What Happens at Death?
After we die does the body become soil to the earth or after death what remains?
Isn’t there spirit or energy which exist inside our body? Isn’t there some sort of
energy?
No, at the time of death the body and mind separate and then there is "break up of the
body".
The body was described by Gotama Buddha through The Four Elements of Earth, Wind,
Fire, and Water.
Essentially, the physical body is described and classified into these Four Elements.
Earth: The solids of the body. (hair, teeth, nails, bones, etc.)
Wind: The movement of bodily functions. (Circulation, movement of bile, etc.)
Fire: The temperature of the body.
Water: The liquids of the body. (urine, saliva, blood, pus, tears, etc.)
The physical body is nothing more than these four elements coming together with a mind
or consciousness. The joining of the body and the mind creates a person.
Once the body and mind separate, the body will deteriorate remaining as these four
elements but without a mind or consciousness.
What you are looking at when you see the body is a unique collection of these four
elements that is always in a state of change and upon death, the body will continue that
change and configuration but it will still be just these four elements.
The body will progressively deteriorate and depending whether there is burial or
cremation, will determine how quickly the process of change occurs.
Through burial, the process is much slower. Cremation accelerates the process of change
of these four elements.
What happens to the mind upon death?
If the mind is not yet Enlightened, (i.e. the mind has not yet attained Enlightenment), then
there is rebirth into one of The Five Realms.
Heavenly Realm
Human Realm
Afflicted Spirits Realm
Animal Realm
Hell Realm
Heavenly, Afflicted Spirits, and Hell realms are formless realms. (i.e. there is no physical
form).
166


Human and Animal realms are form realms, (i.e. there is physical form).
Rebirth is not instantaneous and upon rebirth there is a completely new existence with a
new form or formless existence and a new consciousness, (i.e. a new mind).
The new mind will have residual memories of past lives and unextinguished craving/
desire/attachment from past lives. The residual memories of past lives may potentially be
recalled as the mind awakens towards Enlightenment more and more.
If someone attains Enlightenment what happens to the mind? Does it disappear?
If the mind has experienced Enlightenment during the human or heavenly existence or at
death, (i.e. Enlightenment can be attained during an existence in the human or heavenly
realm or at death in those realms but not in the lower realms), the body and mind
separate and what happens next is an "undeclared" Teaching.
To attain Enlightenment, the mind needs to get to the point where there is no craving/
desire/attachment (i.e. mental longing with a strong eagerness) to know what is next.
An Enlightened mind is experiencing so much peace, calm, serenity, and contentedness
with joy that is permanent, the mind is not going to care what is next.
An Enlightened mind has already extinguished all fears including the fear of death,
therefore, the mind is so peaceful and does not fear death so what happens next, the
Enlightened mind does not care.
Having attained Enlightenment, you will know that you are already experiencing complete
and utter peacefulness so if there is something next after death for an Enlightened being,
it is either as good as you are currently experiencing or better.
And, if there is nothing next, then, ok, you are "done".
Either way, the mind needs to "let go" of wanting to know what is next and just focus on
learning and practicing The Teachings with guidance on The Path to Enlightenment to
experience Enlightenment in this life now that you are human.
Is the mind or soul/spirit the same thing?
No they are not.
There is no Teaching from The Buddha that there is or is not a soul/spirit. This is not a
Teaching he shared. He left The Teaching on a soul/spirit as “undeclared".
167

Teachings and Discipline Will Be Your Teacher


How Did The Buddha Die?
Author: Venerable Dr Mettanando Bhikkhu
Published: 15 May 2001 - Bangkok Post
(This article was partially edited by the author of this book series to improve the formatting
and readability, however, the primary content of the article was not edited. Dr Mettanando
Bhikkhu was a physician before becoming an Ordained Practitioner. He was based at Wat
Ratchaorasaram Ratchaworawihan, Thailand at the time that this article was published.)
During Vesak Day, we are informed that it is also the day The Buddha attained Final
Enlightenment. But not many know how The Buddha died. Ancient texts weave two
stories about The Buddha's death. Was it planned and willed by The Buddha, or was it
food poisoning, or something else altogether?
Here’s an account [to help you better understand how The Buddha died].
The Mahaparinibbana Sutta, (Reference: DN 16) from the Long Discourse of The Pāli
Canon, is without doubt the most reliable source for details on the death of Siddhattha
Gotama (BCE 563-483), The Buddha. It is composed in a narrative style that allows
readers to follow the story of the last days of The Buddha, beginning a few months before
he died.
To understand what really happened to The Buddha is not a simple matter, though. The
sutta, or discourse, paints two conflicting personalities of The Buddha, one overriding the
other.
The first personality was that of a miracle worker who beamed himself and his entourage
of Monks across the Ganges River (D II, 89), who had a divine vision of the settlement of
gods on earth (D II, 87), who could live until the end of the world on condition that
someone invite him to do so (D II, 103), who determined the time of his own death (D II,
105), and whose death was glorified by the shower of heavenly flowers and sandal
powder and divine music (D II, 138).
The other personality was that of an aged being who was failing in health (D II, 120), who
almost lost his life because of a severe pain during his last retreat at Vesali (D II, 100), and
who was forced to come to terms with his unexpected illness and death after consuming
a special cuisine offered by his generous host.
These two personalities take turns emerging in different parts of the narrative. Moreover,
there also appear to be two explanations of The Buddha's cause of death: One is that the
Buddha died because his attendant, Ānanda, failed to invite him to live on to the age of
the world or even longer (D II, 117). The other is that he died by a sudden illness which
began after he ate what is known as "Sukaramaddava" (D II, 127-157).
The former story was probably a legend, or the result of a political struggle within the
Buddhist community during a stage of transition, whereas the latter sounds more realistic
and accurate in describing a real life situation that happened in The Buddha’s last days.
168


A number of studies have focused on the nature of the special cuisine that The Buddha
ate during his last meal as being the agent of his death. However, there is also another
approach based on the description of the symptoms and signs given in the sutta, which
modern medical knowledge can shed light on.
In another mural painting at Wat Ratchasittharam, The Buddha is approaching death, but
he still takes time to answer questions put forth by the Ascetic Subhadda, his last convert
who, after being admitted to the Buddhist Order, became an Arahant (An Enlightened
Being).
What We Know
In the Mahaparinibbana Sutta, we are told that The Buddha became ill suddenly after he
ate a special delicacy, Sukaramaddava, literally translated as "soft pork", which had been
prepared by his generous host, Cunda Kammaraputta. The name of the cuisine has
attracted the attention of many scholars, and it has been the focus of academic research
on the nature of the meal or ingredients used in the cooking of this special dish.
The sutta itself provides details concerning the signs and symptoms of his illness in
addition to some reliable information about his circumstances over the previous four
months, and these details are also medically significant.
The sutta begins with King Ajatasattus’ plot to conquer a rival state, Vajji. The Buddha
had journeyed to Vajji to enter his last rainy-season retreat. It was during this retreat that
he fell ill. The symptoms of the illness were sudden, severe pain.
However, the sutta provides no description of the location and character of his pain. It
mentions his illness briefly, and says that the pain was intense, and almost killed him.
Subsequently, The Buddha was visited by Māra, the Evil One, who invited him to pass
away. The Buddha did not accept the invitation right away. It was only after Ānanda, his
attendant, failed to recognize his hint for an invitation to remain that he died. This piece of
the message, though tied up with myth and supernaturalism, gives us some medically
significant information. When the sutta was composed, its author was under the
impression that The Buddha died, not because of the food he ate, but because he already
had an underlying illness that was serious and acute-and had the same symptoms of the
disease that finally killed him.
The Timing
[The] Theravada Buddhist tradition has adhered to the assumption that the historical
Buddha passed away during the night of the full moon in the lunar month of Vesak (which
falls sometime in May to June). But the timing contradicts information given in the sutta,
which states clearly that the Buddha died soon after the rainy-season retreat, most likely
during the autumn or mid-winter, that is, November to January.
A description of the miracle of the unseasonal blooming of leaves and flowers on the sala
trees, when The Buddha was laid down between them, indicates the timeframe given in
the sutta.
169


Autumn and winter, however, are seasons that are not favorable for the growth of
mushrooms, which some scholars believe to be the source of the poison that The Buddha
ate during his last meal.
Diagnosis
The sutta tells us that The Buddha felt ill immediately after eating the Sukaramaddava.
Since we do not know anything about the nature of this food, it is difficult to name it as
the direct cause of The Buddha's illness. But from the descriptions given, the onset of the
illness was quick.
While eating, he felt there was something wrong with the food and he suggested his host
have the food buried. Soon afterward, he suffered severe stomach pain and passed blood
from his rectum.
We can reasonably assume that the illness started while he was having his meal, making
him think there was something wrong with the unfamiliar delicacy. Out of his compassion
for others, he had it buried.
Was food poisoning the cause of the illness? It seems unlikely. The symptoms described
do not indicate food poisoning, which can be very acute, but would hardly cause diarrhea
with blood. Usually, food poisoning caused by bacteria does not manifest itself
immediately, but takes an incubation period of two to 12 hours to manifest itself, normally
with acute diarrhea and vomiting, but not the passage of blood.
Another possibility is chemical poisoning, which also has an immediate effect, but it is
unusual for chemical poisoning to cause severe intestinal bleeding. Food poisoning with
immediate intestinal bleeding could only have been caused by corrosive chemicals such
as strong acids, which can easily lead to immediate illness. But corrosive chemicals
should have caused bleeding in the upper intestinal tract, leading to vomiting blood. None
of these severe signs are mentioned in the text.
(NOTE from author of this book series: Chemicals were not yet invented during the
lifetime of The Buddha.)
Peptic ulcer diseases can be excluded from the list of possible illnesses as well. In spite
of the fact that their onset is immediate, they are seldom accompanied by bloody stool. A
gastric ulcer with intestinal bleeding produces black stool when the ulcer penetrates a
blood vessel. An ulcer higher up in the digestive tract would be more likely to manifest
itself as bloody vomiting, not a passage of blood through the rectum.
Other evidence against this possibility is that a patient with a large gastric ulcer usually
does not have an appetite. By accepting the invitation for lunch with the host, we can
assume that The Buddha felt as healthy as any man in his early 80s would feel. Given his
age we cannot rule out that The Buddha did not have a chronic disease, such as cancer
or tuberculosis or a tropical infection such as dysentery or typhoid, which could have
been quite common in The Buddha’s time.
These diseases could produce bleeding of the lower intestine, depending on their
location. They also agree with the history of his earlier illness during the retreat. But they
can be ruled out, since they are usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as
170


lethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss, growth or mass in the abdomen. None of these
symptoms were mentioned in the sutta.
A large hemorrhoid can cause severe rectal bleeding, but it is unlikely that a hemorrhoid
could cause severe abdominal pain unless it is strangulated. But then it would have
greatly disturbed the walking of The Buddha to the house of his host, and rarely is
hemorrhoid bleeding triggered by a meal.
Mesenteric Infarction
A disease that matches the described symptoms-accompanied by acute abdominal pain
and the passage of blood, commonly found among elderly people, and triggered by a
meal-is mesenteric infarction, caused by an obstruction of the blood vessels of the
mesentery. It is lethal. Acute mesenteric ischemia (a reduction in the blood supply to the
mesentery) is a grave condition with a high rate of mortality.
The mesentery is a part of the intestinal wall that binds the whole intestinal tract to the
abdominal cavity. An infarction of the vessels of the mesentery normally causes the death
of the tissue in a large section of the intestinal tract, which results in a laceration of the
intestinal wall.
This normally produces severe pain in the abdomen and the passage of blood. The
patient usually dies of acute blood loss. This condition matches the information given in
the sutta. It is also confirmed later when The Buddha asked Ānanda to fetch some water
for him to drink, indicating intense thirst.
As the story goes, Ānanda refused, as he saw no source for clean water. He argued with
The Buddha that the nearby stream had been muddied by a large caravan of carts. But
The Buddha insisted he fetch water anyway.
A question arises at this point: Why did The Buddha not go to the water himself, instead
of pressing his unwilling attendant to do so? The answer is simple. The Buddha was
suffering from shock caused by severe blood loss. He could no longer walk, and from
then to his death bed he was most likely carried on a stretcher.
If this was indeed the situation, the sutta remains silent about The Buddha’s traveling to
his deathbed, possibly because the author felt that it would be an embarrassment for The
Buddha. Geographically, we know that the distance between the place believed to be the
house of Cunda and the place where The Buddha died was about 15 to 20 kilometers. It
is not possible for a patient with such a grave illness to walk such a distance.
More likely, what happened was that The Buddha was carried on a stretcher by a group of
Monks to Kusinara (Kushinagara).
It remains a point of debate whether The Buddha really determined to pass away at this
city, presumably not much larger than a town. From the direction of The Buddha's
journey, given in the sutta, he was moving north from Rajagaha. It is possible that he did
not intend to die there, but in the town where he was born, which would have taken a
period of three months to reach.
From the sutta, it is clear that The Buddha was not anticipating his sudden illness, or else
he would not have accepted the invitation of his host.
171


Kusinara was probably the nearest town where he could find a doctor to take care of him.
It is not difficult to see a group of Monks hurriedly carrying The Buddha on a stretcher to
the nearest town to save his life.
Before passing away, The Buddha told Ānanda that Cunda was not to be blamed and that
his death was not caused by eating Sukaramaddava. The statement is significant. The
meal was not the direct cause of his death. The Buddha knew that the symptom was a
repeat of an experience he’d had a few months earlier, the one which had almost killed
him.
Sukaramaddava, no matter the ingredients or how it was cooked, was not the direct
cause of his sudden illness.
Progression of the Disease
Mesenteric infarction is a disease commonly found among elderly people, caused by the
obstruction of the main artery that supplies the middle section of the bowel-the small
intestine-with blood. The most common cause of the obstruction is the degeneration of
the wall of the blood vessel, the superior mesenteric artery, causing severe abdominal
pain, also known as abdominal angina.
Normally, the pain is triggered by a large meal, which requires a higher flow of blood to
the digestive tract. As the obstruction persists, the bowel is deprived of its blood supply,
which subsequently leads to an infarction, or gangrene, of a section of the intestinal tract.
This in turn results in a laceration of the intestinal wall, profuse bleeding into the intestinal
tract, and then bloody diarrhea.
The disease gets worse as the liquid and content of the intestine oozes out into the
peritoneal cavity, causing peritonitis or inflammation of the abdominal walls. This is
already a lethal condition for the patient, who often dies due to the loss of blood and
other fluid. If it is not corrected by surgery, the disease often progresses to septic shock
due to bacterial toxins infiltrating the blood stream.
Retrospective Analysis
From the diagnosis given above, we can be rather certain that The Buddha suffered from
mesenteric infarction caused by an occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery. This was
the cause of the pain that almost killed him a few months earlier during his last rainy-
season retreat.
With the progress of the illness, some of the mucosal lining of his intestine sloughed off,
and this site became the origin of the bleeding.
Arteriosclerosis, the hardening of the vessel wall caused by aging, was the cause of the
arterial occlusion, a small blockage that did not result in bloody diarrhea, but is a
symptom, also known to us as abdominal angina.
He had his second attack while he was eating the Sukaramaddava. The pain was
probably not intense in the beginning, but made him feel that there was something wrong.
172


Suspicious about the nature of the food, he asked his host to have it all buried, so that
others might not suffer from it.
Soon, The Buddha realized that the illness was serious, with the passage of blood and
more severe pain in his abdomen. Due to the loss of blood, he went into shock. The
degree of dehydration was so severe that he could not maintain himself any longer and he
had to take shelter at a tree along the way.
Feeling very thirsty and exhausted, he got Ānanda to collect water for him to drink, even
though he knew that the water was muddied. It was there that he collapsed until his
entourage carried him to the nearest town, Kusinara, where there would have been a
chance of finding a doctor or lodging for him to recover in.
It was probably true that The Buddha got better after drinking to replace his fluid loss,
and resting on the stretcher. The experience with the symptoms told him that his sudden
illness was the second attack of an existing disease. He told Ānanda that the meal was
not the cause of his illness, and that Cunda was not to blame.
A patient with shock, dehydration and profuse blood loss usually feels very cold. This was
the reason why he told his attendant to prepare a bed using four sheets of ifsanghati nf.
According to Buddhist monastic discipline, a ifsanghati nfis a cloak, or extra piece of
robe, very large, the size of a bed sheet, which The Buddha allowed Ordained
Practitioners to wear in winter.
This information reflects how cold the Buddha felt because of his loss of blood. Clinically,
it is not possible for a patient who is in a state of shock with severe abdominal pain, most
likely peritonitis, pale and shivering, to be ambulatory.
The Buddha was most likely put into a lodging, where he was nursed and warmed,
located in the city of Kusinara. This view is also confirmed with the description of Ānanda
who, weeping, swoons and holds onto the door of his lodge after learning that The
Buddha was about to pass away.
Normally, a patient with mesenteric infarction could live 10 to 20 hours. From the sutta we
learn that The Buddha died about 15 to 18 hours after the attack. During that time, his
attendants would have tried their best to comfort him, for example, by warming the room
where he was resting, or by dripping some water into his mouth to quench his lingering
thirst, or by giving him some herbal drinks. But it would be highly unlikely that a shivering
patient would need someone to fan him as is described in the sutta.
Off and on, he may have recovered from a state of exhaustion, allowing him to continue
his dialogues with a few people. Most of his last words could have been true, and they
were memorized by generations of Monks until they were transcribed. But finally, late into
the night, The Buddha died during a second wave of septic shock. His illness stemmed
from natural causes coupled with his age, just as it would for anyone else.
Conclusion
The hypothesis outlined above explains several scenes in the narrative of the sutta,
namely, the pressuring of Ānanda to fetch water, The Buddha’s request for a fourfold
cloak for his bed, the ordering of the meal to be buried, and so on.
173


It also reveals another possibility of the actual means of transportation of The Buddha to
Kusinara and the site of his death bed. Sukaramaddava, whatever its nature, was unlikely
to have been the direct cause of his illness. The Buddha did not die by food poisoning.
Rather, it was the size of the meal, relatively too large for his already troubled digestive
tract, that triggered the second attack of mesenteric infarction that brought an end to his
life.
Author’s Thoughts
Due to their importance, The Words of The Buddha book series have the last words of
The Buddha in multiple places throughout the book series.
You can investigate these chapters, which some of them are the same. There are basically
two different chapters being repeated throughout the book series in all of these books
and chapters.
Volume 2 - Chapter 45
Volume 3 - Chapter 97
Volume 9 - Chapter 47
Volume 10 - Chapter 46
Volume 12 - Chapter 48
In all of these locations within the books series, I have inserted the last words of The
Buddha and shared what one encounters upon death. This will help you to understand
and gain the wisdom of, what transpires for a being as part of the process of dying and
death itself.
A Student who reads this article titled “How Did The Buddha Die?” and is unEnlightened
may perceive the depiction of how The Buddha died as being an extremely painful death.
That it was painful for The Buddha during his last moments of life. But, that is without the
wisdom of what an Enlightened being experiences as a result of having attained
Enlightenment and then having issues in the physical body to include death.
I suspect that the author of the article may not be aware of how an unEnlightened and
Enlightened being experience pain differently. Therefore, when describing what The
Buddha experienced, he described it in graphic terms of, his own frame of reference and
lifetime experiences with physical and mental pain - as being severely painful.
An Enlightened being does not experience severe physical pain but instead, it is
significantly diminished or muted. An Enlightened being does not experience any mental
anguish whatsoever.
When I read this article, I know that The Buddha, while experiencing a medical condition
that led to his ultimate death, had a peaceful mind during the entire time leading all the
way up to and including death. He would not have been in agonizing pain as one might
think who has not experienced physical pain while at the same time experiencing the
Enlightened mental state.
174


An Enlightened being will experience physical pain but, it would be very minimal
compared to what an unEnlightened being would experience in the same circumstances.
An Enlightened being would experience some physical pain but, they will not experience
the mental anguish associated with the physical pain. An Enlightened being’s mind will
continue to reside peaceful, calm, serene, and content with joy, despite any and all
physical pain. In this way, the physical pain experienced by an Enlightened being is
insignificant and a mere fraction of that which would be experienced by an unEnlightened
being given the same exact situation.
For further understanding of physical and mental pain in the unEnlightened and
Enlightened mental state, you might choose to investigate The Teachings in Volume 8 -
Chapter 40 titled “Transcending Physical Pain by Avoiding Mental Pain”. This will help you
to understand how an unEnlightened being experiences physical pain versus, an
Enlightened being.
Detailed explanation of Transcending Physical Pain by Avoiding Mental Pain is available in
this same book series found in Chapter 40 of the book “The Foremost Householder”
(Volume 9).
You can also gain an appreciation and the wisdom of this topic through understanding
The Teachings of The Buddha when he shares “The Simile of The Saw” in the
Kakacūpamasutta Sutta (Reference: MN 21) available in Volume 3 - Chapter 84 of this
same book series.
The Buddha shares, “Monks, even if criminals were to sever you savagely limb by limb
with a two-handled saw, he who gave rise to a mind of hate towards them would not be
practicing my Teachings”.
The Buddha shares this Teaching because his own mind, experiencing Enlightenment,
would not experience mental anguish in this exact scenario or any others. It would be
impossible for an Enlightened being to experience hatred towards anyone for any reason,
even if being sawed “limb by limb”. Therefore, The Buddha was well aware that if a
Student’s mind experienced hatred in this situation or any other, the mind would be
unEnlightened. He emphasizes this in this Teaching.
This Teaching directly from The Buddha, and others, can provide you further insight to
understand how an Enlightened being would not experience any “agonizing pain” during
the process of dying or at death.
Detailed explanation of Training a Mind Filled with Loving-Kindness,
without Hostility or Ill Will is available in this same book series found in Chapter 84 of the
book “Foundations in The Teachings” (Volume 3).
175


Now that you have completed reading (Volume 9) of this book series and may decide to
read this book multiple times, I would like to take a moment to personally “thank you” for
your determination, dedication, and diligence to learn, reflect, and practice The Teachings
of The Buddha on The Path to Enlightenment.
The time, effort, energy, and resources that you devote to this path are serving to help you
and countless other beings. As you choose to learn and practice these Teachings, you will
significantly reduce then eliminate any harm that you are putting into the world through
your unknowing of true reality. The unEnlightened mind does not understand what it does
not understand.
You are now applying time, effort, energy, and resources to improving the condition of the
mind, the condition of your life, and, thus, the condition of the world through investigating
The Teachings to acquire wisdom. The world becomes a better place when we each
individually choose to improve our own life practice taking responsibility for our own
intentions, speech, actions, and livelihood while improving our wisdom and mental
discipline.
I admire individuals who choose to walk towards harmlessness. I admire individuals who
choose to realize there is a better way of life and create that better way of life for
themselves through seeking guidance. And, I admire individuals who do not shrink back
from the struggle to move the mind towards Enlightenment when the natural tendency
might be to remain complacent.
Why have I chosen to share these Teachings with you?
“That it may be for the benefit and peacefulness of the multitude (many people), out of
compassion for the world, for the benefit and peacefulness of heavenly beings and
humans”. (Gotama Buddha)
“Because if they understand even a single sentence, that will lead to their welfare and
peacefulness for a long time”. (Gotama Buddha)
May you discover the freedom associated with a mind that is peaceful, calm,
serene, and content with joy permanently - the Enlightened mind.
As you need help to learn, reflect, and practice these Teachings, you are welcome to
seek guidance which is available openly and freely to “all beings”.
177


Author
David Roylance is a dedicated Practitioner and Teacher of Gotama Buddha’s
Teachings who has been part of the Thai community since 2001. He visited
Thailand for the first time in 2002 and brought the Traditional Thai Healing
Arts back to the United States of America to share with people in the
Western World.
His Traditional Thai Healing Arts centers, located in the Washington DC area,
provided traditional Thai healing arts to clients and educational opportunities
to Students to explore the Thai healing arts, Thai culture, and The Teachings
of Gotama Buddha. David is a published author with books on the topics of
Traditional Thai Healing Arts and The Path That Leads to Enlightenment.
David has taught Gotama Buddha’s Teachings since 2005 in the United
States of America. In 2015, he closed his businesses and relocated to
Chiang Mai, Thailand to be closer to the Thai culture and the Thai
Community of Buddhist Practitioners.
David shares Gotama Buddha’s Teachings with Household Practitioners and
Ordained Practitioners in Chiang Mai, Thailand and around the world through
courses, retreats, and special events providing guidance to help people
attain Enlightenment - a peaceful, calm, serene, and content mind with joy.
For more information on participating in courses, retreats, special events or
to invite these Teachings to your learning venue, use the contact information
below:
Teacher - David Roylance
hello@buddhadailywisdom.com
www.BuddhaDailyWisdom.com
178


Restoration of The Buddha’s Teachings
The Path to Enlightenment
The Buddha taught over 2,500 years ago. He taught The Path to
Enlightenment guiding countless beings to a mental state that is peaceful,
calm, serene, and content with joy that is permanent, where the mind has
eliminated 100% of all discontent feelings such as sadness, anger,
frustration, irritation, annoyance, guilt, shame, fears, boredom, loneliness,
shyness, jealousy, resentment, stress, anxiety, etc.
Immediately following the death of The Buddha (i.e. Gotama Buddha), The
Teachings were shining in the world continuing to guide countless people to
Enlightenment. But, over the course of many generations, just as Gotama
Buddha predicted, people’s understanding of his Teachings gradually
diminished due to modifications and adjustments made by people after him.
The modifications made to his Teachings, handed down through oral
transmission, have made it increasingly difficult for human beings to attain
Enlightenment.
The goal of David’s Teachings is to root the learning and practice he
shares in “The Words of The Buddha” based on The Teachings that
existed during the lifetime of Gotama Buddha, so that countless beings
can now attain Enlightenment based on the original Path to
Enlightenment discovered and declared by Gotama Buddha.
David does this through connecting what he teaches to the largest most
complete source of Teachings from Gotama Buddha - The Pāli Canon. The
Pāli Canon is the original source text of The Teachings from Gotama Buddha
as spoken by him during his lifetime.
David has spent countless hours dedicated to restoring The Words of The
Buddha by updating a significant portion of the translations of Gotama
Buddha’s Teachings from The Pāli Canon. He now offers several resources
for Students to learn, reflect, and practice The Path to Enlightenment to
experience the results of an Enlightened mind.
David offers books, audiobooks, videos, podcasts, online learning programs,
personal guidance, and retreats without any requirement for financial
support. All the work that is being done is offered openly and freely for all
beings without any requirement to provide any financial support. David
accepts donations but Students are not required to provide donations for
any work that he does in supporting them on The Path to Enlightenment.
179


David does not request donations and instead, just accepts whatever is
offered to him, if anything at all.
His dedication to sharing these Teachings is not motivated by finances. He
shares openly and freely with everyone who has a sincere interest in learning
and practicing The Path to Enlightenment.
Ultimately, David plans to preserve The Teachings of The Buddha in a format
that is easily, readily, and openly accessible to anyone in the world while
offering support to learn, reflect, and practice to experience the results of the
Enlightened mind.
His plan is to guide countless people to Enlightenment during his lifetime
and leave a Community of Enlightened beings who can continue to share
The Teachings long after his death. Through developing a Community of
Enlightened beings and preserving The Path to Enlightenment in resources
that are easily, readily, and openly accessible to anyone in the world, David is
revealing the hidden Teachings of Gotama Buddha and doing the best he
can to remove any obstacles one might have to learn, reflect, and practice
these Teachings, allowing countless people to experience the results of an
Enlightened mind.
Upon his death, David predicts that his closest Student, his son and a
continued lineage of Teachers, will share these same Teachings continuing to
support and grow The Community of Enlightened beings long into the future
- for the next 1,000 years.
These efforts will culminate into restoring The Path to Enlightenment back
into the world so that all of humanity can experience Enlightenment evolving
the human species to one where every being has the opportunity to attain
Enlightenment creating “heaven on earth”.
180


The Goal
An Entire Species of Enlightened Beings
Having experienced Enlightenment and knowing the peace, calm, serenity,
and contentedness with joy that comes with having attained Enlightenment,
a Buddha’s goal is to share his Teachings worldwide so that “all beings” can
experience Enlightenment.
The Enlightened mind no longer experiences any discontent feelings such as
sadness, anger, frustration, irritation, annoyance, guilt, shame, fears,
boredom, loneliness, shyness, jealousy, resentment, anxiety, stress, etc.
All discontent feelings have been eliminated 100% from the Enlightened
mind (i.e. all suffering is eliminated).
An Enlightened mind will have loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic
joy, equanimity, and generosity among many other wholesome qualities.
Can you imagine an entire world where all human beings have liberated
their mind to no longer experience these discontent feelings and are
practicing wholesome qualities of mind at all times?
With “The Buddha” (Gotama Buddha) having attained this permanent mental
state of Enlightenment on his own as The Perfectly Enlightened Buddha, he
would have known that through his dedicated and persistent pursuit to
Enlightenment, he had acquired the wisdom needed to guide “all beings” to
this same mental state.
However, his teaching career of 45 years would not be enough time to share
his Teachings worldwide. He knew, that it would require many centuries for
his Teachings to reach all parts of the world. During his lifetime, travel of
people and information was limited based on several constraints.
Today, we are in a unique time in history where these same constraints have
been eliminated. A time when people and information are able to travel
around the world in an instant.
Not only can information travel quickly but all of humanity is slowly coming
to the point where there is a common language spoken around the world -
the English language.
Criteria exist today that did not exist during Gotama Buddha’s lifetime that
make now the perfect time for all of humanity to gradually attain
Enlightenment realizing a better existence.
181


- People can travel worldwide.
- Information can be shared worldwide in an instant.
- Commonly spoken language among a large percentage of the worldwide
population and this is only growing.
These criteria did not exist during the lifetime of Gotama Buddha and it is
only now that the world has come into an age where his original goal is
realistically possible.
But, during Gotama Buddha’s lifetime it seems they had something that we
may not have….
The people during Gotama Buddha’s lifetime had perseverance and
dedication to learning, reflecting, and practicing The Teachings to realize the
results of experiencing the Enlightened mind. They were not afraid of hard
work.
With our modern day conveniences, I am unsure how many people are
willing to apply their determination, dedication, and diligence with time,
effort, energy, and resources towards The Path to Enlightenment with the
goal to experience the Enlightened mind.
When a being decides they are finished with the sadness, anger, frustration,
irritation, annoyance, guilt, shame, fear, boredom, loneliness, shyness,
jealousy, resentment, etc., that is the time when one can turn towards The
Teachings and goal of experiencing Enlightenment.
Through each individual deciding to learn and practice The Teachings of
Gotama Buddha, as a collective world, our species will gradually evolve. We
evolve to a higher consciousness where we train the mind to not harm others
through our intentions, speech, nor actions.
Through each individual deciding to learn, reflect, and practice The
Teachings of Gotama Buddha, each person benefits and we all benefit as
there will be less and less harm in the world.
Through individuals deciding to focus on developing a comprehensive
approach to learning and practicing The Teachings of Gotama Buddha with
guidance from a Teacher, your life drastically improves and the entire world
improves essentially creating “heaven on earth”.
We do not need to “fix” the world. That is not the problem. The problem is
the unEnlightened mind does not understand The Natural Laws of Existence
and it is quite a struggle to live in a world that one does not understand.
182


Through learning and practicing The Teachings of Gotama Buddha, a
Practitioner comes to deeply understand The Natural Laws of Existence to
acquire wisdom that will end the struggles and misery one may face on a
regular basis.
Are you ready to apply determination, dedication, and diligence with time,
effort, energy, and resources towards The Path to Enlightenment with the
goal to experience Enlightenment?
If one enjoys anger, sadness, boredom, loneliness, resentment, etc., there is
nothing to do.
But, if you are interested to eliminate these unwelcomed feelings from the
mind, then I suggest you turn towards The Path to Enlightenment and apply
your dedication and diligence to learning, reflecting, and practicing The
Teachings of Gotama Buddha.
And then, as all of humanity gradually experiences Enlightenment we will
have accomplished “the goal”.
“An entire species of Enlightened beings”.
183


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.
184


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.
185


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”.
186

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.
187


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”.
188


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.
189


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.
190


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.
191


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
192

Created by:
Daily Wisdom - Walking The Path with The Buddha
BuddhaDailyWisdom.com
Facebook:
https://bit.ly/DailyWisdom-Facebook
YouTube:
https://bit.ly/DailyWisdom-Youtube
Podcast:
https://bit.ly/DailyWisdom-Podcast
I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude for the community of
Ordained and Household Practitioners benefiting from the leadership of
Venerable Bhikkhu Kukrit Sotthibalo at Wat Na Pah Pong in Krung Thep,
Thailand for their dedication and diligence in sharing The Teachings of
Gotama Buddha. Their work was the inspiration for
“The Words of The Buddha” book series.
Wat Na Pah Pong
http://watnapp.com
193


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
194


THE WORDS OF THE BUDDHA
The Path to Enlightenment
Revealing The Hidden
The Buddha’s Way
Volume 10
1

Note from Author 9
Preface 15
The Buddha’s Way 15
Chapter 1 19
Right and Wrong Refuge 19
Chapter 2 21
Beings Are Few Who Are Reborn Among Human Beings or Heavenly Beings
Because They Have Not Seen The Four Noble Truths 21
Chapter 3 24
Noble Truth is Not Impossible to Know The Noble Ones Are Plenty 24
Chapter 4 27
With The Teachings and Yourselves as Your Refuge 27
Chapter 5 31
Liberation of Mind is the Heartwood 31
Chapter 6 33
Anyone Can Produce Nibbāna (Enlightenment) 33
Chapter 7 38
The Humble 38
Chapter 8 42
The Discontentedness of Heavenly Beings and Humans 42
Chapter 9 44
Discontentedness Because of The Six Sense Bases 44
Chapter 10 45
Consideration to Go Forth into Homelessness 45
Chapter 11 48
Five Future Dangers in the Way for Consideration 48
Chapter 12 52
Do Not Decline Continue the Struggle 52
Chapter 13 55
Final Knowledge is Achieved by Gradual Training 55
Chapter 14 60
To Select the Place to Live 60
2

Chapter 15 65
With The Elimination of Excitement Comes The Complete Destruction of
Discontentedness 65
Chapter 16 67
The Cause of Discontentedness 67
Chapter 17 69
With the Elimination of Excitement There is the Elimination of Discontentedness 69
Chapter 18 70
The Destruction of Excitement 70
Chapter 19 71
The Suitable Way for Attaining Nibbāna (Enlightenment) (First Discourse) 71
Chapter 20 73
The Suitable Way for Attaining Nibbāna (Enlightenment) (Second Discourse) 73
Chapter 21 76
The Suitable Way for Attaining Nibbāna (Enlightenment) (Third Discourse) 76
Chapter 22 78
The Suitable Way for Attaining Nibbāna (Enlightenment) (Fourth Discourse) 78
Chapter 23 81
Disassociation Will Lead to Your Welfare and Peacefulness 81
Chapter 24 84
The Arising and Elimination of Feeling 84
Chapter 25 90
The Way to Purity 90
Chapter 26 95
The Noble Eight Fold Path The Way of Practice Leading to the Elimination of
Discontentedness 95
Chapter 27 103
Reflection on Every Step Can Be Liberation to Nibbāna (Enlightenment) 103
Chapter 28 106
The Four Noble Truths 106
Chapter 29 112
The Four Noble Truths and Dependent Origination 112
3

Chapter 30 115
A Stream-Enterer is Worth More Than Being a Wheel-Turning Monarch 115
Chapter 31 118
To Proclaim Stream-Entry to Yourself 118
Chapter 32 122
Three Kinds of Wonders 122
Chapter 33 127
One Who is Near to Nibbāna (Enlightenment) 127
Chapter 34 130
The Supreme Development of The Sense Bases 130
Chapter 35 132
Need Not to Know How Much Fetters Were Worn Away 132
Chapter 36 134
The Tathāgata Is The One Who Shows the Way 134
Chapter 37 137
Cause and Reason Why Some Beings Do Not Attain Nibbāna in This Very Life 137
Chapter 38 138
No Desire for the Nutriment One Attains Enlightenment 138
Chapter 39 140
Dependent Origination 140
Chapter 40 141
Dependent Origination as The Law of Nature 141
Chapter 41 150
Wisdom, Mindfulness, and Name-and-Form Stopped by the Stopping of
Consciousness 150
Chapter 42 151
Without Clinging One Attains Nibbāna (Enlightenment) 151
Chapter 43 153
By Not Clinging, They Are Freed 153
Chapter 44 154
Calm and Reflection Have Part in True Wisdom 154
Chapter 45 157
4

The Motivation 157
Chapter 46 160
The Tathāgata’s Final Passing 160
Author 177
Restoration of The Buddha’s Teachings 178
The Path to Enlightenment 178
The Goal 180
An Entire Species of Enlightened Beings 180
Why Have I Decided to Teach The Path to Enlightenment as Taught by Gotama
Buddha? 183
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”? 186
5

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.
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
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.
6

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
7

The Buddha’s Way (Volume 10)
Journey through The Words of The Buddha from the beginning of his first
Teaching until his “last words” prior to death.
The book, “The Buddha’s Way” 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
8

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.
9

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
https://www.buddhadailywisdom.com/freebuddhabooks
10

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
11

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.
12

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”.
13

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.
14

Preface
The Buddha’s Way
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.
15

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.
16

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
17

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)
18


Chapter 1
Right and Wrong Refuge
They go to many a refuge, to mountains and forests, to parks and tree
shrines: people threatened with danger.
That’s not the secure refuge,
Not the supreme refuge,
That’s not the refuge, having gone to which,
You gain release from all discontentedness and stress.
But when, having gone to The Buddha, The Teachings, and The Community
for refuge, you see with right wisdom The Four Noble Truths — stress, the
cause of stress, the transcending of stress, and The Noble Eight Fold Path,
the way to the stilling of stress:
That’s the secure refuge, that’s,
The supreme refuge,
That is the refuge, having gone to which,
You gain release from all discontentedness and stress.
(Reference: DHP 188-192)
Refuge: Shelter or protection from danger or distress. A place that provides shelter or
protection. Something to which one has recourse in difficulty.
Buddha: A being who has attained Enlightenment on their own without the assistance of
Teachers to independently discover Teachings that leads to their own Enlightenment, with
the ability to share their independently discovered Teachings that leads others to
Enlightenment. The last Buddha currently known to the world existed 2,500 years ago,
who I refer to as Master Teacher Gotama Buddha or Gotama Buddha. (You will see other
ways people refer to him.)
Teachings: The Teachings of Gotama Buddha based on The Natural Laws of Existence
that lead to awakening of the mind, to Enlightenment.
Community: The entire community of Practitioners to include Ordained Practitioners and
anyone who has attained one (1) of The Four Stages of Enlightenment, this includes
Household Practitioners. These are the Teachers who can guide others to attain
Enlightenment through The Teachings of Gotama Buddha.
19


In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares that when the mind experiences fear
from danger people retreat “to mountains and forests, to parks and tree shrines”.
However, the real danger that beings are experiencing is that of discontentedness and
The Cycle of Rebirth caused by their own lack of wisdom, moral conduct, and mental
discipline.
The mountains, forests, parks, nor tree shrines will protect the mind from
discontentedness and The Cycle of Rebirth. But instead, it is a Practitioner who seeks
protection with confidence in The Buddha, The Teachings, and The Community. As a
being who seeks refuge or protection through having confidence in The Buddha, access
to his Teachings, and being a member of The Community, then, one can learn, reflect, and
practice The Teachings to liberate the mind from the true danger - discontentedness and
The Cycle of Rebirth.
It is important to understand that Gotama Buddha never used guilt, shame, or fear to
motivate or encourage people to learn his Teachings. Instead, his Teachings are to guide
beings to the elimination of such discontent feelings as guilt, shame, and fear. Gotama
Buddha’s Teachings are to eliminate these discontent feelings and others, so he would
not see the use of guilt, shame, and fear as beneficial to eliminate guilt, shame, and fear.
So, Gotama Buddha is using the term “danger” because it is a feeling that the
unEnlightened mind is familiar with and can relate to. He is redirecting one’s mind to
understand the true dangers in the world which may not be easily observed through less
illuminating language.
He then goes on to explain that this protection of the mind, this refuge, starts with The
Four Noble Truths leading to The Eight Fold Path. It is these two Teachings that are the
most fundamental and core Teachings that comprise what is needed for a Practitioner to
deeply understand and practice to train the mind towards the attainment of
Enlightenment.
It is through experiencing Enlightenment that one “transcends stress” and “stills stress”,
The Four Noble Truths and The Eight Fold Path are the “supreme refuge” (protection)
which will gain “release from all discontentedness and stress” it is not the mountains,
forests, parks and tree shrines as through seeking protection there, the mind is still
fearful.
It is only through the elimination of fear that one experiences a true refuge or true
protection, not hiding from that which the mind fears. Avoiding and hiding from that which
the mind fears only allows the mind to hold on to the fear continuing to experience the
same fear over and over through countless cycles.
But, through training the mind to release the fear by the elimination of craving, anger, and
ignorance (unknowing of true reality) the mind will then reside in the secure and
permanent refuge or protection of The Buddha, The Teachings, and The Community.
20


Chapter 2
Beings Are Few Who Are Reborn Among
Human Beings or Heavenly Beings
Because They Have Not Seen
The Four Noble Truths
Then The Perfectly Enlightened One took up a little bit of soil in his fingernail
and addressed the Monks thus: What do you think, Monks, which is more:
the little bit of soil in my fingernail or the great earth?
‘Venerable Sir, the great earth is more. The little bit of soil that The Perfectly
Enlightened One has taken up in his fingernail is insignificant. Compared to
the great earth, that little bit of soil is not calculable, does not bear
comparison, does not amount even to a fraction.’
So too, Monks, those beings are few who, when they pass away as human
beings, are reborn among human beings. But those beings are more numerous
who, when they pass away as human beings, are reborn in hell… in the animal
realm … in the realm of afflicted spirits …
For what reason?
Because, Monks, they have not seen The 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.
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.’
What do you think, Monks, which is more: the little bit of soil in my fingernail
or the great earth?
21


‘Venerable Sir, the great earth is more. The little bit of soil that The Perfectly
Enlightened One has taken up in his fingernail is insignificant. Compared to
the great earth, the little bit of soil that The Perfectly Enlightened One has
taken up in his fingernail is not calculable, does not bear comparison, does
not amount even to a fraction.
So too, Monks, those beings are few who, when they pass away as human
beings, are reborn among the heavenly beings. But those beings are more
numerous who, when they pass away as human beings, are reborn in hell …
in the animal realm … in the realm of afflicted spirits…
For what reason?
Because, Monks, they have not seen The 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.
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 56.51)


In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares that there “are few who are reborn
among human beings” and there “are more numerous who, when they pass away as human
beings, are reborn in hell… in the animal realm … in the realm of afflicted spirits …” due to
beings not having understood The Four Noble Truths. The Buddha shares a similar
Teaching related to how there “are few who are reborn among heavenly beings” and there
“are more numerous who, when they pass away as human beings, are reborn in hell… in the
animal realm … in the realm of afflicted spirits …” due to beings not having understood
The Four Noble Truths.
It is The Four Noble Truths that helps a Practitioner to breakthrough to understanding
discontentedness, the cause of discontentedness, the elimination of discontentedness,
and the way leading to the elimination of discontentedness (i.e. The Eight Fold Path).
Without this understanding and practice, a being would have no opportunity to acquire
the wisdom of why their mind experiences discontentedness and how to eliminate it,
thus, they would not be able to attain Enlightenment.
It is through learning, reflecting, and practicing The Four Noble Truths that a Practitioner
can make the breakthrough to understanding they cause their own discontent feelings to
establish Right View and then have the ability to eliminate all discontentedness from the
mind.
The Buddha uses an analogy to describe just how few beings are reborn among human
beings and heavenly beings.
The soil of the entire earth represents all the beings that exist while the amount of soil
under The Buddha’s fingernail represents the number of beings who are reborn as human
beings or heavenly beings with the opportunity to learn, reflect, and practice these
Teachings to attain Enlightenment.
The Buddha explains “those beings are few who are reborn among human beings” or
“heavenly beings”. But "are more numerous who, when they pass away as human beings,
are reborn in hell… in the animal realm … in the realm of afflicted spirits …” due to beings
not having understood The Four Noble Truths.
He then encourages Students who are to make an effort to breakthrough to The Four
Noble Truths with this Teaching. “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’”.
A Teacher can support and encourage Students to learn, reflect, and practice these
Teachings but it is the Student who will need to apply the effort and energy through
determination, dedication, and diligence to learn, reflect, and practice these Teachings to
experience the results of a peaceful, calm, serene, and content mind with joy -
permanently. The mind can completely and entirely eliminate 100% of all
discontentedness through applying effort towards the attainment of Enlightenment.
Every Practitioner will need to do the work to experience the results.
23


Chapter 3
Noble Truth is Not Impossible to Know
The Noble Ones Are Plenty
There are not only one hundred, Vaccha, or two or three or four or five
hundred, but far more male Ordained Practitioners, my disciples, who by
realizing for themselves with direct knowledge (experience) here and
now enter upon and reside in the liberation of mind and liberation by wisdom
that are taintless with the destruction of the taints.
There are not only one hundred, Vaccha, or two or three or four or five
hundred, but far more female Ordained Practitioners, my disciples, who
by realizing for themselves with direct knowledge (experience) here and
now enter upon and reside in the liberation of mind and liberation by wisdom
that are taintless with the destruction of the taints.
There are not only one hundred, Vaccha, or two or three or four or five
hundred, but far more male Household Practitioners, my disciples, clothed
in white leading lives of celibacy who, with the destruction of the five lower
fetters, will reappear spontaneously in the heavenly realm and there attain
Final Nibbāna (Final Enlightenment) without ever returning from that world.
There are not only one hundred, Vaccha, or two or three or four or five
hundred, but far more male Household Practitioners, my disciples, clothed
in white enjoying sensual pleasures, who carry out my instruction, respond
to my advice, have gone beyond doubt, become free from confusion,
gained courage, and become independent of others in the Teacher’s
Teachings.
There are not only one hundred, Vaccha, or two or three or four or five
hundred, but far more female Household Practitioners, my disciples,
clothed in white leading lives of celibacy who, with the destruction of the five
lower fetters, will reappear spontaneously in the heavenly realm and there
attain Final Nibbāna (Final Enlightenment) without ever returning from that
world.
24

There are not only one hundred, Vaccha, or two or three or four or five
hundred, but far more female Household Practitioners, my disciples,
clothed in white enjoying sensual pleasures, who carry out my instruction,
respond to my advice, have gone beyond doubt, become free of
confusion, gained courage, and become independent of others in the
Teacher’s Teachings.
(Reference: MN 73)