep respect for the Household
Practitioners and not be interested in causing harm to them but instead, support the
Household Practitioners in their growth on The Path to Enlightenment.
“Whereas, Sir, some Ascetics and Brāhmins, feeding on the food of the dedicated, are
addicted to the destruction of such seeds as are propagated from roots, from stems, from
joints, from cuttings, from seeds, a Monk refrains from such destruction” helps ensure
there is no harm to the crops of farmers. Through Ordained Practitioners roaming the
countryside, if they destroyed crops of the farmers this would cause harm to the farmers
family and to the surrounding people as the harvest could not support the people.
“Whereas some Ascetics and Brāhmins, feeding on the food of the dedicated, remain
addicted to the enjoyment of stored-up goods such as food, drink, clothing, carriages,
beds, perfumes, meat, a Monk refrains from such enjoyment” ensures Ordained
Practitioners are coming into contact with Household Practitioners on a daily basis.
Through this interaction, the Household Practitioners have the opportunity to learn from
the Ordained Practitioners who should be dedicated to sharing The Teachings. Through
the Household Practitioners supporting the Ordained Practitioners with offerings, the
Ordained Practitioners should be supporting the Household Practitioners with Teachings
to benefit their life. This is the exchange of Kamma between the two groups of
Practitioners.
“Whereas some Ascetics and Brāhmins, feeding on the food of the dedicated, remain
addicted to attending such shows as dancing, singing, music, displays, recitations, hand-
music, cymbals and drums, fairy-shows, acrobatic and conjuring tricks, combats of
elephants, buffaloes, bulls, goats, rams, cocks and quail, fighting with staves, boxing,
wrestling, sham-fights, parades, manoeuvres and military reviews, a Monk refrains from
attending such displays” helps an Ordained Practitioner eliminate craving/desire/
attachment to entertainment and viewing of harmful content that can pollute the mind
inhibiting Enlightenment.
“Whereas some Ascetics and Brāhmins, feeding on the food of the dedicated, make their
living by such base arts, such wrong means of livelihood as palmistry, divining by signs,
portents, dreams, body-marks, mouse gnawings, fire-oblations, oblations from a ladle, of
husks, rice-powder, rice grains, ghee or oil, from the mouth or of blood, reading the
finger-tips, house- and garden-lore, skill in charms, ghost-lore, earth-house lore, snake
lore, poison-lore, rat-lore, bird-lore, crow-lore, foretelling a person’s life span, charms
against arrows, knowledge of animals’ cries, a Monk refrains from such base arts and
wrong means of livelihood”…
“Whereas some Ascetics and Brāhmins, feeding on the food of the dedicated, make their
living by such base arts as predicting an eclipse of the moon, the sun, a star; that the sun
and moon will on their proper course - will go astray; that a star will go on its proper
course will go astray; that there will be a shower of meteors, a blaze in the sky, an
earthquake, thunder; a rising, setting, darkening, brightening of the moon, the sun, the
411


stars; and ‘such will be the outcome of these things’, a Monk refrains from such base arts
and wrong means of livelihood”…
“Whereas some Ascetics and Brāhmins, feeding on the food of the dedicated, make their
living by such base arts as predicting good or bad rainfall; a good or bad harvest;
security, danger; disease, health; or accounting, computing, calculating, poetic
composition, philosophizing, a Monk refrains from such base arts and wrong means of
livelihood”…
“Whereas some Ascetics and Brāhmins, feeding on the food of the dedicated, make their
living by such base arts as arranging the giving and taking in marriage, engagements and
divorces; (declaring the time for) saving and spending, bringing good or bad luck,
procuring abortions, using spells to bind the tongue, binding the jaw, making the hands
jerk, causing deafness, getting answers with a mirror, a girl-medium, a heavenly being;
worshipping the sun or Great Brahma (God), breathing fire, invoking the goddess of luck,
a Monk refrains from such base arts and wrong means of livelihood”…
“Whereas some Ascetics and Brāhmins, feeding on the food of the dedicated, make their
living by such base arts, such wrong means of livelihood as appeasing the heavenly
beings and redeeming vows to them, making earth-house spells, causing virility or
impotence, preparing and consecrating building-sites, giving ritual rinsings and bathings,
making sacrifices, giving emetics, purges, expectorants and phlegmagogues, giving ear-,
eye-, nose-medicine, ointments and counter-ointments, eye-surgery, surgery, pediatry,
using balms to counter the side-effects of previous remedies, a Monk refrains from such
base arts and wrong means of livelihood”…
…all help an Ordained Practitioner to practice Right View basing their life practice on The
Teachings that lead to Enlightenment. Through the Ordained Practitioners deeply
practicing The Teachings, they will be role models for Household Practitioners to deeply
learn and practice these Teachings. If Ordained Practitioners are basing their livelihood or
even practicing any of these for any reason, it would promote “wrong view” distracting
The Community from being able to deeply understand and practice Right View.
Additionally, for an Ordained Practitioner to take time away from learning and practicing
The Teachings from The Buddha that lead to Enlightenment, they are choosing to be
distracted from their primary objective to attain Enlightenment. Through deciding to
ordain and live on “the food of the dedicated”, they should be devoted to learning,
reflecting, and practicing these Teachings to attain Enlightenment and then be able to
offer guidance to other Ordained Practitioners and Household Practitioners to attain
Enlightenment. If Ordained Practitioners were devoting time to learning and practicing any
of the above mentioned “lowly arts”, they are not fulfilling their duty and responsibility to
the dedicated Household Practitioners who are supporting them in their pursuit to attain
Enlightenment. Ordained Practitioners who choose to learn and practice these lowly arts
would be unable to responsibly share The Teachings and experiences with others, that
lead to Enlightenment, to support others in the attainment of Enlightenment.
“Thus he is perfected in morality” means that having practiced all the other Teachings of
The Buddha including these, an Ordained Practitioner is perfect in moral conduct. If an
Ordained Practitioner is not practicing in this way, they are not perfect in moral conduct.
412


Now that you have completed reading (Volume 3) of this book series and may decide to
read this book multiple times, I would like to take a moment to personally “thank you” for
your determination, dedication, and diligence to learn, reflect, and practice The Teachings
of The Buddha on The Path to Enlightenment.
The time, effort, energy, and resources that you devote to this path are serving to help you
and countless other beings. As you choose to learn and practice these Teachings, you will
significantly reduce then eliminate any harm that you are putting into the world through
your unknowing of true reality. The unEnlightened mind does not understand what it does
not understand.
You are now applying time, effort, energy, and resources to improving the condition of the
mind, the condition of your life, and, thus, the condition of the world through investigating
The Teachings to acquire wisdom. The world becomes a better place when we each
individually choose to improve our own life practice taking responsibility for our own
intentions, speech, actions, and livelihood while improving our wisdom and mental
discipline.
I admire individuals who choose to walk towards harmlessness. I admire individuals who
choose to realize there is a better way of life and create that better way of life for
themselves through seeking guidance. And, I admire individuals who do not shrink back
from the struggle to move the mind towards Enlightenment when the natural tendency
might be to remain complacent.
Why have I chosen to share these Teachings with you?
“That it may be for the benefit and peacefulness of the multitude (many people), out of
compassion for the world, for the benefit and peacefulness of heavenly beings and
humans”. (Gotama Buddha)
“Because if they understand even a single sentence, that will lead to their welfare and
peacefulness for a long time”. (Gotama Buddha)
May you discover the freedom associated with a mind that is peaceful, calm,
serene, and content with joy permanently - the Enlightened mind.
As you need help to learn, reflect, and practice these Teachings, you are welcome to
seek guidance which is available openly and freely to “all beings”.
414


Author
David Roylance is a dedicated Practitioner and Teacher of Gotama Buddha’s
Teachings who has been part of the Thai community since 2001. He visited
Thailand for the first time in 2002 and brought the Traditional Thai Healing
Arts back to the United States of America to share with people in the
Western World.
His Traditional Thai Healing Arts centers, located in the Washington DC area,
provided traditional Thai healing arts to clients and educational opportunities
to Students to explore the Thai healing arts, Thai culture, and The Teachings
of Gotama Buddha. David is a published author with books on the topics of
Traditional Thai Healing Arts and The Path That Leads to Enlightenment.
David has taught Gotama Buddha’s Teachings since 2005 in the United
States of America. In 2015, he closed his businesses and relocated to
Chiang Mai, Thailand to be closer to the Thai culture and the Thai
Community of Buddhist Practitioners.
David shares Gotama Buddha’s Teachings with Household Practitioners and
Ordained Practitioners in Chiang Mai, Thailand and around the world through
courses, retreats, and special events providing guidance to help people
attain Enlightenment - a peaceful, calm, serene, and content mind with joy.
For more information on participating in courses, retreats, special events or
to invite these Teachings to your learning venue, use the contact information
below:
Teacher - David Roylance
hello@buddhadailywisdom.com
www.BuddhaDailyWisdom.com
415


Restoration of The Buddha’s Teachings
The Path to Enlightenment
The Buddha taught over 2,500 years ago. He taught The Path to
Enlightenment guiding countless beings to a mental state that is peaceful,
calm, serene, and content with joy that is permanent, where the mind has
eliminated 100% of all discontent feelings such as sadness, anger,
frustration, irritation, annoyance, guilt, shame, fears, boredom, loneliness,
shyness, jealousy, resentment, stress, anxiety, etc.
Immediately following the death of The Buddha (i.e. Gotama Buddha), The
Teachings were shining in the world continuing to guide countless people to
Enlightenment. But, over the course of many generations, just as Gotama
Buddha predicted, people’s understanding of his Teachings gradually
diminished due to modifications and adjustments made by people after him.
The modifications made to his Teachings, handed down through oral
transmission, have made it increasingly difficult for human beings to attain
Enlightenment.
The goal of David’s Teachings is to root the learning and practice he
shares in “The Words of The Buddha” based on The Teachings that
existed during the lifetime of Gotama Buddha, so that countless beings
can now attain Enlightenment based on the original Path to
Enlightenment discovered and declared by Gotama Buddha.
David does this through connecting what he teaches to the largest most
complete source of Teachings from Gotama Buddha - The Pāli Canon. The
Pāli Canon is the original source text of The Teachings from Gotama Buddha
as spoken by him during his lifetime.
David has spent countless hours dedicated to restoring The Words of The
Buddha by updating a significant portion of the translations of Gotama
Buddha’s Teachings from The Pāli Canon. He now offers several resources
for Students to learn, reflect, and practice The Path to Enlightenment to
experience the results of an Enlightened mind.
David offers books, audiobooks, videos, podcasts, online learning programs,
personal guidance, and retreats without any requirement for financial
support. All the work that is being done is offered openly and freely for all
beings without any requirement to provide any financial support. David
accepts donations but Students are not required to provide donations for
any work that he does in supporting them on The Path to Enlightenment.
416


David does not request donations and instead, just accepts whatever is
offered to him, if anything at all.
His dedication to sharing these Teachings is not motivated by finances. He
shares openly and freely with everyone who has a sincere interest in learning
and practicing The Path to Enlightenment.
Ultimately, David plans to preserve The Teachings of The Buddha in a format
that is easily, readily, and openly accessible to anyone in the world while
offering support to learn, reflect, and practice to experience the results of the
Enlightened mind.
His plan is to guide countless people to Enlightenment during his lifetime
and leave a Community of Enlightened beings who can continue to share
The Teachings long after his death. Through developing a Community of
Enlightened beings and preserving The Path to Enlightenment in resources
that are easily, readily, and openly accessible to anyone in the world, David is
revealing the hidden Teachings of Gotama Buddha and doing the best he
can to remove any obstacles one might have to learn, reflect, and practice
these Teachings, allowing countless people to experience the results of an
Enlightened mind.
Upon his death, David predicts that his closest Student, his son and a
continued lineage of Teachers, will share these same Teachings continuing to
support and grow The Community of Enlightened beings long into the future
- for the next 1,000 years.
These efforts will culminate into restoring The Path to Enlightenment back
into the world so that all of humanity can experience Enlightenment evolving
the human species to one where every being has the opportunity to attain
Enlightenment creating “heaven on earth”.
417


The Goal
An Entire Species of Enlightened Beings
Having experienced Enlightenment and knowing the peace, calm, serenity,
and contentedness with joy that comes with having attained Enlightenment,
a Buddha’s goal is to share his Teachings worldwide so that “all beings” can
experience Enlightenment.
The Enlightened mind no longer experiences any discontent feelings such as
sadness, anger, frustration, irritation, annoyance, guilt, shame, fears,
boredom, loneliness, shyness, jealousy, resentment, anxiety, stress, etc.
All discontent feelings have been eliminated 100% from the Enlightened
mind (i.e. all suffering is eliminated).
An Enlightened mind will have loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic
joy, equanimity, and generosity among many other wholesome qualities.
Can you imagine an entire world where all human beings have liberated
their mind to no longer experience these discontent feelings and are
practicing wholesome qualities of mind at all times?
With “The Buddha” (Gotama Buddha) having attained this permanent mental
state of Enlightenment on his own as The Perfectly Enlightened Buddha, he
would have known that through his dedicated and persistent pursuit to
Enlightenment, he had acquired the wisdom needed to guide “all beings” to
this same mental state.
However, his teaching career of 45 years would not be enough time to share
his Teachings worldwide. He knew, that it would require many centuries for
his Teachings to reach all parts of the world. During his lifetime, travel of
people and information was limited based on several constraints.
Today, we are in a unique time in history where these same constraints have
been eliminated. A time when people and information are able to travel
around the world in an instant.
Not only can information travel quickly but all of humanity is slowly coming
to the point where there is a common language spoken around the world -
the English language.
Criteria exist today that did not exist during Gotama Buddha’s lifetime that
make now the perfect time for all of humanity to gradually attain
Enlightenment realizing a better existence.
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- People can travel worldwide.
- Information can be shared worldwide in an instant.
- Commonly spoken language among a large percentage of the worldwide
population and this is only growing.
These criteria did not exist during the lifetime of Gotama Buddha and it is
only now that the world has come into an age where his original goal is
realistically possible.
But, during Gotama Buddha’s lifetime it seems they had something that we
may not have….
The people during Gotama Buddha’s lifetime had perseverance and
dedication to learning, reflecting, and practicing The Teachings to realize the
results of experiencing the Enlightened mind. They were not afraid of hard
work.
With our modern day conveniences, I am unsure how many people are
willing to apply their determination, dedication, and diligence with time,
effort, energy, and resources towards The Path to Enlightenment with the
goal to experience the Enlightened mind.
When a being decides they are finished with the sadness, anger, frustration,
irritation, annoyance, guilt, shame, fear, boredom, loneliness, shyness,
jealousy, resentment, etc., that is the time when one can turn towards The
Teachings and goal of experiencing Enlightenment.
Through each individual deciding to learn and practice The Teachings of
Gotama Buddha, as a collective world, our species will gradually evolve. We
evolve to a higher consciousness where we train the mind to not harm others
through our intentions, speech, nor actions.
Through each individual deciding to learn, reflect, and practice The
Teachings of Gotama Buddha, each person benefits and we all benefit as
there will be less and less harm in the world.
Through individuals deciding to focus on developing a comprehensive
approach to learning and practicing The Teachings of Gotama Buddha with
guidance from a Teacher, your life drastically improves and the entire world
improves essentially creating “heaven on earth”.
We do not need to “fix” the world. That is not the problem. The problem is
the unEnlightened mind does not understand The Natural Laws of Existence
and it is quite a struggle to live in a world that one does not understand.
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Through learning and practicing The Teachings of Gotama Buddha, a
Practitioner comes to deeply understand The Natural Laws of Existence to
acquire wisdom that will end the struggles and misery one may face on a
regular basis.
Are you ready to apply determination, dedication, and diligence with time,
effort, energy, and resources towards The Path to Enlightenment with the
goal to experience Enlightenment?
If one enjoys anger, sadness, boredom, loneliness, resentment, etc., there is
nothing to do.
But, if you are interested to eliminate these unwelcomed feelings from the
mind, then I suggest you turn towards The Path to Enlightenment and apply
your dedication and diligence to learning, reflecting, and practicing The
Teachings of Gotama Buddha.
And then, as all of humanity gradually experiences Enlightenment we will
have accomplished “the goal”.
“An entire species of Enlightened beings”.
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Why Have I Decided to Teach The Path to
Enlightenment as Taught by Gotama Buddha?
I have chosen to share these Teachings out of compassion for the world.
Compassion (Pāli: karuṇā) is concern for the misfortunes of others.
And due to this compassion, it is important to share Teachings that are
based in wisdom, not belief.
There are countless traditions and ways of sharing those traditions
throughout the world. All of these, in one form or another, are essentially
sharing to cultivate and practice 1.) Universal Love for All Beings 2.) Do No
Harm and 3.) Be a Good Moral Person.
However, the way each tradition is shared and the clarity of those teachings
is unique to each tradition.
The Path to Enlightenment as taught by Gotama Buddha (“The Buddha”)
over 2,500 years ago as documented in The Pāli Canon, is the most clear,
concise, and precise Teachings I have ever encountered that leads exactly
where he said they do, to Enlightenment.
The Enlightened mind is peaceful, calm, serene, and content with joy -
permanently. The Enlightened mind will no longer experience any discontent
feelings such as sadness, anger, frustration, irritation, annoyance, guilt,
shame, fears, boredom, loneliness, shyness, jealousy, resentment, stress,
anxiety, etc.
This is accomplished through not believing The Teachings of The Buddha but
instead, through learning, reflecting, and practicing to discover the truth. The
mind can be trained to eliminate all the conditions that are causing it to be
stuck in the unEnlightened state. Through eliminating the pollution of mind
by training the mind, one can experience liberation of mind, freedom from
strong feelings, peace, Enlightenment.
The Buddha’s Teachings are the only Teachings that I have encountered that
do not rely on belief. With belief, one does not know what is true or false
because they are just believing. Instead, Gotama Buddha’s Teachings are
shared in such a way that, a Practitioner can investigate and examine them
to determine the truth which leads to wisdom and thus, Enlightenment. If one
was to only believe The Teachings of The Buddha, they could not acquire
wisdom nor attain Enlightenment.
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These Teachings are perfectly suited for today’s society where there is a
proliferation of misinformation and untruths. These Teachings, with guidance
from a Teacher, guide a Practitioner to independently discover the truth
through deeply investigating The Natural Laws of Existence (i.e. The
Teachings of The Buddha). Through doing this inner work on The Path to
Enlightenment, one can discover that these Teachings are the solution to the
challenges we experience in the world and the solutions of how to heal from
what hurt us so that we never need to hurt again. The mind can completely
and entirely eliminate 100% of all discontent feelings once it is Enlightened.
This cannot be accomplished through belief.
Instead, a Practitioner needs to be determined, dedicated, and diligent to
doing the inner work to develop the mind and progress towards the
Enlightened mental state by acquiring wisdom.
As far as I have discovered, there are no other teachings on the planet that
can guide an individual to the complete elimination of discontent feelings
through independently verifying the teachings to acquire wisdom. The
Buddha did something very unique during his lifetime that no other person or
Teacher has accomplished.
He independently attained Enlightenment, dedicated the rest of his life to
sharing his independently discovered Teachings guiding countless people to
Enlightenment, and he left his Teachings in such a condition that countless
more people have attained Enlightenment after his death. He meets all the
criteria of a true Buddha. Gotama Buddha was a true Buddha.
My work during this life has been to rediscover these Teachings, in such a
way, that they can now be shared worldwide in the international language of
English so that countless people all throughout the world can attain
Enlightenment during this lifetime and after my death.
The only way to accomplish this goal is to share Teachings that are not
based in belief but instead, are based in independently verifiable truth so that
a Practitioner can acquire wisdom.
These Teachings are clear, concise, and precise. They invite investigation
and examination. Through doing this work, one can gradually train the mind
to gradually practice these Teachings and gradually progress to
Enlightenment. As discontentedness is gradually diminished and then
eliminated from the mind, one can see the truth for themselves that these
Teachings work to guide one to Enlightenment.
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These Teachings lead exactly where Gotama Buddha said they do, to
Enlightenment, and through each individual choosing to attain
Enlightenment, humanity will evolve the human species and at the same time
create “heaven on earth”.
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Why Have I Decided to Reside and Teach in
Thailand in Order to Restore The Teachings of The
Buddha Back into Humanity and Create “Heaven
on Earth”?
1.) Largest Population of Theravada Buddhist Practitioners Anywhere in
the World: Thailand is the largest population of Theravada Buddhist
Practitioners and Teachers anywhere in the world. Theravada Buddhism
considers The Pāli Canon to be the original source Teachings of The Buddha
in The Words of The Buddha. Theravada Buddhism teaches the importance
of not changing The Teachings of The Buddha and practicing The Path to
Enlightenment as a Buddha has taught, without any modifications.
The Pāli Canon is an important text that should not be believed to be the true
Teachings of The Buddha but instead, one can learn, reflect, and practice to
independently verify The Teachings to acquire wisdom observing the truth in
The Teachings as the mind awakens and discontent feelings are gradually
diminished and ultimately eliminated.
Once I dedicate the remaining time of this life sharing these Teachings to
restore them back into the world, the Thai people and all other diligent
Students who choose to learn with me will not ever allow these Teachings to
be changed, modified, degraded, or lost over time. The Thai people and
diligent Students are well aware that since the lifetime of Gotama Buddha,
that is what has occurred and, through having these Teachings restored
during the remaining time of this life, the Thai people and diligent Students
will not allow this to occur again.
The Thai people will support these Teachings and ensure they continue to be
offered in the world for the benefit of “all beings” while being hosted in
Thailand and supported by dedicated Students from many international
locations.
These Teachings have existed in Thailand for 800-1200 years and they have
received significant support from countless people over many generations.
The Thai people understand just how impactful The Teachings of The
Buddha are to their society and for all of humanity. The Thai people can
observe my dedication and commitment to sharing these Teachings, and
where possible, they will support me in sharing these Teachings throughout
Thailand and throughout the world.
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Due to these Teachings existing in Thailand for approximately 800-1200
years, there is a significant amount of infrastructure already created through
over 30,000-40,000 Temples where local Thai people and visitors to Thailand
can actively learn, reflect, and practice these Teachings to acquire wisdom
and then integrate them into their lives. The Temple and Ordained
Practitioner infrastructure is not isolated to only Thailand but extends
throughout the world and is readily accessible to the benefit of “all beings”.
The Thai people have laid the groundwork for these Teachings to now be
shared worldwide through the Temple and Ordained Practitioner foundation
and infrastructure that has been created over multiple generations.
Thailand is a favorite destination for international travelers with many people
visiting Thailand to gain exposure and understanding of these Teachings
allowing them to be learned and then practiced “worldwide”. There is an
international audience that regularly visits Thailand who can learn these
Teachings to then return back to their home country where these Teachings
will be able to take root within all international societies. As these Teachings
flourish around the world, Thailand has the knowledge and resources to
support all of humanity to develop a Temple and Ordained Practitioner
infrastructure that can be created within each individual country based on
the interest of each country to more deeply integrate these Teachings into
their local communities.
2.) Students Have the Ability to Learn and Practice Among Millions of
Practitioners: One aspect of learning and practicing The Teachings of The
Buddha that will aid one’s development and progress towards the attainment
of Enlightenment is, to be part of a Community of Practitioners and Teachers
that can provide guidance for gradual training and gradual practice to
experience gradual progress on The Path to Enlightenment.
Through me residing and teaching in Thailand, Students have the
opportunity to live in a Community of Practitioners and Teachers who are
deeply committed to these Teachings and can serve as a role model for
Students to gain deeper understanding of how to practice these Teachings in
everyday life - even if on a semi-temporary basis during short visits to learn.
Through Students traveling to Thailand to learn while being surrounded by
millions of Practitioners, they can more readily absorb how one might
choose to integrate these Teachings into their daily life through observing
how the people of Thailand live with countless nationalities residing
peacefully and harmoniously with each other throughout the Kingdom of
Thailand. Students will not only be able to learn these Teachings in a
classroom setting at a Temple but, they will also experience day-to-day
interactions with people who are choosing to deeply practice these
Teachings creating “real life lessons” in a “classroom without walls”.
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The entire Kingdom of Thailand can serve as a real life classroom
environment where these Teachings are readily practiced and observable by
those who choose to visit this Kingdom. I often refer to Thailand as “heaven
on earth”.
3.) Can Live With Minimal Expenses: To be able to offer these Teachings at
“no cost” I needed to find a location where I could reside with minimal
expenses. This allows me to live based on donations rather than charging
Students a price for the time, effort, energy, and resources that I expend to
share these Teachings worldwide. This allows me to serve the widest
audience possible without a need to require payment for my services and
The Teachings that are shared.
The basic necessities to live life are readily available and are offered at a
minimal cost in Thailand. This provides me the ability to live a basic lifestyle
from donations shared by Students. I am able to purchase food, water,
clothing, shelter, and medical care at a relatively nominal cost. And, services
that I might need to support the development of learning resources are also
readily available at a nominal cost.
Whether it be an audio studio to record an audiobook, printing services,
technology, classroom supplies, or a full range of other needs to support the
continued sharing of these Teachings, Thailand offers these at a nominal
price so that there is the best utilization of any and all donations received.
As a result, I am able to help any and all beings regardless of their financial
situation through creating a lifestyle where I only need basic necessities to
survive and those are provided at a nominal cost while being supported by
donations that are fully utilized by purchasing goods and services that are
made available at a reasonable price.
4.) Healthy Environment to Live Life and Work: A wise choice for a place
to live and teach would need to include a healthy food supply, weather,
environment, and lifestyle. All of these are readily available in Thailand which
is able to support me in leading as healthy of a lifestyle as possible.
The food in Thailand is healthy and readily available. There are many fresh
fruits, vegetables, herbs, nuts, seeds, and other foods that are a regular part
of the Thai food offerings and readily accessible among countless fresh food
markets. This allows me to ingest quality food that is supportive to a long
and healthy life, thus, being able to support the learning of many Students
for as long as possible due to an elongated duration of life.
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Thailand’s weather and environment provides the least impact to the
physical body without significant weather changes or weather events that
can be taxing to one’s physical health.
The Thai economy is conducive to living a balanced lifestyle that supports a
significant amount of time with family and friends. A work-life balance is
highly understood, appreciated, supported, and straight forward to create
while living in Thailand. I am able to remain dedicated and determined in my
work life while also being dedicated to quality time within our immediate
family. This creates the very best environment to ensure consistent health
and longevity of life while enjoying a fulfilling life.
5.) Can Share Teachings Within Thailand Throughout the Day and Can
Share Teachings with the Rest of The World in the Mornings and
Evenings: Through living and sharing these Teachings from Thailand and
needing minimal sleep, I am able to help countless people throughout the
day based on the Thai timezone, while helping countless people in other
timezones during the early morning hours and evenings. This allows me to
be effective at sharing these Teachings around the clock and throughout the
world without any limitations based on restrictive timezones.
The timezone in Thailand is favorable to allowing me to share these
Teachings worldwide without limitations based on the time of day. I can be
helpful from morning, afternoon, and evening where there are Students who
are readily interested to learn - whether in-person or online.
6.) Students Have Easy Access to Visas to Gain Access to Classes,
Courses, and Retreats: To be successful at sharing these Teachings
worldwide, in-person learning is ideal. While there is much that can be
learned online and that is one way to be able to share these Teachings, there
is no better way to develop your life practice than to learn through in-person
access to a Teacher.
Through residing and teaching in Thailand, Students from all over the world
have easy access to classes, courses, and retreats from within Thailand due
to easy access to visas and as a result, me as their Teacher. Thailand does
not have restrictive visa requirements that would bar people from certain
countries which would inhibit “all beings” from gaining access to these
Teachings.
Instead, Thailand is open and accessible to a wide majority of the world and
where needed, I am able to travel.
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I live in Chiang Mai, Thailand which is an international destination for
countless people around the world. I live within a 4000 km distance to fifty
percent (50%) of the world’s population. This means that half of the world’s
population is a short drive or plane ride away. This creates the ability for a
large majority of humanity to more easily gain access to these Teachings.
And, where needed, I am able to easily travel to all other parts of the world
and teach online.
People often travel to Thailand for the sole purpose of learning The
Teachings of The Buddha on The Path to Enlightenment. So, by sharing
these Teachings from within Thailand, there are countless people who are
coming here specifically to learn and practice in the exact location where I
reside and teach.
In conclusion, through residing and teaching in Thailand as a “home-base”, I
am able to readily share these Teachings worldwide and work towards the
restoration of The Teachings of The Buddha back into humanity so that
countless people can attain Enlightenment during this lifetime and after my
death.
Thailand is the perfect location for these Teachings to be shared and to serve
as a “home-base” or “headquarters” for the international community to be
invited and welcomed with “open arms”. There is no other location on earth
that could provide for a better location to share these important Teachings
and to then be preserved for future generations.
The Kingdom is here in Thailand and ready to support you in the
development of your life practice towards the attainment of Enlightenment so
that we can all create “heaven on earth”.
The Teachings are hosted in the east and visible in the west.
They are readily available to you and there will be a period of 1,000 years
that they will “shine in the world” for all those who choose to learn, reflect,
and practice to experience the peace and joy of the Enlightened mind. Then,
with all of us doing the work towards developing our own individual practice
of these Teachings, they will never again diminish, be degraded, or lost.
Once restored, these Teachings can continue to support humanity for the
rest of time.
May you discover the peace and joy of the Enlightened mind in this lifetime.
May you be peaceful, may you be safe, may you be well, and may you be
free of all discontentedness and the suffering it causes.
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Invitation to Learn
I would like to invite you to a kind, compassionate and loving community of
Practitioners to learn and grow with these Teachings.
I would like to invite you to join this online group.
You will find it to be an online learning center for these Teachings and there
is a Teacher there to help provide guidance as you have questions.
Daily Wisdom - Walking The Path with The Buddha
https://www.facebook.com/groups/DailyWisdom999/
Additional Learning
Visit BuddhaDailyWisdom.com where you will discover a full range of
courses, retreats, and online learning resources to assist you on
The Path to Enlightenment.
Donations for Learning
Learn The Teachings of Gotama Buddha that lead to a stable, calm, and peaceful mind.
A more peaceful and loving world where all beings have care and compassion for each
other.
By supporting this learning opportunity, you will learn how to progress along
The Path to Enlightenment and help offer these Teachings to others through online and
in-person learning. Through these Teachings, the world will become a kinder, more
peaceful, and loving society.
Consider contributing $5, $10, $15 or any amount you wish to help us continue to offer
these Teachings to you and others around the world.
You can make a donation for the development and creation of these Teachings to help
you and others using this link.
https://www.buddhadailywisdom.com/supportbuddha
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Created by:
Daily Wisdom - Walking The Path with The Buddha
BuddhaDailyWisdom.com
Facebook:
https://bit.ly/DailyWisdom-Facebook
YouTube:
https://bit.ly/DailyWisdom-Youtube
Podcast:
https://bit.ly/DailyWisdom-Podcast
I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude for the community of
Ordained and Household Practitioners benefiting from the leadership of
Venerable Bhikkhu Kukrit Sotthibalo at Wat Na Pah Pong in Krung Thep,
Thailand for their dedication and diligence in sharing The Teachings of
Gotama Buddha. Their work was the inspiration for
“The Words of The Buddha” book series.
Wat Na Pah Pong
http://watnapp.com
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THE WORDS OF THE BUDDHA
The Path to Enlightenment
Revealing The Hidden
Volume 1
Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to Enlightenment
Volume 2
Walking The Path with The Buddha
Volume 3
Foundation in The Teachings
Volume 4
Exploring The Path to Enlightenment
Volume 5
The First Stage of Enlightenment
(Stream-Enterer)
Volume 6
The Natural Law of Kamma
Volume 7
Breathing Mindfulness Meditation
Volume 8
The Foremost Householders
Volume 9
The Six Sense Bases
Volume 10
The Buddha’s Way
Volume 11
The Realms of Existence
Volume 12
Lowly Arts
Volume 13
Generosity
FREE Download, Print, or Kindle
https://www.buddhadailywisdom.com/freebuddhabooks
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