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.
438


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.
439


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”.
440

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.
441


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”.
442


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.
443


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.
444


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.
445


Wander forth, O Monks, for the welfare of the multitude, for the peacefulness of the
multitude, out of compassion for the world, for the good, welfare, and peacefulness of
heavenly beings and humans.
Teach, O Monks, The Teachings that are good in the beginning, good in the middle,
good in the end, with the right meaning and phrasing.
Reveal the perfectly complete and purified holy life. There are beings with little dust in
their eyes who are falling away because they do not hear The Teachings. There will be
those who will understand The Teachings.
(Gotama Buddha)
(Reference: SN 4.5)
The only “war” worth waging is
the war within the mind.
Win that “war” and you have
“won everything”.
- The Teacher
446

Glossary
Aryan: is a term that was used as a designation by Indo-Iranian people. The
word was used by the Indic people of the Vedic period in India as an ethnic
label for themselves and to refer to the noble class as well as the geographic
region known as Āryāvarta, where Indo-Aryan culture is based. Today, we
translate this word to be “Noble”.
Attention: concentration of the mind on a single object or thought. The action
of paying close observation to something (i.e. focus, alertness,
concentration).
Awareness: knowledge or perception of a situation, fact, or thought.
Craving/Desire/Attachment/Wants/Expectations/Grasping/Holding/Clinging:
a mental longing for something with a strong eagerness. The mind pulling in
a direction for objects of its affection.
Bhikkhuni: an ordained female Student of Gotama Buddha.
Bhikkhu: an ordained male Student of Gotama Buddha.
Buddhawajana: The Words of The Buddha.
Complacency: sluggish mind, laziness, lethargic, lack of motivation or
energy. A feeling of self satisfaction combined with a lack of awareness of
pending trouble or accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or
deficiencies.
Consciousness: refers to your individual awareness of your unique thoughts,
memories, feelings, sensations, and environment; the mind.
Defilement: The Three Poisons, The Three Unwholesome Roots, The Three
Fires; Craving, Anger, and Ignorance (i.e. the unknowing of true reality), or
Greed, Hatred, and Delusion.
Dhamma: Teachings of Gotama Buddha; The Natural Laws of Existence.
Discernment: is wise decision making based in wisdom. Discernment is
helpful to the mind and needs to be cultivated to attain Enlightenment.
Eon: an eon is an incalculable length of time. An eon is so significant and
lengthy that it is immeasurable.
447


Fetter: a taint, an unwholesome quality of the mind, pollution of the mind, a
chain or shackle used to restrain a prisoner, typically placed around the
ankles.
Frivolous Speech (Idle Chatter): is described as speaking “unbeneficially”
and “unpurposefully”. This is typically done with the mind’s craving/desire/
attachment where one may just be rambling pointlessly without any real
purpose or need to speak but instead, just because there is a craving/desire
to talk. There is no purpose or value to the speech. In some cases, one could
be speaking quickly and continuously without the ability for a mutual
conversation.
Goal/Objective/Interest: the object of a person’s ambition or effort; an
aim for a result. To have the intention of achieving something.
Harm: is an injury caused by one being to another being or group of beings
(physical injury, material possessions, reputation, etc.). An individual can
cause harm to another being but, they cannot cause another being to be
discontent. If you cause harm to others, harm will come back to you. This is
unwholesome Kamma or the unwholesome results of your decisions.
Household Practitioner/Householder: a person leading a typical life within
the home environment who is learning and practicing The Teachings of
Gotama Buddha.
Judgment: attempting to determine what is right or wrong for another person
while placing oneself above others with arrogance or pride (i.e. the ego).
Comparing that one is superior or inferior to another person. Attempting to
declare who is wholesome or unwholesome, good or bad. Judgment is
based in “conceit”. Judgment is harmful to the mind and needs to be
eliminated to attain Enlightenment.
Lay Follower/Lay Person: a person leading a typical life within the home
environment who is learning and practicing The Teachings of Gotama
Buddha. A Household Practitioner.
Mind: is our consciousness where all intentions for speech and actions
originate along with our thoughts, ideas, perceptions, feelings, and emotions
arise, are experienced, and then cease to exist.
Non-Judgment: peacefully co-existing with all beings while accepting all
beings “as they are” with loving-kindness and compassion practicing “true
love”.
Pāli: the language used as a source for The Teachings of Gotama Buddha.
448


Pāli Canon or Pāli Text: Gotama Buddha’s full collection of Teachings in the
Pāli language, no longer a spoken language today. All Teachings can be
learned in English. It is not required that you understand Pāli to attain
Enlightenment.
Patience: is the ability to wait, or to continue doing something despite
difficulties, without complaining or becoming annoyed.
Pursue/Pursuit: to continue or proceed along a path or route.
Samsara: The Cycle of Rebirth; The Cycle of New Existence.
Sangha: The Community of Bhikkhunis, Bhikkhus, Novices and Household
Practitioners.
There are also more detailed definitions for specific aspects of The Sangha.
- Ariyan “Noble” Sangha: Community of anyone who has attained any
of the four (4) stages of Enlightenment including Household
Practitioners.
- Bhikkhuni Sangha: Community of female Ordained Practitioners.
- Bhikkhu Sangha: Community of male Ordained Practitioners.
Slander (Gossip): speech or communication that is damaging to the
reputation of an individual/company/organization/country/group of people,
etc., whether true or false.
Sotāpanna: stream enterer, stream winner, the first Stage of Enlightenment.
Tathāgata: A Fully Perfectly Enlightened Buddha, A Fully Perfectly
Enlightened One, A Buddha.
Thought: the action or process of thinking
Wisdom: the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good insight; the
quality of being wise.
449


The Lord’s Prayer
(Explained)
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Our God (The Father) who created heaven, your name is special, unique, and
you are greatly honored.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
I will do the work in this life to improve my life practice, such that, I will aim
to function as a heavenly being practicing these Teachings in a way that is
wise and wholesome, helping to bring the qualities of heaven to earth
through my own practice.
Give us this day, our daily bread.
I will use this day to make things better and improved in my life. Just as
bread nourishes the body, I will use this day to improve the mind and my life.
Forgive us of our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against
us.
Forgive me for the wrongs/harms I have done and those things that I find
challenging to accomplish, just as I will aim to forgive those who do wrongs/
harms against me.
(God has already forgiven us and knows we are not perfect. This is just a way
to admit to ourselves and God that we are not perfect and thanking him for
his forgiveness. This is to admit to ourselves and God that there is still work
to be done in our own life and life practice. This phrase helps to cultivate a
mind of non-judgment towards others realizing, that we cause harm and so
do others. We do not need to hold grudges or resentment, just as God does
not hold grudges or resentment towards us. It helps to cultivate humbleness
in the mind.)
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
I am open to your guidance towards wholesomeness, leading me away from
unwholesomeness, but I realize I am the one that needs to do the work.
450

For thyne is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, Forever and ever,
Amen.
Your wisdom is the perfect place to reside. You are the all powerful and I
glorify you, forever and ever……Amen.
(This is not a rite, ritual, ceremony, or worship but instead, affirmations to
remain determined, dedicated, and diligent in developing your life practice.)
451


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
452

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
453


THE WORDS OF THE BUDDHA
The Path to Enlightenment
Revealing The Hidden
Walking The Path with
The Buddha
Volume 2
1

Note from Author 10
Preface 16
Walking The Path with The Buddha 16
Chapter 1 20
Words Which Should Be Studied, Learned, and Investigated in The Foremost
Assembly 20
Chapter 2 24
One Who Points Out Treasure 24
Chapter 3 29
Rare That A Tathāgata Arises in The World 29
Chapter 4 31
The Perfectly Enlightened Ones in The Past, Future or at Present, Are All
Fully Awakened to The Four Noble Truths 31
Chapter 5 34
The Perfectly Enlightened One 34
Chapter 6 35
Encourage, Settle, and Establish for Making The Breakthrough to The Four
Noble Truths 35
Chapter 7 37
The Four Noble Truths 37
Chapter 8 43
The Two-Eyed Person 43
Chapter 9 45
Wholesome Friendship, Wholesome Companionship, Wholesome
Comradeship 45
Chapter 10 46
The Entire Holy Life Is Wholesome Friendship, Wholesome Companionship,
Wholesome Comradeship 46
Chapter 11 53
The Noble Eight Fold Path The Way of Practice Leading to the Elimination of
Discontentedness 53
Chapter 12 61
2

The World Would Not Lack for Arahants 61
Chapter 13 62
The Difference Between The Tathāgata and A Monk Liberated by Wisdom 62
Chapter 14 64
This Spiritual Life Is Not Lived for The Sake of Deceiving People 64
Chapter 15 68
Both Formerly and Now What The Tathāgata Teaches Is Discontentedness
and The Elimination of Discontentedness 68
Chapter 16 70
Words That Are Just So Not Otherwise 70
Chapter 17 73
The Tathāgata’s Speech 73
Chapter 18 86
The Tathāgata Taught Very Few Compared to Numerous Things He Had
Known 86
Chapter 19 88
Simile of A Man Were Wounded by An Arrow Thickly Smeared with Poison 88
Chapter 20 91
Instruction Usually Presented to His Disciples 91
Chapter 21 95
Seeing Non-Self With Correct Wisdom 95
Chapter 22 97
One Who is Engaged is Unliberated One Who is Disengaged is Liberated 97
Chapter 23 100
Right and Wrong Refuge 100
Chapter 24 102
A Monk Who Is Concentrated Understands Things as They Really Are 102
Chapter 25 103
Gradual Progress in These 103
Teachings and Discipline 103
Chapter 26 112
3

Simile of A Young Infant 112
Chapter 27 115
Killing in The Perfectly Enlightened One’s Teachings 115
Chapter 28 119
The Tathāgata Is The One Who Shows the Way 119
Chapter 29 122
The Simile of The Great Log 122
Chapter 30 128
The Simile of The Tortoise 128
Chapter 31 130
A Strong Post or Pillar Is A Designation for Mindfulness 130
Chapter 32 133
Dwelling in Breathing Mindfulness Meditation 133
Chapter 33 137
Breathing Mindfulness Meditation The Tathāgata’s Dwelling 137
Chapter 34 141
One Who Develops Mindfulness of Death Diligently for The Destruction of
the Taints 141
Chapter 35 143
Direct Knowledge for A Sick One 143
Chapter 36 148
There Is No You There 148
Chapter 37 149
With The Elimination of Excitement Comes The Complete Destruction of
Discontentedness 149
Chapter 38 151
Liberation of The Destruction of Craving 151
Chapter 39 154
The Carrier of The Burden 154
Chapter 40 156
Elimination of Craving is Called The Laying Down of The Burden 156
4

Chapter 41 159
Not Understanding and Not Penetrating The Four Noble Truths 159
Chapter 42 161
The Mind Has Attained The End of Craving 161
Chapter 43 164
In This Fathom-Long Body 164
Chapter 44 167
The Perfectly Enlightened One’s Complexion is No Longer Pure and Bright
The Limbs Are All Flaccid and Wrinkled 167
Chapter 45 170
The Tathāgata’s Final Passing 170
Chapter 46 186
One Who Sees The Teachings Sees Me 186
Chapter 47 189
One Who Resides in The Teachings 189
Chapter 48 193
One Who Has Attained Nibbāna in This Very Life 193
Chapter 49 194
Three Urgent Tasks 194
Chapter 50 196
The Tathāgata Resides Compassionate Towards All Living Beings 196
Chapter 51 199
Four Observable Benefits for One Who Learned The Teachings by Ear 199
Author 205
Restoration of The Buddha’s Teachings 206
The Path to Enlightenment 206
The Goal 208
An Entire Species of Enlightened Beings 208
Why Have I Decided to Teach The Path to Enlightenment as Taught by
Gotama Buddha? 211
5

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”? 214
6

The author is donating 100% of all his proceeds from
this book to charitable work to share The Teachings
of Gotama Buddha.
You are welcome to freely distribute this book.
Please consider providing a donation to support the
continued sharing of these Teachings.
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Learn The Teachings of Gotama Buddha that lead to a stable, calm, and peaceful mind.
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Additional Learning
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The Path to Enlightenment.
7

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
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8

Walking The Path with The Buddha (Volume 2)
Journey through The Words of The Buddha from the beginning of his first
Teaching until his “last words” prior to death.
The book, “Walking The Path with The Buddha” is select Teachings from The
Buddha organized from the largest and most complete collection of The
Buddha’s Teachings on The Path to Enlightenment - The Pāli Canon.
The Pāli Canon, or The Pāli Text, comprises forty-five (45) large volumes of
books where Students from the lifetime of The Buddha captured his
Teachings. The discourses of The Buddha in The Pāli Canon represent the
largest and most complete collection we have of The Buddha’s Teachings in
his own words. The Buddha’s Teachings are scattered over multiple volumes
of books in The Pāli Canon making it challenging for the average Practitioner
to glean the benefit of his Teachings.
The Words of The Buddha book series, has consolidated and organized his
Teachings into a series of books, based on specific topics, with explanations
of The Teachings from a dedicated Practitioner and Teacher.
You will find books such as Breathing Mindfulness Meditation (Volume 7) that
are the consolidated Teachings in The Words of The Buddha related to
meditation. The Natural Law of Kamma (Volume 6) provides Teachings
directly from The Buddha related to the important topic of Kamma. The
Foremost Householders (Volume 8) shares Teachings specifically for
Household Practitioners who are pursuing The Path to Enlightenment where
the mind is peaceful, calm, serene, and content with joy - permanently.
The Words of The Buddha book series will provide a beginning, middle, and
end with detailed Teachings to develop your life practice and the ability to
seek guidance with the author of the book series. Learn, reflect, and practice
The Teachings of The Buddha, in his own words, with guidance from a
Teacher - offered openly and freely to “all beings”.
BuddhaDailyWisdom.com
9

Note from Author
This book shares Teachings from Gotama Buddha to guide Practitioners on
The Path to Enlightenment.
In various settings, Gotama Buddha is sharing Teachings with either a male
or a female - a husband or a wife.
As you learn, reflect, and practice these Teachings from Gotama Buddha,
you should consider The Teachings shared as multi-gendered. So while
Gotama Buddha may be using a specific gender of he/she, male/female, or a
specific title of husband/wife, son/daughter you can apply these same
Teachings to all genders and roles of the opposite of which he was
addressing his Teachings to in the setting in which The Teachings were
originally shared, or use a gender-neutral pronoun.
If Gotama Buddha is sharing Teachings with a man of how to be a
wholesome husband, you can relate this same Teaching for a female of how
to be a wholesome wife. If he is sharing a Teaching with a male of how to be
a wholesome son, you can relate this same Teaching for a female of how to
be a wholesome daughter. You have the freedom to apply these Teachings
using all genders and titles in use today.
Additionally, Gotama Buddha never used rebirth in the heavenly realm nor
rebirth in the lower realms of hell, animal, or afflicted spirits as a way to guilt,
shame, fear, or otherwise motivate people to learn and practice his
Teachings.
When you come to understand Teachings shared by Gotama Buddha related
to these potential future destinations upon rebirth, he is sharing the truth of
what will or will not occur based on specific Teachings based on The Natural
Laws of Existence. The truth he discovered, observed, and experienced as
The Perfectly Enlightened One.
One should in no way consider these Teachings he shared as a way to guilt,
shame, or fear one into learning and practicing his Teachings but instead,
consider that he is sharing the truth of what will or will not occur ensuring
that Practitioners understand the truth related to The Natural Laws of
Existence. Gotama Buddha’s Teachings on The Path to Enlightenment
involve, among other things, the elimination of guilt, shame, and fear. He
would not use guilt, shame, or fear to motivate someone to learn and
practice his Teachings because his most core and central Teaching of The
Four Noble Truths, and everything else he taught, makes it clear that the
objective is to eliminate discontent feelings such as guilt, shame, and fear.
10

Gotama Buddha shared The Teachings as guidance for anyone who chooses
to learn and practice without forceful influence. Through learning, reflecting,
and practicing his Teachings, one comes to understand the truth as the
condition of the mind and the condition of one’s life gradually improve.
It is not possible to forcefully influence one to attain Enlightenment and that
approach was never employed by The Perfectly Enlightened One, and
should never be employed by anyone else. Learning and practicing these
Teachings is through personal free will choice.
A Buddha only points the way, everyone else must strive.
While this book series contains “The Words of The Buddha” as the
foundation and focus of study, the author has provided you content in which
to understand and reflect on his thoughts related to The Teachings shared by
The Buddha.
A reader and, thus, Practitioner should not rely solely on the author’s content
in their reflection on The Teachings from Gotama Buddha. The author’s
content is to provide you guidance towards understanding but it is you, the
Practitioner, who needs to deeply investigate “The Words of The Buddha” to
determine the truth for yourself. You should not be limited to only what the
author has provided by way of meaning and understanding of “The Words of
The Buddha”. Instead, learn, reflect, practice, and seek guidance from a
Teacher to support you in gaining wisdom. The mind is liberated through
wisdom.
To gain the most benefit from “The Words of The Buddha” book series,
it is suggested that you start with (Volume 1), “Developing a Life
Practice: The Path That Leads to Enlightenment”. That book will provide
a framework to understand all of Gotama Buddha’s Teachings in the
entire book series. Without reading that book first, a Practitioner will
find it very challenging to start with learning from “The Words of The
Buddha”.
FREE Download, Print, or Kindle
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11

The Problem - The Wisdom of Enlightenment Has Been Lost
Gotama Buddha lived over 2,500 years ago sharing The Teachings that lead
to Enlightenment.
During his lifetime, it was well known to people who were learning, reflecting,
and practicing with him as their Teacher, exactly what Enlightenment is and
how to attain it.
This wisdom remained for 500 years after the death of The Buddha. But
thereafter, this wisdom has gradually declined and diminished to the point
where we are today, 2,500 years later. Gotama Buddha predicted this would
occur.
The vast majority of the world does not understand what Enlightenment is
and how to attain it. The Path to Enlightenment, while once was strong and
vibrant during the lifetime of The Buddha, has now practically disappeared.
There are very few beings in existence today who understand what
Enlightenment is and how to attain it.
The Universal Truth of Impermanence has drastically affected humanity’s
understanding of The Path to Enlightenment.
This occurred through the lack of focus and diligence to maintain The
Teachings of The Buddha as vibrantly as existed during his lifetime. People
gradually and slowly mixed and blended various traditions and thoughts into
The Buddha’s Teachings which, while perhaps well intended, have only
served to dilute humanity’s understanding of The Path to Enlightenment and,
thus, have made it extremely difficult for countless beings to experience
Enlightenment.
Enlightenment is a peaceful, calm, serene, and content mind with joy that is
permanent. The Enlightened mind no longer experiences any discontent
feelings. All discontentedness such as sadness, anger, frustration, irritation,
annoyance, guilt, shame, fears, boredom, loneliness, shyness, jealousy,
resentment, stress, anxiety, etc., has been completely eliminated from the
Enlightened mind.
Gotama Buddha’s objective is for his Teachings to be shared worldwide so
that all beings can experience the Enlightened mental state. However, during
his lifetime, it was impossible to share his Teachings worldwide. It has now
come to us to be able to actively learn, reflect, and practice his Teachings, in
such a way, that they are restored and shining in the world so that countless
12

individuals can attain Enlightenment today and in multiple generations to
come.
But, in order to accomplish this goal, we will need to stay determined,
dedicated, and diligent to learning, reflecting, and practicing The Teachings
of The Buddha that he shared over 2,500 years ago. We will need to be
diligent to ensure that we are not diluting his Teachings through mixing
various traditions and practices that are not part of The Path to
Enlightenment.
Every Practitioner will need to decide, are they interested in being part of the
problem or part of the solution.
The solution takes time, effort, energy, and resources to be committed
enough to restoring The Buddha’s Teachings back into humanity, in such a
way, that is highly beneficial to countless individuals today and long into the
future.
Remaining part of the problem requires no time, effort, energy, or resources.
It just requires continued complacency and lack of attention to the active
learning, reflecting, and practicing of “The Words of The Buddha”. I suggest
it would be unwise to remain part of the problem as one will continue to
experience discontentedness and the suffering it causes.
The Solution - Restoring The Buddha’s Teachings Back into Humanity
If you would like to be part of the solution, I would like to encourage you to
actively learn, reflect, and practice The Teachings of The Buddha, in such a
way, that does not include the diluting or mixing of his Teachings with other
traditions. It is The Teachings of The Buddha that lead to Enlightenment, not
those that are blended and mixed that only serve to dilute The Path to
Enlightenment for all those who aspire to experience Enlightenment.
The primary obstacle or obstruction that hinders Practitioners from the
attainment of Enlightenment is ignorance (unknowing of true reality). This is a
taint/pollution of mind where the Practitioner lacks wisdom to understand the
true Path to Enlightenment. This unknowing of true reality creates an
obstacle or obstruction that keeps the mind trapped in the unEnlightened
state continuing to experience continued discontentedness and the suffering
it causes. The only way to remove this hindrance is to seek guidance with a
Teacher in the true Teachings of The Buddha using The Words of The
Buddha. It is The Teachings of The Buddha that will awaken the mind to
Enlightenment through independent verification of his Teachings to acquire
wisdom, thus, removing this obstruction to Enlightenment.
13

Through dedication to restoring The Teachings of The Buddha within your
own life practice by acquiring wisdom using The Words of The Buddha, you
are doing your part to contribute to restoring his Teachings back into
humanity for the benefit of countless beings that exist now and long into the
future. All of humanity can evolve so that everyone can attain Enlightenment
creating the most peaceful world we have ever imagined. It will be like
“heaven on earth”.
You are invited to join this Community to only learn and practice “The Words
of The Buddha”, in such a way, that leads to your Enlightenment and the
restoration of The Buddha’s Teachings so that you and countless beings can
experience the peacefulness, liberation of mind, and complete elimination of
discontentedness and the suffering it causes, known as Enlightenment.
The Words of The Buddha Book Series
https://www.buddhadailywisdom.com/freebuddhabooks
“Thank you” for choosing to learn and
practice Gotama Buddha’s Teachings.
You are making the world a better place
through developing your life practice based
on “The Words of The Buddha”.
14

Continue to read and understand “The Words of The Buddha - The Path to
Enlightenment - Revealing The Hidden” book series that has been laid out
for all of us to achieve a better way of life.
You can connect to a group of people in a supportive environment for
discussion, sharing, and learning through the Facebook group.
Daily Wisdom - Walking The Path with The Buddha
https://www.facebook.com/groups/DailyWisdom999/
All members are accepted without judgment. It is a healthy place to talk,
discuss, learn, and grow. There are resources to help you further on this
Path to Enlightenment accessible online through a Group Learning
Program.
Group Learning Program: LIVE Interactive Online Classes, Books,
Audiobooks, Videos, Podcast and Personal Guidance are available for you.
15

Preface
Walking The Path with The Buddha
This book is dedicated to “you” and the complete elimination, destruction,
and cessation of suffering or “discontentedness” of the mind. Thus, this
book is dedicated to the elimination of discontentedness and the suffering
that it causes in the entire world.
The Teachings in this book series, with some effort on your part, will lead you
to everlasting peace - a peaceful mind and a peaceful life. It’s your personal
choices, with these Teachings serving as a guide, that will bring you these
results.
We are all walking towards the darkness or towards the light. Which
direction you walk is completely your choice.
This book and Teachings are meant to guide you in learning, reflecting, and
practicing The Teachings of The Perfectly Enlightened Buddha who lived
over 2,500 years ago.
The Teachings of The Buddha are timeless, meaning they are just as
applicable today as they were 2,500 years ago.
Gotama Buddha’s Teachings are not a religion but instead, a “better way of
life”. Through learning, reflecting, and practicing these Teachings to
independently verify the truth, the mind will acquire wisdom awakening to
Enlightenment.
It is suggested that you first read “Developing a Life Practice: The Path That
Leads to Enlightenment” (Volume 1) of this same book series while seeking
guidance from a Teacher. It is that book that provides a Practitioner with a
solid foundation in developing a life practice that will lead to the Enlightened
mind.
In order to progress on The Path to Enlightenment, a Practitioner will need a
Teacher to receive guidance. One would not be able to only read a book and
attain the results of an Enlightened mind.
Nothing in Gotama Buddha’s Teachings is based on belief. A Buddha has
already done the hard work of figuring out how to attain Enlightenment. You
just need to learn and practice his Teachings to improve the condition of the
mind and your life.
16

All his Teachings can be learned and practiced to independently observe the
truth as the mind “gradually” acquires wisdom through independent
verification of his Teachings and through practice of his Teachings.
This new found wisdom “gradually” improves the way the mind functions in
the world through eliminating discontentedness of mind. The mind can
completely eliminate all discontent feelings such as sadness, anger,
frustration, irritation, annoyance, guilt, shame, fears, boredom, loneliness,
shyness, jealousy, resentment, stress, anxiety, etc. on The Path to
Enlightenment.
Through learning and practicing Gotama Buddha’s Teachings with guidance,
the mind becomes Enlightened in that you can observe the improvement in
the condition of the mind as you eliminate all discontent feelings where the
mind can reside peaceful, calm, serene, and content with joy - permanently.
You are not believing The Teachings wishing for a positive outcome at some
point in the future or after death. Instead, you are observing the
improvements to the condition of the mind right now - in the present
moment.
Only a Buddha would be able to attain Enlightenment on their own without
Teachers. These are some of the criteria that make a Buddha a Buddha is
that they discover The Teachings on their own attaining Enlightenment
without help from a Teacher, shares their independently discovered
Teachings to guide countless others to Enlightenment during the remaining
time of their life, and they leave their Teachings in a condition that they guide
countless others to Enlightenment after their death.
The last Buddha currently known to the world existed over 2,500 years ago.
That means you and everyone else will need Teachers on this Path to
Enlightenment.
Your journey to learn, reflect, and practice these Teachings is significantly
improved through making the choice to learn directly with “The Words of The
Buddha”.
Today, there are many resources for Teachings described as Buddhist or
originating with The Buddha. But, it is only when a Practitioner chooses to
investigate “The Words of The Buddha” being sourced directly from the
original source, The Pāli Canon, that a Practitioner will come to understand
the truth of what The Buddha actually taught and be able to implement these
Teachings into your daily life to experience the results of Enlightenment.
17

Through learning and practicing Gotama Buddha’s Teachings, in his own
words, The Perfectly Enlightened One’s wisdom can penetrate the mind and
you can experience the breakthrough to realizing the Enlightened mind.
I have significant gratitude, appreciation, admiration, and respect for Master
Teacher Gotama Buddha as his Teachings lead exactly where he said they
would. To a steady, calm, stable, and unshakable mind, known as
Enlightenment.
There are countless unknown and unnamed individuals who are responsible
for these Teachings reaching you in this book series. These Teachings have
been preserved throughout history over the last 2,500 years through the
tireless efforts of Ordained and Household Practitioners. These Teachings
have been preserved and shared from one generation to the next because
they work.
It is now up to us to learn, reflect, and practice these Teachings to
experience the Enlightened mind, so that we may benefit from an improved
existence while also preserving these Teachings for future generations in our
hearts and minds.
While books are an outstanding tool to capture The Teachings and share
them worldwide, there is nothing more significant than having massive
numbers of Enlightened beings in the world who can directly share these
Teachings with those who choose to seek guidance in developing their life
practice on The Path to Enlightenment. Each of us individually and
collectively, are just one link in a long chain of Practitioners and Teachers
spanning over 2,500 years.
What we choose to do in this time and place will determine how vibrant and
sustaining these Teachings are for future generations. It is our work and
effort to seek our own Enlightenment that we will experience results for our
own mind and lay the groundwork for countless more beings after us to
experience the same freedom of mind that you are now choosing to pursue.
Many people are interested in improving the world, but do not know how. It
is only when we are dedicated to improving our own wisdom, moral conduct,
and mental discipline that we will improve the world. Through improving our
own life practice through learning “The Words of The Buddha” then, we will
have collectively improved the world.
The problem that the unEnlightened mind is experiencing is not the outside
world, but the inner world. Training the mind, the inner world, is what
produces a peaceful existence. You can’t control other people and what they
18

do. You can only decide to train your own mind to be unaffected by what
others do.
It is a real struggle to exist in a world that the mind does not understand. It is
“The Words of The Buddha” that explains The Natural Laws of Existence
guiding the mind to acquire deep wisdom to make better free will decisions
through a purified mind.
Master Teacher Gotama Buddha
(The Tathāgata)
19


Chapter 1
Words Which Should Be Studied, Learned, and
Investigated in The Foremost Assembly
And what is the assembly trained in investigation, not in conceited talk.
Here, in this kind of assembly, when those discourses are being recited that
are mere poetry composed by poets, beautiful in words and phrases,
created by outsiders, spoken by (their) disciples, the Monks are not
interested to listen to them, do not lend an ear to them, or apply their minds
to understand them; they do not think those teachings should be studied
and learned.
But when those discourses spoken by The Tathāgata are being recited that
are deep, deep in meaning, world-transcending, connected with emptiness,
the Monks are interested to listen to them, lend an ear to them, and apply
their minds to understand them; they think those Teachings should be
studied and learned. And having learned those Teachings, they question
each other about them and investigate them thoroughly, (asking): How is
this? What is the meaning of this? (They) disclose to (others) what is obscure
and clarify what is unclear, and dispel their confusion about numerous
misunderstandings.
This is called the assembly trained in investigation, not in conceited talk.
And what is the assembly trained in conceited talk, not in investigation.
Here, in this kind of assembly, when those discourses are being spoken by
The Tathāgata are being recited that are deep, deep in meaning, world-
transcending, connected with emptiness, the Monks are not interested to
listen to them, do not lend an ear to them, or apply their minds to understand
them; they do not think those Teachings should be studied and learned.
But when those discourses are being recited that are mere poetry composed
by poets, beautiful in words and phrases, created by outsiders, spoken by
(their) disciples, they are interested to listen to them, lend an ear to them,
and apply their minds to understand them; they think those teachings should
be studied and learned. And having learned those teachings, they do not
question each other about them or investigate them thoroughly, [asking]:
How is this? What is the meaning of this? They do not disclose [to others]
what is obscure and clarify what is unclear, or dispel their confusion about
numerous misunderstandings.
20


This is called the assembly trained in conceited talk, not in investigation.
These, Monks, are the two kinds of assemblies. Of these two kinds of
assemblies, the assembly trained in investigation, not in conceited talk, is
foremost.
(Reference: AN 2.47)


During the lifetime of the man we now refer to as Gotama Buddha, there were several
communities of roaming Ascetics, also known as “Spiritual Seekers”, whose primary
Teacher claimed it was their teachings which led to Enlightenment.
As Siddhartha Gotama left the royal palace to embark on his journey towards seeking
Enlightenment, he sought training and instruction from one of these Teachers. He spent
time learning the teachings and had mastered the teachings shared by this first Teacher.
The Teacher declared him to be able to fully represent his teachings as a masterful
student now being declared a Teacher. Siddhartha Gotama observed that while he was
declared a master of this community’s teachings in a short time, his mind was still
discontent and lacked the discipline to experience the Enlightened mind. Due to his
continued challenges of a discontent mind, he chose to leave this community and seek
guidance with a new Teacher.
Soon after receiving instruction with his new Teacher, this Teacher also determined that
Siddhartha Gotama had mastered his teachings and declared him to be able to represent
his teachings as a Master Teacher. But, with this second designation of being a Master
Teacher in a second community claiming to have the teachings that lead to
Enlightenment, Siddhartha Gotama observed his mind was still discontent.
Realizing that he had spent the last two (2) years learning two different approaches
towards the attainment of Enlightenment and becoming accomplished in both disciplines
as a Master Teacher, he could observe that the condition of his mind was not yet steady,
stable, unshakable, with peacefulness, calmness, serenity, and contentedness with joy.
He had essentially succeeded at mastering the teachings of two different approaches to
attaining Enlightenment, yet the condition of his mind had not improved to the point of
complete and total peacefulness. He also had not discovered the answers to the initial
questions that ignited his motivation to leave the royal palace and pursue the answers to
why human beings experienced sickness, aging, and death.
He was no closer to understanding the core and central problem he sought to investigate
as he was when he first left the royal palace. While he had mastered two different
disciplines of teachings, he had not solved the challenge of a discontent mind and he did
not have the answers to why human beings experienced sickness, aging, and death.
So, he decided to leave from the communities of wandering Ascetics retreating to
isolation in the forest embarking on a journey of independent investigation of how to solve
the problem of the discontent mind and why human beings experienced sickness, aging,
and death.
21


After a total of a six (6) year journey, four (4) years independently, where he gradually
discovered The Teachings that do indeed lead to Enlightenment, he then returned to
share his independently discovered Teachings with those who chose to learn, reflect, and
practice The Teachings he had discovered.
Now, a Fully Perfectly Enlightened Buddha, Gotama Buddha performed a miracle for five
(5) Ascetics who were then convinced, he had attained Enlightenment.
He delivers his first discourse of The Four Noble Truths helping these first five (5) Students
understand the problem of the unEnlightened mind, the cause of the problem, the
elimination of the problem, and the path leading to the complete elimination of the
problem. His Teachings were detailed and eye opening for these first five (5) Students
who understood, he was surely Enlightened.
But, a Buddha does not rely on miracles to convince large numbers of people that he is,
in fact, a Buddha. Instead, a Buddha skillfully shares his Teachings with others in a
humble way guiding those who choose to learn, reflect, and practice his Teachings
towards the attainment of Enlightenment.
There is no outward physical indication of one who has attained Enlightenment and a
Buddha does not advertise that they are a Buddha, but instead humbly goes about their
objective of sharing their Teachings into the world, in such a way, that will guide countless
people to Enlightenment during their lifetime, and leaves The Teachings in a condition that
after their death, will guide countless more people to the attainment of Enlightenment.
During Gotama Buddha’s lifetime in the region of the world he lived, modern day Nepal
and Northeastern India, there were several communities of roaming Ascetics that
continued to share what they felt were the teachings that lead to Enlightenment. There
were different communities that felt they had discovered The Teachings that lead to
Enlightenment. So, there were many competing views and opinions of what
Enlightenment is, The Teachings to attain Enlightenment, and the methods of training that
would produce Enlightenment.
There were competing communities of Ascetics with a Master Teacher all claiming it was
their teachings that would produce Enlightenment. Various members of these
communities would listen to talks on the teachings and applied various amounts of effort
to implementing the teachings into their daily life.
Due to the environment of competing views and opinions, along with there being no way
to confirm for others that Gotama Buddha was indeed a Buddha, various Teachers shared
their teachings throughout the community.
In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares that there are two different types of
“assemblies” or “communities” that exist.
1.) One trained in investigation of The Teachings, not in conceited talk, and
2.) One trained in conceited talk, not in investigation.
He associates those who are learning, reflecting, and practicing his Teachings as a
community that is trained in investigation of The Teachings, not in conceited talk. And, he
associates those who are interested in listening to the teachings of “mere poets” as a
community that is trained in conceited talk, not in investigation.
22


A Buddha knows with 100% certainty that their Teachings do, in fact, lead to
Enlightenment because they themselves are experiencing the results of the Enlightened
mind. They (1) discover The Teachings through their own independent journey, (2) share
their independently discovered Teachings for the remaining time of their life guiding
countless individuals to Enlightenment and (3) leave The Teachings in such a condition
that after their death countless more individuals will be able to attain Enlightenment.
Not everyone would be interested to necessarily learn, reflect, and practice The Teachings
of The Buddha because it is hard work and requires an extensive amount of energy and
effort to learn, reflect, and train one’s mind to attain Enlightenment.
So, in an environment where individuals are unable to determine that a specific Teacher is
or is not a Buddha and the only way to know whether a certain collection of Teachings
lead to Enlightenment or not is to learn, reflect, and practice The Teachings - there were
many people who did not learn from The Buddha, but instead chose the approach of
listening to Teachers who were speaking “mere poetry composed by poets, beautiful in
words and phrases”. These words are easier on the ears and the mind, thus, no hard
work ensures the mind can remain complacent.
Gotama Buddha would be interested in encouraging people to learn, reflect, and practice
his Teachings helping Students to understand the difference between his Teachings and
those teachings of other Teachers doing so using “Right Speech” which includes not
disparaging or degrading others.
The Buddha, using Right Speech, led his Students to understand the difference between
his Teachings and those of others.
The Buddha, whom not everyone understood was a Buddha, was training his Students in
investigation to uncover the true Teachings that lead to Enlightenment to acquire wisdom,
thus, producing a liberated mind while speaking humbly - without conceit.
But, if one is speaking “mere poetry composed by poets, beautiful in words and phrases”
without benefit of learning, reflecting, and practicing Teachings to acquire wisdom that
improves the condition of one’s mind and their life, these teachings would not lead to
Enlightenment, which would be considered useless by a Buddha as individuals would
gain no tangible benefits from the actual teachings being shared.
23


Chapter 2
One Who Points Out Treasure
Ānanda, I shall not treat you as the potter treats the raw damp clay.
Repeatedly restraining you, I shall speak to you, Ānanda. Repeatedly guiding
you of what to avoid, I shall speak to you, Ānanda. The truly dedicated will
stand [the test].
Regard him as one who points out treasure, the wise one who seeing your
faults guides you of what to avoid. Stay with this sort of Teacher.
For the one who stays with a Teacher of this sort, things get better, not
worse.
(Reference: MN 122 & DHP 76-77)
In order to share The Teachings that lead to Enlightenment, a Buddha or any Teacher,
would need to help Students uncover unwholesome qualities in the mind and in their life
practice while pointing out the cultivation of wholesome qualities. A Student will need to
put their trust in the Teacher while investigating the areas of improvement the Teacher
identifies and shares with the Student.
In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares with one of his closest Students Ānanda
that he will not “repeatedly restrain” him, but instead he will guide him in what to avoid in
regards to unwholesome mental, verbal, and bodily conduct along with all the other
Teachings that are needed to experience Enlightenment.
The Buddha shares that “I shall not treat you as the potter treats the raw damp clay”.
“Raw damp clay” would need to be constantly shaped and molded by “the potter” (i.e.
Teacher). The potter would need to form the clay into the ideal object. So The Buddha is
sharing that he is not going to "repeatedly restrain Ānanda” attempting to shape him into
the ideal person. Instead, he will speak to him and guide him letting him make his own
decisions rather than being constantly shaped by The Teacher.
It is a real “test” of the Student’s mind to understand, acknowledge, and improve their life
practice based on a Teacher’s guidance pointing out areas of improvement. The
unEnlightened mind typically is only interested in hearing pleasing and agreeable words
and the ego does not typically enjoy understanding unpleasing and disagreeable words
from others. So, hearing a Teacher’s guidance to improve one’s life practice needs to be
openly understood by the Student rather than allowing the ego of the unEnlightened mind
to feel rejected or disheartened by a Teacher “who points out treasure”. The “treasure”
that a Teacher points out are those areas they see for a Student to improve and further
progress towards the attainment of Enlightenment.
The “test” is that the Student will need to develop the determination, dedication, and
diligence to actively seek guidance for improvement of their life practice. Without
24


conscious choices to learn, reflect, and practice The Teachings while seeking guidance, a
Student would have no ability to attain Enlightenment. Without understanding the
unwholesome qualities that exist in the Student’s mind to eliminate and the wholesome
qualities to cultivate through a Teacher’s guidance, a Student would have no ability to
progress in their practice to the ultimate attainment of a liberated mind.
A Student will need to be inviting and accepting of a Teacher’s guidance in order to
identify areas of improvement and then learn, reflect, and practice Teachings to improve
their life practice. If a Student allows the ego to block the guidance from the Teacher
while feeling displeasure in the Teacher “pointing out treasure”, they will not “stand the
test” of receiving guidance from the Teacher to progress towards Enlightenment.
A Teacher would need to exert a significant amount of time, effort, energy, and resources
to guide a Student to Enlightenment. A Teacher should not ask for any benefits from their
Students, but instead, await what is given as offerings. A Teacher’s only goal should be to
guide a Student to Enlightenment without any personal gain for themselves whatsoever.
So, a Teacher who takes their time, effort, energy, and resources to “point out treasure”
should be regarded as a “wise one who seeing your faults” will help you to learn, reflect,
and practice The Teachings to attain Enlightenment.
The Buddha’s advice is to “stay with this sort of Teacher” as things only “get better, not
worse”. As the condition of the mind and one’s life, ”only gets better, not worse” when a
Student is open to understanding guidance from a wise Teacher who kindly and patiently
shares areas for improvement while not seeking any benefit from you - their only goal is to
help you. In this type of relationship with a wise Teacher pointing out areas of
improvement as “treasure” to be appreciated based on the goal of helping you, you
should “stay with this sort of Teacher” as things only “get better, not worse”.
Hearing The Hard Truth - Can Trigger Aversion in One’s Own Mind
When sharing these Teachings with Students, there are times when a Student either asks
a question or makes a statement that a Teacher needs to then respond to, in order to help
them, and all individuals, better understand The Path to Enlightenment.
The response, needs to be honest, straight forward, easy to understand, and “the truth”,
while all being wrapped in loving-kindness and compassion.
Even in doing so, hearing the “hard” truth is oftentimes challenging for a Student and can
leave an individual forming a judgment about the Teacher that is untrue and a
misperception.
For example, recently, I was teaching at the Temple and when explaining that it is unwise
to lie, to tell any type of falsehood, a Student asked me to expound upon this Teaching by
providing an example and asking what I might choose to do in that situation.
When explaining how to handle this situation through The Natural Law of Kamma, based
in The Teachings of The Buddha, a different Student hastily commented “I will never do
that”.
25


My response was along the following:
I shared that each person should feel comfortable to do as they please. That I am not
here to convince them of what they should or should not do. Instead, I am sharing what
would lead to the elimination of craving/desire/attachment, and produce the Enlightened
mental state, where the mind is peaceful, calm, serene, and content with joy. A permanent
mental state.
I mentioned, as part of my answer, that while I understand the Student currently thinks in
the way that they currently do, “that they would never do what I suggested”, I explained
that with deeper thought, reflection, and consideration, they might change their decision
on whether or not they might implement what was suggested.
I also shared, that the reason why their mind is currently experiencing discontentedness
and not experiencing permanent peace and joy, is due to the mind not currently
understanding these Teachings and how an individual would need to eliminate its craving/
desire/attachment to get to that peace and joy. That lying, would never produce a
wholesome result (i.e. wholesome Kamma) as it is based in craving/desire/attachment.
The Student appeared to not like to hear this “hard truth” about their own mind and highly
disagreed with what was being shared.
The unEnlightened mind does not know what it does not know, and it is oftentimes
disinterested in “letting go” of its false beliefs, opinions, views, and unwholesomeness.
This is why the “intention of renunciation” is such an important component of The Path to
Enlightenment and the second factor of The Eight Fold Path, a core and central Teaching
of The Buddha.
So, while a person may be interested in the peacefulness and joy of the Enlightened
mental state, the unEnlightened mind is oftentimes truly complacent and disinterested in
implementing change to improve, walking The Path to Enlightenment, developing this
“better way of life”.
It is very challenging to look inward, realize that one is imperfect, and that there is real
work to be done to improve.
Therefore, when hearing the “hard truth”, an individual could potentially decide to push
away the very Teachings that are going to help them to experience the peace and joy they
aspire to experience. The mind’s craving/desiring to continue to do things the way it
currently does, being disinterested to implement change, can produce painful feelings
within the mind, then as part of “wrong view” one could see the Teacher as the problem,
and choose to exercise aversion, pushing away the very thing that would help them - the
Teacher and The Teachings of The Buddha. Oftentimes, this comes with judgment,
looking down on the Teacher thinking, that somehow, they are rude, impolite, unkind,
unfriendly, or disrespectful. They may even judge them as being egotistical and full of
conceit.
When in reality, what a Teacher is doing, is helping the mind of the Student “awaken” to
the very wisdom that it needs to hear to make progress on The Path to Enlightenment.
But, that wisdom is oftentimes a “hard truth” that the unEnlightened is truly not interested
to hear, and due to the mind’s craving/desire and conceit, the mind experiences painful
26


feelings attributing those to The Teacher, when in reality, they are coming from one’s own
mind.
Therefore, it is much easier for the unEnlightened mind to blame the Teacher for the
arising painful feelings, and judge the Teacher, thinking the Teacher has done something
wrong, bad, unwise, or out of their own conceit.
When in reality, the Teacher did the most loving, kind, and compassionate thing they
could ever do. They shared Teachings with the Student, without any expectation of
anything in return, that are going to help them move beyond what they are currently
thinking and closer to this “better way of life” as taught by The Buddha, a peaceful and
joyful mental state that is permanent. It is just that the Student is not understanding that
“better way of life” and thinking that by the Teacher sharing a “hard truth”, and their mind
being uncomfortable with that truth, that somehow the Teacher has done something
unwise or out of conceit.
It is important to understand, the same things that brought someone to The Path to
Enlightenment, oftentimes, are the same things that will turn an individual away from The
Path to Enlightenment.
What I mean by this is, it is the mind’s cravings/desires/attachments/wants/expectations
that have led to all of one’s own discontentedness, difficulties, struggles, and broken
relationships. The mind’s conceit and lack of wisdom, has led to relationships that are not
harmonious. The mind’s aversion has repeatedly pushed people and situations out of
one’s life without actually addressing the core and central problem rooted deep within the
unEnlightened mind, craving/desire/attachment/wants/expectations, and all the other
pollutions of mind - The Ten Fetters.
Therefore, in a situation where the mind is craving/desiring/wanting/expecting the Teacher
to be a certain way, and they do not meet those expectations, the individual’s mind will
become discontent, attribute those feelings to the Teacher, judge the Teacher, and then
push away the Teacher and The Path to Enlightenment.
This is all unfortunate for the Student, because the very Teachings they need to overcome
the pollutions of mind, are no longer accessible to them based on their unwise choice to
push away The Teachings and a Teacher.
So, I recommend understanding that a Teacher is going to “point out treasure” for their
Students. Value that dedication, time, energy, effort, and commitment that the Teacher is
applying to help you, without any expectation of anything in return. Realize, that no matter
how polite, kind, friendly, and respectful the Teacher is being, when a craving/desire/
attachment is triggered within one’s own mind, those painful feelings are not being
caused by the Teacher but instead, one’s own mind.
Practicing aversion, pushing away the Teacher and The Teachings of The Buddha, is not
going to solve the painful feelings. Instead, it will just ensure they continue.
Hearing the hard truth can trigger aversion in one’s own mind because it is trigging
a craving/desire/attachment to appear perfect, smart, intelligent, or to be talked to
in a specific way.
27


But, the most loving, kind, and compassionate thing a Teacher can do, is give you that
“hard truth” so that you know what is “true reality” and have the opportunity to remedy it,
solve it, eradicate it, and get closer to Enlightenment. And, if an individual chooses that
truth is too hard to bear, due to the painful feelings arising in the mind all caused by the
mind itself, and then one negatively judges the Teacher, due to not being perceived by the
Teacher and other members of The Community in a certain way, ultimately choosing to
walk away from the very help that is going to allow the mind to overcome its challenges,
then at least as a Teacher, they will know, “I did the very best thing I could do for this
individual”.
“I told them the truth”, no matter how hard that was for them to hear, and perhaps,
someday, they might consider what was shared and decide to learn, grow, and
evolve based on that “hard truth".
“I told them the truth” and at least now they can choose whether to walk forward towards
an improved way of life or, they can run away from that challenge and “hard truth”,
deciding to remain in the “unknowing of true reality” with a lack of wisdom, choosing to
stay in the darkness.
The Buddha taught, do "not to shrink back from the struggle”. Because, running away
from a “hard truth” will never lead to Enlightenment, or any kind of improvement in one’s
own life.
Someday, you might hear a “hard truth” from your Teacher. I would like you to
understand, that is being shared with the utmost care, politeness, kindness, friendliness,
and respect. It is being delivered with the utmost love and compassion for you.
As The Buddha shares…
One Who Points Out Treasure
Ānanda, I shall not treat you as the potter treats the raw damp clay. Repeatedly
restraining you, I shall speak to you, Ānanda. Repeatedly guiding you of what to avoid, I
shall speak to you, Ānanda. The truly dedicated will stand [the test].
Regard him as one who points out treasure, the wise one who seeing your faults guides
you of what to avoid. Stay with this sort of Teacher.
For the one who stays with a Teacher of this sort, things get better, not worse.
(Reference: MN 122 & DHP 76-77)
28


Chapter 3
Rare That A Tathāgata Arises in The World
Monks, suppose that this great earth had become one mass of water, and a
man would throw a ring with a single hole upon it. An easterly wind would
drive it westward; a westerly wind would drive it eastward; a northerly wind
would drive it southward; a southerly wind would drive it northward. There
was a blind turtle which would come to the surface once every hundred
years. What do you think, Monks, would that blind turtle, coming to the
surface once every hundred years, insert its neck into that ring with a single
hole?
‘It would be rare, Venerable Sir, that the blind turtle coming to surface once
every hundred years, would insert its neck into that ring with a single hole.’
So too, Monks, it is rare that one obtains the human state; rare that a
Tathāgata, an Arahant, a Perfectly Enlightened One arises in the world; rare
that The Teachings and Discipline proclaimed by The Tathāgata shines in the
world.
You have obtained that human state, Monks; a Tathāgata, an Arahant, a
Perfectly Enlightened One has arisen in the world; The Teachings and
Discipline proclaimed by The Tathāgata shines in the world.
Therefore, Monks, an effort should be made to understand: ‘This is
discontentedness’; an effort should be made to understand: ‘This is the
cause of discontentedness’; an effort should be made to understand: ‘This is
the elimination of discontentedness’; an effort should be made to
understand: ‘This is the way leading to the elimination of discontentedness.’
(Reference: SN 56.48)
29


In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares that the arising of a Fully Perfectly
Enlightened Buddha, a Tathāgata, is extremely rare.
It is extremely rare and unique for a Buddha to have arisen in the world, for one to have
obtained the human state during the lifetime of an actual Buddha, and for The Teachings
of a Buddha that lead to Enlightenment to “shine in the world”.
Due to the rare and unique circumstances individuals found themselves in, during the
lifetime of Gotama Buddha, he encouraged them to make an effort to understand The
Four Noble Truths. A Practitioner making the breakthrough to learn, reflect, and practice
The Four Noble Truths will have established “Right View” and be clearly headed in the
direction of Enlightenment, and due to the rare and unique circumstances of having a
Buddha arise, obtaining the human state, and The Teachings shining in the world, this
would be the ideal time for a human being to attain Enlightenment as studying with a Fully
Perfectly Enlightened Buddha would be a significant advantage in one’s own ability to
attain Enlightenment.
30


Chapter 4
The Perfectly Enlightened Ones in The Past,
Future or at Present, Are All Fully Awakened to
The Four Noble Truths
Monks, whatever Arahants, Perfectly Enlightened Ones, in the past fully
awakened to things as they really are, all fully awakened to The Four Noble
Truths as they really are.
Whatever Arahants, Perfectly Enlightened Ones, in the future will fully
awaken to things as they really are, all will fully awaken to The Four Noble
Truths as they really are.
Whatever Arahants, Perfectly Enlightened Ones, at present have fully
awakened to things as they really are, all have fully awakened to The Four
Noble Truths as they really are.
What four?
The noble truth of discontentedness, the noble truth of the cause of
discontentedness, the noble truth of the elimination of discontentedness, the
noble truth of the way leading to the elimination of discontentedness.
Therefore, Monks, an effort should be made to understand: ‘This is
discontentedness'; an effort should be made to understand: ‘This is the
cause of discontentedness’; an effort should be made to understand: 'This is
the elimination of discontentedness’; an effort should be made to
understand: ‘This is the way leading to the elimination of discontentedness.’
(Reference: SN 56.5)


In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares that any Fully Perfectly Enlightened
Buddha, a Tathāgata, in the past, currently, and in the future would need to awaken to the
wisdom of The Four Noble Truths.
The Four Noble Truths is what establishes “Right View” and all other Teachings on The
Path to Enlightenment are built upon learning, reflecting, and practicing The Four Noble
Truths.
A Practitioner would have no ability to attain Enlightenment without learning, reflecting,
and practicing The Four Noble Truths, thus, a Fully Perfectly Enlightened Buddha in the
past, currently, or future would need to understand and practice The Four Noble Truths as
a foundational Teaching that leads to Enlightenment. This Teaching, along with many
31


others, highlights how important The Four Noble Truths are on The Path to Enlightenment.
You will need to learn, reflect, and practice The Four Noble Truths in order to establish
Right View and progress towards the attainment of Enlightenment.
What Does It Mean To Be Awake?
There is a huge fad that has emerged in the world.
Have you heard of someone claiming that they are “awake”? Or, have you heard people
talking about being “woke” in a negative context?
If so, you know of this huge fad I am describing.
But, how many people truly understand what it means to be “awake” or “woke”, as
described and first talked about over 2,500 years ago by “The Buddha”?
As far back as over 2,500 years ago, the individual known world-wide as The Buddha, was
using the term “awake” or “awakened”. So, if we are going to gain an understanding and
appreciation of this word, it would be best to go back to how it was used by The Buddha
rather than, rely on any new modern day definitions or references that may have come
about since his lifetime.
Then, you can have an understanding of the word “awake” from a spiritual context, since
The Buddha is credited with being the first to use this word in a spiritual context.
The word “awake”, “awakened”, or “woke” means to have cultivated wisdom of The Natural
Laws of Existence, to the point where the mind no longer experiences any discontent
feelings. An awakened individual 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.
A person who is awake, will have deep wisdom of the world around them based on The
Natural Laws of Existence. They will be conscious of the harms they have caused in the
past but, choose to no longer cause harm to themselves nor others through their speech,
actions, nor livelihood.
An individual who is awake will not brag nor boast to others that they are awake because,
part of awakening to a higher consciousness is to have eliminated the ego, therefore,
someone without ego would not brag nor boast about anything, especially not being
awake.
To be awake, awakened, or woke is to have trained the mind, purified it of its pollutions, to
be experiencing the Enlightened mental state through the cultivation of wisdom. This is a
mental state that is attainable in this life for one with determination, dedication, and
diligence to actively training the mind over a consistent and long term basis.
Awakening is not sudden and does not occur in an instant. It is through gradual training
and gradual practice that one experiences gradual progress towards the attainment of
Enlightenment.
One of the biggest myths about the life story of The Buddha is, some people think he sat
under a tree, meditated, and instantly attained Enlightenment. That is not what The
32


Buddha experienced. But, do not take my word for it, do not believe me, instead, learn it
from The Words of The Buddha.
“Monks, I do not say that final knowledge (wisdom) is achieved all at once. On the
contrary, final knowledge is achieved by gradual training, by gradual practice, by
gradual progress.” (Reference: MN 70.22)
Awakening, or attaining Enlightenment, is not achieved “all at once” on the contrary, it is
through gradual training and gradual practice that an individual will experience gradual
progress towards the mind becoming free of its pollutions and experience the peace and
joy of the Enlightened mental state.
It took The Buddha six (6) years to attain Enlightenment so, it is going to take you some
time to progress towards awakening. You will not stumble into the Enlightened mental
state, or being awake. Instead, it will be through deliberate and intentional learning,
growing, and developing into a better and better human being, through training of the
mind.
Enlightenment is a permanent mental state so, once attained, the mind will no longer
experience any discontent feelings; experiencing the unconditioned mental states of
peace, calm, serenity, and contentedness with joy - permanently. It is impossible for the
mind to regress out of the awakened mental state.
There will be a high degree of focus, concentration, deep memory, and clarity of mind.
Your personal and professional relationships will be at ease, they will be blossoming,
because there is no longer any bitterness, harshness, or hostility in the mind. You will be
able to be polite, kind, friendly, and respectful to all individuals in all situations.
It will be impossible for the mind to even experience a bad mood any longer, once it is
awake and you are woke.
Therefore, I would say, this is a mental state that everyone and anyone would be
interested to experience.
Yes, it would be excellent for you and everyone you know to be awake, awakened, woke,
or Enlightened.
Then, we can experience the most peaceful, loving, kind, warm, gentle, and
compassionate society we have ever known.
The party is more fun when everyone is awake.
33


Chapter 5
The Perfectly Enlightened One
Monks, there are these Four Noble Truths.
What four?
The noble truth of discontentedness, the noble truth of the cause of
discontentedness, the noble truth of the elimination of discontentedness, the
noble truth of the way leading to the elimination of discontentedness.
It is because he has fully awakened to these Four Noble Truths as they really
are that The Tathāgata is called the Arahant, The Perfectly Enlightened One.
Therefore, Monks, an effort should be made to understand: ‘This is
discontentedness’; an effort should be made to understand: ‘This is the
cause of discontentedness’; an effort should be made to understand: ‘This is
the elimination of discontentedness’; an effort should be made to
understand: ‘This is the way leading to the elimination of discontentedness.’
(Reference: SN 56.23)
In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he establishes yet again, how important and
central The Four Noble Truths are to The Teachings that lead to Enlightenment and that a
Practitioner should make the effort to understand these truths.
34


Chapter 6
Encourage, Settle, and Establish for Making
The Breakthrough to The Four Noble Truths
Monks, those for whom you have compassion and who think you should be
heeded - whether friends or colleagues, relatives or kinsmen - these you
should encourage, settle, and establish for making the breakthrough to The
Four Noble Truths as they really are.
What four?
The noble truth of discontentedness, the noble truth of the cause of
discontentedness, the noble truth of the elimination of discontentedness, the
noble truth of the way leading to the elimination of discontentedness.
Those for whom you have compassion and who think you should be heeded
- whether friends or colleagues, relatives or kinsmen - these you should
encourage, settle, and establish for making the breakthrough to these Four
Noble Truths as they really are.
Therefore, Monks, an effort should be made to understand: ‘This is
discontentedness’; an effort should be made to understand: ‘This is the
cause of discontentedness’; an effort should be made to understand: ‘This is
the elimination of discontentedness’; an effort should be made to
understand: ‘This is the way leading to the elimination of discontentedness.’
(Reference: SN 56.26)


As one learns, reflects, and practices The Path to Enlightenment, the mind and your life
will become more and more peaceful, calm, serene, and content with joy where the mind
will completely eliminate all discontent feelings upon the attainment of Enlightenment.
Having made the breakthrough to The Four Noble Truths and progressing towards
Enlightenment, you will observe how much discontentedness is in the world and beings
roam around unaware of the suffering they are experiencing and causing for themselves.
You may find beings, whether in personal or professional relationships with you, who
might listen to your suggestions that you can encourage them to seek guidance in
pursuing The Path to Enlightenment, so they can help themselves eliminate all
discontentedness in the mind. Because as you observe the life changing improvements to
the condition of the mind and your life, would you really choose to leave those who are
closest to you struggling with discontentedness or would you instead choose to skillfully
introduce them to the option of gaining access to these Teachings?
In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares that anyone who is close to us whom
we feel would listen to our suggestions we might decide to help them to gain access to
learn, reflect, and practice The Teachings on The Path to Enlightenment.
If you choose to introduce the ability for those close to you to learn and practice these
Teachings, you may need to consider skillful ways to suggest one learn, reflect, and
practice these Teachings as you should not be forceful or pushy in your practice of loving-
kindness and compassion to recommending one consider The Path to Enlightenment as
a solution to their discontent mind.
1.) Loving-kindness (Pāli: mettā): is active goodwill towards all beings without
judgment. A genuine interest in seeing all beings be well.
2.) Compassion (Pāli: karuṇā): is concern for the misfortunes of others.
Those who are not familiar with The Path to Enlightenment and have no exposure to The
Buddha’s Teachings, or those who are learning through other traditions of Buddhist
Teachings may be uninterested or offended in the recommendation to explore options to
improve the condition of their mind and their life. If you choose to be forceful or pushy,
this would be due to your own craving/desire/attachment or expectations for a certain
outcome and will not result in a wholesome outcome.
Instead, if you are going to present the option for someone to consider these Teachings
for their life, it is important that you politely, kindly, friendly, and respectfully find a way to
suggest that a person close to you read a book, listen to an audiobook, watch a video,
listen to a podcast, attend a class, and/or seek personal guidance with a Teacher who
can help them learn, reflect, and practice The Teachings to liberate the mind to
Enlightenment.
36


Chapter 7
The Four Noble Truths
Monks, there are these Four Noble Truths.
What four?
The noble truth of discontentedness,
the noble truth of the cause of discontentedness,
the noble truth of the elimination of discontentedness,
the noble truth of the way leading to the elimination of discontentedness.
And what, Monks, is the noble truth of discontentedness?
It should be said: The Five Aggregates subject to clinging; that is, the form
aggregate subject to clinging, the feeling aggregate subject to clinging, the
perception aggregate subject to clinging, the volitional formation aggregate
subject to clinging, the consciousness aggregate subject to clinging. This is
called the noble truth of discontentedness.
And what, Monks, is the noble truth of the cause of discontentedness?
It is this craving which leads to renewed existence, accompanied by
excitement and desire, seeking excitement here and there; that is craving for
sensual pleasures, craving for existence, craving for extermination. This is
called the noble truth of the cause of discontentedness.
And what, Monks, is the noble truth of the elimination of discontentedness?
It is the remainderless fading away and elimination of the same craving, the
giving up and letting go of it, freedom from it, non-reliance on it. This is
called the noble truth of the elimination of discontentedness.
And what, Monks, is the noble truth of the way leading to the elimination of
discontentedness?
It is this Noble Eight Fold Path, that is, Right View, Right Intention, Right
Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right
Concentration. This is called the noble truth of the way leading to the
elimination of discontentedness.
These, Monks, are The Four Noble Truths.
37

Therefore, Monks, an effort should be made to understand: ‘This is
discontentedness’; an effort should be made to understand: ‘This is the
cause of discontentedness’; an effort should be made to understand: ‘This is
the elimination of discontentedness’; an effort should be made to
understand: ‘This is the way leading to the elimination of discontentedness.’
(Reference: SN 56.13)


This is Gotama Buddha’s Teaching on The Four Noble Truths where he explains the
problem of the unEnlightened mind, the cause of the problem, the elimination of the
problem, and the path leading to the complete elimination of the problem.
A Practitioner who learns, reflects, and practices The Four Noble Truths has deeply
established “Right View” and has made the breakthrough towards the attainment of
Enlightenment.
This is a primary, fundamental, and foundational Teaching needed by every Practitioner to
attain Enlightenment.
Detailed explanation of The Four Noble Truths is available in this same book series found
in Chapter 4 of the book “Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to
Enlightenment” (Volume 1).
It is suggested that you first learn The Four Noble Truths through (Volume 1). The
explanation of The Four Noble Truths shared in that book will help you to gain insight into
this important Teaching in a way that can be applied to your life to experience the
breakthrough and establish Right View. (Volume 1) provides extensive details on The Four
Noble Truths and it is best to learn the content in that book prior to investigating what is
shared in this book.
1.) The First Noble Truth titled, “the noble truth of discontentedness”, establishes “the
problem” with the unEnlightened mind through an understanding of The Five Aggregates.
The Five Aggregates are what makes “a being, a being”. A living being will have all five
aggregates, also known as “elements” or “collections”.
The Five Aggregates
Form: the physical body.
Feelings: results of experiences in the mind through The Six Sense Bases.
Perceptions: a belief or opinion based on how things seem.
Volitional Formations: choices or decisions that are made.
Consciousness: the mind.
It is when the mind “clings” or “holds on” to The Five Aggregates that the mind
experiences continued discontentedness. Observing the impermanent nature of The Five
Aggregates, a human being can “let go” no longer experiencing discontentedness due to
“holding on” to The Five Aggregates experiencing constant rebirth in The Cycle of
Rebirth.
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