THE WORDS OF THE BUDDHA
The Path to Enlightenment
Revealing The Hidden
Developing a Life Practice:
The Path That Leads to
Enlightenment
Volume 1
1

Preface 7
Gotama Buddha’s Teachings Are a Life Practice 7
Chapter 1 21
Universal Teachings: Love, No Harm, Good Morals 21
Chapter 2 28
Why Study Gotama Buddha’s Teachings? 28
Chapter 3 48
Enlightenment: What is Enlightenment? 48
Chapter 4 82
The Four Noble Truths: Establishing Right View 82
Chapter 5 111
The Eight Fold Path: The Path for All Humans to Enlightenment 111
Chapter 6 143
The Middle Way: Walking The Middle Way 143
Chapter 7 155
The Five Precepts: A Householder’s Guide to Daily Practice 155
Chapter 8 184
Transforming The Three Poisons: Craving, Anger, and Ignorance 184
Chapter 9 195
What is Kamma and How Does It Affect Me? 195
Chapter 10 205
What is Merit? 205
Chapter 11 221
Meditation: Developing Your Practice 221
Chapter 12 258
Craving is The Problem: What is The Solution? 258
Chapter 13 267
Identifying Cravings: Cultivating Non-Craving and Analysis of The Mind 267
Chapter 14 276
Cultivating Healthy Mental States: Loving-kindness, Compassion, Sympathetic Joy,
and Equanimity 276
Chapter 15 280
True Love: Love Without Attachment 280
Chapter 16 289
Dissolving the Ego: Ego Serves No Purpose 289
Chapter 17 314
Eliminating Fears: Are You Really Scared? 314
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Chapter 18 320
God’s Creative Action: You Have Free Will 320
Chapter 19 333
The Difficult Human Existence: Sickness, Aging, and Death 333
Chapter 20 340
Animal to Human: The Evolution of Our Consciousness 340
Chapter 21 353
Do No Harm: What is The Future of The Planet? 353
Chapter 22 360
Mental Health: A Modern Day Delusion 360
Chapter 23 372
Symbolism of Teachings: Reminders Through Imagery 372
Chapter 24 381
Misunderstandings of Gotama Buddha’s Teachings 381
Image of Gotama Buddha 398
Frequently Asked Questions 405
How to Determine If You Have Attained Enlightenment 428
Author 432
Restoration of The Buddha’s Teachings 433
The Path to Enlightenment 433
The Goal 435
An Entire Species of Enlightened Beings 435
Why Have I Decided to Teach The Path to Enlightenment as Taught by Gotama
Buddha? 438
Why Have I Decided to Reside and Teach in Thailand in Order to Restore The Teachings
of The Buddha Back into Humanity and Create 441
“Heaven on Earth”? 441
Glossary 447
3

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.
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4

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
5

Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to Enlightenment
(Volume 1)
Journey through The Words of The Buddha from the beginning of his first Teaching until
his “last words” prior to death.
The book, “Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to Enlightenment” is an
essential guide on The Path to Enlightenment to help you learn and progress in your
understanding and practice of Gotama Buddha’s Teachings. Developed to provide you a
framework to understand and practice The Buddha’s Teachings to progress towards the
attainment of Enlightenment - a peaceful, calm, serene, and content mind with joy that is
permanent.
Comprised of select Teachings from The Buddha with thorough explanations from a
dedicated Practitioner and Teacher walking you through step-by-step how to develop a
life practice with reading, videos, podcasts, and quizzes to confirm your learning.
This book series 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
6

Preface
Gotama Buddha’s Teachings Are a Life Practice
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 be a primer to help you establish a
framework of understanding to ultimately learn, reflect, practice and attain
the results of Gotama Buddha’s Teachings - Enlightenment.
Gotama Buddha’s Teachings are not based on “belief”. His Teachings are
meant to be practiced so that you can independently observe the truth to
acquire wisdom. 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.
Understanding how to be an independent active learner, while knowing
when and how to seek guidance, is an important quality of mind to be
successful on The Path to Enlightenment. You will need guidance from a
Teacher.
When you learn these Teachings, and then practice them, you will obtain
“wisdom”. You will see the “truth” for yourself without needing to have
“belief”. In this way, you will liberate the mind with Teachings that allow you
to acquire “wisdom”. The same wisdom that Gotama Buddha understood
during his lifetime that leads to Enlightenment.
The newly acquired wisdom will gradually improve how you view the world
through the mind and how you interact in the world.
It is important that you do not believe anything in this book series and that
instead you practice these Teachings to determine the truth for yourself, with
7

the guidance of Teachers. The mind will not be liberated through belief but
instead, the mind will be liberated through observing the truth in these
Teachings to acquire wisdom. The wisdom you acquire will allow you to
function in life through the truths that you discover in a dedicated and well
developed practice of these Teachings.
Today, many people consider Gotama Buddha’s Teachings a religion. When,
in fact, his Teachings are not a religion. Gotama Buddha was not attempting
to create a religion with rites, rituals, ceremonies, or worship. His original
Teachings do not include any rites, rituals, ceremonies, or worship. Gotama
Buddha offered a better way to peacefully coexist with ourselves and others
through training the mind. His Teachings, when learned and practiced, will
teach you how to peacefully exist with yourself and others through
understanding The Natural Laws of Existence. The Path to Enlightenment is
to eliminate 100% of the discontentedness of the mind and a path to
becoming a better human being.
“The mind” is not the brain. The brain is not “the mind”. The brain is the organ
that controls the functions of “the body”. The mind is not tangible as it is not
physical in nature. The mind is our consciousness where all intentions for
speech and actions originate along with our thoughts, ideas, perceptions,
feelings, and emotions arise, are experienced, and then cease to exist.
The problem that Gotama Buddha discovered, and then taught was to help
people eliminate the constant craving and desire of “the mind”. One of the
most significant problems with the human mind is our constant cravings,
desires, and attachments. Craving, desire, or attachment is “a mental
longing for something with a strong eagerness”. Gotama Buddha’s
Teachings help us to train the mind to eliminate our cravings, desires, and
attachments reaching complete inner peace.
Because of the mind’s longing for something with a strong eagerness (i.e.
craving/desire/attachment), the mind becomes discontent with feelings of
sadness, anger, frustration, irritation, annoyance, guilt, shame, fear,
boredom, loneliness, shyness, jealousy, resentment, stress, anxiety, and
many other feelings that cause complications and difficulties in our life. The
unEnlightened mind constantly struggles in daily life experiencing
discontentedness.
Discontentedness plagues the human mind and most people do not
realize these feelings can be 100% eliminated from the human mind.
Humans do not need to live with sadness, anger, guilt, shame, fear, etc. the
mind can be trained to completely and entirely eliminate these discontent
feelings.
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Because the vast majority of humans do not realize there is a problem, they
also do not realize there is a solution. Learning, reflecting, and practicing
Gotama Buddha’s Teachings leads to a peaceful, calm, serene, and content
mind with joy that is permanent, where one never experiences even the
slightest feelings of sadness, anger, frustration, irritation, annoyance, guilt,
shame, fear, boredom, loneliness, shyness, jealousy, resentment, stress,
anxiety, and many other discontent feelings.
You may not have known prior to discovering this book that these feelings
are a problem and you do not need to live with a discontent mind. But now
you do know they are a problem, they can be eliminated, and there is a
solution to completely and entirely eliminate discontentedness of mind. Now
that you do know there is a problem and that there is a solution, what will
you do?
The goal of these Teachings is to attain a Higher Consciousness, Nibbāna,
Nirvana, known as “Enlightenment” where the mind resides permanently
peaceful, calm, serene, and content with joy.
Through these Teachings and the help of Teachers and guides, you can
eliminate 100% of the discontentedness in the mind and the suffering it
causes. To do this, you will need to establish a solid “life practice”.
Meditation is the foundation of these practices which trains the mind and
enables the practice of these Teachings in everyday life. It is important for
you to find Teachers and guides as, without them, one cannot attain
Enlightenment. You will not be able to attain Enlightenment without having
Teachers and guides to assist you.
You will need to establish a consistent daily meditation practice to make
progress on this path. Without a regular meditation practice, you will find it
very difficult to make progress on this path and in daily life. Please see the
Chapter “Meditation: Developing Your Practice” to establish a daily practice.
You may wisely choose to see that Chapter first so that you can develop a
meditation practice that supports you through learning and implementing
The Teachings in this book along this path.
Gotama Buddha’s Teachings are not a religion but rather, a “life practice”
that guides one on a path to eliminate sadness, anger, loneliness, fears,
depression, stress, and anxiety along with all other unwelcomed feelings.
Enlightenment is the ultimate goal which is a mind that is peaceful, calm,
serene, and content with joy - permanently. Practicing these Teachings is a
path that leads to a better way of life.
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This book and book series is an offering with loving-kindness and
compassion to help all beings.
The goal of this book and book series is to clarify Gotama Buddha’s
Teachings in a way that, with the help of Teachers and guides, you can attain
Enlightenment thus realizing your own Higher Consciousness. You can attain
Enlightenment.
In some sections, Gotama Buddha’s words have been included in this book
for your learning and reflection. The subsequent books available through this
book series focus on sharing “The Words of The Buddha” as shared during
his lifetime to help you enrich the learning experience with Gotama Buddha’s
clear, concise, and direct Teachings. But, you will need to first learn with this
book to develop your life practice creating a framework of understanding.
Gotama Buddha’s Teachings are timeless, and just as applicable today as
they were over 2,500 years ago when he first started to teach how to liberate
the mind. The human mind has not changed in 2,500 years and is why his
Teachings are just as applicable today as they were back then.
Many Practitioners will welcome a book series, like this, in which they can
gain a deep understanding of Gotama Buddha’s Teachings. It will help you
create a well developed understanding and practice in The Teachings of
Master Teacher Gotama Buddha - “The Buddha”.
This book series starts with this book, “Developing a Life Practice: The Path
That Leads to Enlightenment” to support you in establishing your life
practice. Then, in the additional books, you will be learning directly through
“The Words of The Buddha” with explanations of The Teachings.
During the lifetime of Gotama Buddha, his Teachings were all shared orally.
Nothing was written down until after his death. Through forty-five (45) years
of teaching, Students of Gotama Buddha remembered his Teachings word
for word. The Enlightened mind has a high degree of focus, concentration,
clarity of mind, and memorization. Upon Gotama Buddha’s death, The
Community of Enlightened beings gathered and captured his Teachings into
written form which today we refer to as “The Pāli Canon” or “The Pāli Text”.
These are forty-five (45) large volumes of books that took over twenty-seven
(27) years to translate into the English language. The average person today,
does not understand the Pāli language and we do not have to understand
the Pāli language. It is best if we all learn, reflect, and practice these
Teachings in English so that we have an international Community of
Practitioners who are able to discuss The Teachings seeking support and
guidance in a common language that is well understood today.
10

Gotama Buddha did the same thing during his lifetime. Rather than speak
the language of the royal family, which he was once a member of, instead he
chose to use a common language that was known to the widest audience
possible. This helped Gotama Buddha to share his Teachings with as many
people as possible during his lifetime so that Students could experience the
results of an Enlightened mind. If Gotama Buddha was alive today, there is
no doubt that he would teach in the English language in order to reach the
widest audience possible so that they could experience the life changing
results of an improved condition of mind and an improved condition of one’s
life.
It was not possible for Gotama Buddha to share his Teachings worldwide
during his lifetime. There was no common language across the world and
travel throughout the world was limited. But, today we do not have these
obstacles and through sharing these Teachings in English, we are able to
create more peace and harmony in our own lives and, thus, experience more
peace and harmony throughout the entire world.
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.
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.
11

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 ground work 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. But, this requires us to focus on
developing our own life practice rather than attempting to change others.
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
do. You can only decide to train your own mind to be unaffected by what
others do. The goal is not to change others or change the world but instead,
by understanding how the world functions through The Natural Laws of
Existence, an individual can make wiser choices leading to wholesome
outcomes while choosing to live in peace and harmony with all beings.
It is a real struggle to exist in a world that the mind does not understand. It is
“The Words of The Buddha” that explain The Natural Laws of Existence
guiding the mind to acquire deep wisdom to make better free will decisions
through a purified mind leading to wholesome outcomes.
It is important to study and practice The Teachings in this book prior to the
study of other texts. This book will provide you a solid foundation for further
studies in the remaining books of this book series. Many Students choose to
read this book multiple times to deepen their understanding and practice of
these Teachings while using the “Learning Resources for Further
Exploration” at the end of each Chapter.
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Oftentimes we look for ways to learn and study but feel there is no time in
our day to fit in something new. Gotama Buddha taught us that it’s best to
train the mind with gradual training and gradual practice to experience
gradual progress. I have observed for myself, this indeed works best.
You could read these books for 10-15 minutes in the morning, mid-day, or
evening, and then do some meditation and finally, enjoy a nice day or go to
sleep. I have found this helps the mind to rest and relax, leading to a
wonderful night’s sleep after which I awaken feeling refreshed, calm, and
peaceful. This gives you time to understand The Teachings, reflect on them,
and put them into practice so that you can see the results of these life-
changing Teachings. The mind needs gradual training.
Many Students read just one chapter a week of this book to provide time to
reflect and independently observe The Teachings as truth. This also provides
time to continue to develop a daily meditation practice. The goal is not to
just read to complete the book and book series but instead, to gradually
soak The Teachings into the mind so that you understand The Teachings,
can reflect on The Teachings, and then practice The Teachings to experience
the results of The Teachings. It is through practicing The Teachings that the
condition of the mind gradually improves.
You will need to study and practice The Teachings in order to observe the
truth and obtain the wisdom of The Teachings. Through your practice of
these Teachings, you will gain the results of a more peaceful, calm, serene,
and content mind with joy. Through the practice of these Teachings, you will
create a more peaceful, calm, serene, and content life with joy and coexist
with all other beings peacefully.
I suggest that you read and re-read this book several times as you learn,
reflect, practice The Teachings and observe the results. As you progress
through the book, learning and implementing The Teachings, you will need
continuous learning, growth, and support. This is not a book to read once
and put down, like a novel or storybook. This book will provide you with
Teachings that guide your life through the pursuit of Enlightenment. As you
read and re-read these Teachings throughout the entire book series, you will
start implementing the various aspects of The Teachings that lead to
acquiring wisdom. You will observe results as you learn, reflect, and practice
The Teachings to include meditation. The wisdom you acquire through
practice of The Teachings will lead to the liberation of the mind by wisdom.
One aspect of these Teachings that is very important is the following, we
cannot change how everyone and everything in the world functions. We can
change our own mind so that we do not “react” to situations and events but
rather we “respond” to the world around us. We can choose to be peaceful,
13

kind, loving, and warm. We can choose to have wholesome interactions with
all people. We can develop healthy qualities of the mind with loving-
kindness, compassion, generosity along with other qualities that will produce
a peaceful and content mind. It is possible and you can start right here, right
now.
The physical body can take a massive amount of pain, suffering, and trauma.
With the proper food and water, it can actually repair itself in a relatively short
amount of time.
The human mind is exactly the same.
The human mind can take an enormous amount of pain, suffering, and
trauma. With the proper Teachings, Teachers, dedication and commitment
the mind can repair itself but you need to pursue the learning and growth.
The Path to Enlightenment is to heal the mind in order to attain complete
peace and serenity of mind. These Teachings and practices are the solution
to the struggles that we have experienced our entire life.
The Path to Enlightenment is 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 mountain always looks tall when you are standing at the bottom. It is not
until you are on your way up or standing at the top that you realize the
mountain was not so tall after all. You do not need to climb the mountain all
in one day. It takes time. There is support for you along the way.
Anything good takes time.
If The Path to Enlightenment was easy, everyone would already be
Enlightened. But it is also not difficult either. At times there will be struggles
that are well worth the results, and there will be times where it is quite
enjoyable. This is the final struggle of all struggles. Once the mind faces the
challenges through being trained to attain Enlightenment, all other struggles
are eliminated.
Gotama Buddha shared "not to shrink back from the struggle”.
You are welcome to seek guidance to help you through the challenges. There
is no other way, as going it alone is not possible. I am here to support you
and everyone who chooses to learn, reflect, and practice these Teachings.
14

The Teachings and Teachers are available for you, right here. You only need
to provide the dedication and commitment to learning and practicing The
Teachings while seeking guidance.
May you be peaceful, may you be safe, may you be well, may you be free of
all discontentedness and the suffering it causes. May you come to
understand the freedom and tranquility of the Enlightened mind.
Enjoy the journey to a peaceful and content mind…and a peaceful and
content life.
15

Master Teacher Gotama Buddha
(The Tathāgata)
The end of each Chapter will have “Learning Resources for Further
Exploration”. You will be able to explore the audiobook, videos,
podcasts, and quizzes to deepen your understanding of the content you
read in each Chapter. Please see the ebook for more details on these
resources.
As you have questions or need clarification on these Teachings, you are
welcome to post those into the Facebook Group “Daily Wisdom - Walking The
Path with The Buddha” or contact the author privately for in-depth learning.
Daily Wisdom - Walking The Path with The Buddha
https://www.facebook.com/groups/DailyWisdom999/
16

Audiobook: These are recordings of this book. You are welcome to use the
Youtube (Read & Listen) version which has the pure audio and displays each
page of the book as its being read to you or the Podcast version with pure
audio. Both versions are resources to help you learn, reflect on, and practice
these Teachings.
Youtube Videos: The Youtube Videos are online classes with visual aids to
help you learn The Path to Enlightenment based on this book.
Podcast: The Podcast has the same content as the Youtube Videos without
visual aids but with the most clear audio to help you learn The Path to
Enlightenment based on this book.
All these resources are available to help you learn and can be utilized based
on what you decide is the most helpful in any given situation. Some Students
prefer the Youtube Videos with visual aids while others may choose the
Podcasts. You can decide as you move forward with each chapter what is
working best for your preferred method of learning and what you have
access to at that present moment when you are ready to learn.
Most Students will probably find a combination of all these resources to be
the most beneficial as you progress in your learning and practice of these
Teachings.
You are also invited and welcome to join the live online classes accessible
using this link where you will be able to ask questions to seek guidance with
the author of this book.
http://bit.ly/GroupLearningProgram
You are also invited and welcome to join in-person classes accessible using
this link where you will be able to seek guidance with the author of this book
through in-depth training in Thailand or at other locations around the world.
https://www.buddhadailywisdom.com/
17

Take a moment to join this Facebook Group so that you will have
support as you learn and practice these Teachings. You can post
questions for clarification and receive guidance from the author of this
book or you can privately message the author of this book for personal
guidance. Posting your questions for open discussion is great because
then others can join the discussion and learn from your questions.
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.
18


Chapter 1
Universal Teachings:
Love, No Harm, Good Morals
These Teachings are developed around three core concepts that directly
relate to these Teachings and tend to be universal in The Teachings of many
other traditions.
There are several traditions of Teachings that have emerged and been
practiced over the years. These traditions are often labeled as “religions”.
However, the original Teachers of each of these traditions never claimed that
they were starting an organized religion. Teachers such as Gotama Buddha,
Jesus Christ, Prophet Mohammed, and others came into this world and
sought to teach us a better existence and a better way of life; a more
Enlightened way.
It was after they died that others gathered The Teachings, labeled them as
religion, and assigned rites, rituals, ceremonies, and/or worship that were
required to be practiced. Each tradition that exists today has its own unique
Teachings and practices that are taught and/or practiced.
Now, the various groups have assembled, organized, and sometimes fight
over who is right and who is wrong.
Due to the fighting, religious obligations, and the actions of select “religious
leaders” within a tradition, the word “religion”, for some, elicits painful and
hurtful feelings. This is due to human actions not because The Teachings
themselves are not helpful to humankind.
If we removed the labels of Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and all
other “religious” labels assigned, we can easily see that these primary
“Teachings” as taught by the original “Teachers” could all be summarized
into these three core and fundamental Teachings.
1.) Universal Love for All Beings
2.) Do No Harm
3.) Be a Good Moral Person
In review of all worldly traditions, the original Teachers of the world’s
traditions and those without an identified founder have advised, encouraged,
and taught Teachings that lead humanity towards these three goals.
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Each tradition of Teachings that have existed and exist today are mostly
motivating and encouraging human beings to become better human beings.
While each tradition has its own unique way of explaining their Teachings
and sharing how one might look at the world around us, each tradition and
the original Teachers were looking to help people to become a better person
through practicing these Universal Teachings.
How each tradition explains their Teachings and the clarity of their Teachings
is different from one tradition to the next. Some Teachings require
interpretation which can be different from one person to the next which
makes it difficult for us to have a unified understanding or get in touch with
the original Teacher’s Teachings.
Since the death of the original Teachers, The Teachings of each tradition
have been affected by “impermanence”. The fact is that The Teachings
shared during the lifetime of the original Teachers have not stayed the same
and are not permanent. Everything that exists in the world is constantly
changing and never remains permanent. Impermanence has eroded The
Teachings of all the original Teachers and all traditions that exist today and,
consequently, our global civilization has eroded as well.
So too, the condition of the human mind and the condition of the planet have
deteriorated. Our available resources, and our interactions with each other
have also deteriorated with craving, anger, and ignorance (unknowing of true
reality) very much pervasive throughout humanity. Humans are starting to
realize that our human existence has drastically affected the environment
and the life we have created on earth has become more miserable. Even
though we attempt to look at the positive side of life on a daily basis, a wise
and observant individual can clearly see the craving, anger, and ignorance
(unknowing of true reality) that is pervasive throughout the world. (Craving,
anger, and ignorance are referred to as The Three Poisons, The Three
Unwholesome Roots, or The Three Fires and will be shared in detail in the
Chapter titled “The Three Poisons: Craving, Anger, and Ignorance” (Chapter
8).
It is humans that took The Teachings of Gotama Buddha, Jesus Christ and
others and turned them into a religion. Religion categorizes us into different
groups and causes us to feel that we should not get along or agree with one
another. But I know we can agree that it is important to have “universal love
for all beings”, “do no harm”, and “be a good moral person”. We are here to
get along, be well, and be peaceful with all beings. Living healthy and
contently with all beings is the only way to find a peaceful existence on this
earth.
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We cannot destroy our earth, have unwholesome relationships, treat others
poorly, have craving, anger, and ignorance (unknowing of true reality) and
ego while expecting to have a perfect life. We must first learn to have
peacefulness, contentedness, and love for all beings.
The time has come for humans to wake up to the realization that no one is
coming to save us and that if we are interested in a better, more peaceful
existence, we need to create this for ourselves.
As a species, we need to evolve to a Higher Consciousness. The human
mind and all of humankind cannot maintain the extensive amount of craving,
anger, and ignorance that exists in the world today. It’s unsustainable!
There has been war, fighting, and destruction in the past and this continues
in the present and, we can expect the same in the future if we do not look to
resolve the internal conflict that exists within each human mind. Each
individual needs to apply effort and energy to attain Enlightenment and to rid
the planet of craving, anger, and ignorance from within their own mind.
The time has come for the evolution of our species beyond our current
state of existence through the pursuit of Enlightenment, resulting in a
Higher Consciousness for all humans. To sustain life on this planet, we
must all evolve to a Higher Consciousness and eliminate craving, anger,
and ignorance. The time is now.
This book and book series will provide you Teachings that lead you and
those around you to a better existence. An existence where people can have
love, care, compassion, and generosity. We must learn to be pleased with
others' successes, through a peaceful, calm, and content mind.
Our entire worldwide civilization, has been in the process of self-destruction
due to the unwholesome intentions, speech, and actions of all individuals
and our society as a whole.
We have massive amounts of warring, terrorism, disease, famine, mass
shootings, drug addiction, sexual abuse, sexual promiscuity, rape, murders,
pregnancy outside of committed relationships, poor working conditions,
obesity, destruction of our planet and its resources, suicide, harm to animals,
human trafficking, orphans, childhood deaths, financial disasters, corrupt
politics and much more.
We are effectively creating “hell” on earth.
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These are the results of countless generations of unwholesome decisions.
We are experiencing the results of our individual and collective decisions.
This is Kamma, the results of our decisions. (More on “Kamma” later in this
book.)
Our current civilization has been born out of craving, anger, and ignorance
(unknowing of true reality) through constant and never-ending craving of “the
mind” while attempting to satisfy our desire to build or maintain ego and a
protection of the self. This book provides you Teachings that you can learn
and practice to see the truth for yourself. You can gain wisdom how to
abandon craving, anger, and ignorance while eliminating desires and
dissolving the ego and realizing non-self.
This book series provides you Teachings for a “life practice”, not a religion,
that when implemented will lead you to a Higher Consciousness, to
Enlightenment.
This book will lead you to a life practice to attain the three core Teachings
listed below and where you will experience a better existence and a better
way of life.
1.) Universal Love for All Beings
2.) Do No Harm
3.) Be a Good Moral Person
You will need to learn and practice these Teachings to obtain the results of
an improved existence for you, those close to you, and all of humanity. You
will need Teachers and guides to assist you along “The Path”.
No matter what your existing faith and/or practice might be, these Teachings
will help you to practice the most important aspects of your current faith
tradition, Teachings that were intended by all the “original Teachers” and all
the wholesome traditions that exist in the world today.
Learning and practicing The Teachings of Gotama Buddha is to receive even
more clarity on how to become an improved individual on this “path of life”
as a continuation of what you have already been working on your entire life
no matter what tradition of Teachings you grew up with or if you had no
Teachings from any tradition at all.
These Teachings can be practiced within any religious tradition or
without any religion at all. A belief in God is not required and will not
hinder your progress.
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In the practice of these Teachings, there is no one to worship or give praise.
There are no “rites, rituals, ceremonies, or worship” associated with these
Teachings. There is no centralized organization that places requirements on
you as an individual.
You will notice The Teachings in this book, in many cases, reflect traditions
you may have been previously taught or even basic Teachings shared with
you by your primary caregivers as you developed from childhood into adult
life. However, the more you learn and practice these Teachings you will
observe the clarity and concise approach to Gotama Buddha’s Teachings to
train the mind. Gotama Buddha’s Teachings provide a path to “a better way
of life” that is straight forward yet profound in its effect at improving the
quality of the mind and your life.
These Teachings can be shared with family members and assist you in
developing deeper relationships in all your various roles within society.
This is “Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to Enlightenment”.
It’s a better existence, a better way to relate to the world around you, and a
way that everyone in society can learn to be accepting, caring,
compassionate, trusting, and without fear or other negative emotions.
It’s a way that we can better care for ourselves, each other, and our planet.
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Chapter 2
Why Study Gotama Buddha’s Teachings?
The basic premise for anyone who might consider studying Gotama
Buddha's Teachings to attain Enlightenment is the following…
Life is unsatisfactory and in life we all experience “discontentedness or
suffering”. To be motivated to study and practice Gotama Buddha’s
Teachings and thus spend lots of time and effort, the world must be
“shocked” into not being so comfortable with “what is” and be able to see
“what is the future if more and more humans attain Enlightenment”.
If all humans see the world as a happy, delightful, and a comfortable place to
exist, there is no motivation to do anything to improve one’s own life.
Thus, one must feel very uncomfortable with life and its existence in order to
be motivated to study, learn, implement, and gain the results of Gotama
Buddha’s Teachings. The results are a liberated mind and a pure mind,
Enlightenment.
You may have experienced happiness and excitement in your life but you
have also experienced a lot of pain and suffering that you would not want to
repeat.
Gotama Buddha’s goal was to provide Teachings that gave the mind a place
where it could be permanently peaceful, calm, serene, and content with joy.
The mental state of Enlightenment will completely eliminate
discontentedness of the mind, for every human. A Practitioner’s mind who
has attained Enlightenment will have concentration, clarity, and an increased
ability for memorization which will prove useful in daily life.
Gotama Buddha understood that the mental state of Enlightenment is
permanent while everything else in the world is impermanent. Because of our
cravings, desires, attachments and clinging for everything to be permanent,
we cause our own discontentedness in the mind. Nobody can cause us
discontentedness but instead, we cause it ourselves.
You will learn in these Teachings that you cause all the discontent feelings
associated with anger, sadness, boredom, loneliness, stress, anxiety, etc.
And, you will learn how to completely eliminate the feelings of anger,
sadness, boredom, loneliness, stress, anxiety, or other discontent feelings so
that you will never experience a discontent mind.
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No one ever said life would be “easy” but it’s also not supposed to be
“tough”. Learning Gotama Buddha's Teachings is not “easy” but
learning and practicing The Teachings of The Buddha will ensure “life is
not tough”.
Gotama Buddha’s Teachings are not to control an individual nor dictate what
they should or should not do. But instead, provide guidance that when
practiced will lead to Enlightenment, a peaceful, contented, and liberated
mind and, thus, a peaceful and content life. Everything in this practice is
obtained through personal choice.
A Discontent Mind - There Are No Quick Fixes
Living as a human being can be challenging and difficult even in the best of
times. The human mind is vastly misunderstood across all of humanity.
Gotama Buddha’s Teachings are not based on belief. It is important for each
Practitioner to learn The Teachings and practice The Teachings so that you
can observe the truth in The Teachings for yourself.
It is through understanding the truth in The Teachings and observing these
truths in practice that you will attain wisdom to liberate the mind.
These Teachings are meant to assist you in developing a peaceful, calm,
serene, and content mind with joy where you are unaffected by everyday
challenges that produce sadness, worry, anger, stress, anxiety, and other
discontent feelings.
Many people feel the goal in life is to be happy, but, happiness is
impermanent and cannot be kept forever. When the mind is not happy, thus,
unhappy, it will move to sadness, anger, or worse.
Therefore, if we dwell upon happiness and pursue it as a life goal, the
craving and desire for happiness will lead to a discontent mind because the
mind cannot hold on to happiness forever. Happiness is still impermanent
and is not the goal that would lead to Enlightenment or a lasting peaceful
mind.
Happiness is impermanent and the constant craving of happiness is the
reason why you have not been able to attain lasting happiness in your
life.
Gotama Buddha offered Teachings that would provide the mind a permanent
place to reside. These Teachings lead to a mind that is peaceful, calm,
serene, and content with joy that has fully cultivated generosity, loving-
29


kindness, and compassion among other wholesome qualities. These
Teachings will guide you in developing a mind that has joy in seeing others
succeed and is without craving, anger, and ignorance (unknowing of true
reality) and free from ego enabling the realization of non-self. This is
Enlightenment.
Attaining Enlightenment, you would have eliminated discontentedness or
suffering of the mind. With every human attaining Enlightenment the entire
world would be kind, peaceful and loving.
It is possible.
But you must strive and work to attain Enlightenment through learning and
practicing The Teachings so that you can attain the results. No person or
entity can “give” you Enlightenment. You must gradually progress through
learning and implementing these Teachings.
Enlightenment is not a quick fix or an instantaneous result. In English we use
the word “Enlightenment” but attaining Enlightenment is not like turning on a
“light switch”. The mind will need gradual training to learn and practice The
Teachings shared in this book and book series with the guidance of
Teachers.
Enlightenment is a permanent mental state you can attain through liberating
the mind with wisdom.
This is one reason why Enlightenment is permanent.
Once you gain the wisdom that leads you to Enlightenment, you will not
“unlearn” that wisdom and the mind will permanently reside peaceful, calm,
serene, and content with joy. The mind will be “unshakable” and
“unaffected” by life situations and all that happens in everyday life. The mind
will need gradual training in the direction of Enlightenment. Your dedication
and commitment to learning and growing is important. Determination,
dedication, and diligence applied to your goal of Enlightenment is important.
What Will I Learn?
The Teachings in this book and book series are Teachings that ultimately
came from Gotama Buddha, a Teacher and a person that never wanted to be
idolized, worshiped, or have his image captured in a statue. It’s not a
religion. It’s a way of life. These Teachings and practices lead to a “better
way of life”.
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Gotama Buddha said, “One who sees The Teachings sees me, one who sees
me, sees The Teachings”. Meaning, he was a walking, living, breathing
example of his Teachings and if you understand and practice his Teachings
deeply enough you can see his Teachings everywhere around you in real life.
There is no need to see him or have him exist in the human form because we
can see his Teachings in the world, we do not need to see his physical form.
Gotama Buddha is not a God or someone to worship or give praise to. He
asks for nothing. He was merely a humble Teacher who asked for nothing
and expected nothing in return for his Teachings. He taught without
arrogance, pride, or conceit.
The Teachings of Gotama Buddha have been significantly diminished and
are practically invisible on this planet. While we have Temples, male
Ordained Practitioners, female Ordained Practitioners, and other traces of
Gotama Buddha’s Teachings, those practicing his Teachings closely, those
who truly understand his Teachings and the number of people attaining
Enlightenment through his Teachings, is currently minimal but will now be
increasing. Gotama Buddha’s Teachings have been affected by
impermanence.
The Teachings in this book series present The Teachings that lead to
Enlightenment as existed during Gotama Buddha’s lifetime.
While nearly 500 million people in the world are identified as Practitioners of
Gotama Buddha’s Teachings, there are multiple traditions with different
Teachings and practices. The Teachings in this book series are those that
existed closest to the time of his death from the Theravada tradition of
Gotama Buddha’s Teachings. The meaning of Theravada is “teachings of the
elders”. The Theravada tradition considers The Pāli Canon as the original
source text for what was taught by Gotama Buddha. We do not believe The
Pāli Canon but instead investigate The Teachings to learn, reflect, and
practice them to independently verify the truth to acquire wisdom. In this
way, as the condition of the mind gradually improves, reducing then
eliminating discontentedness, one can observe what they are learning is the
truth.
If the entire world practiced Gotama Buddha’s Teachings, we would not have
mass amounts of warring, terrorism, countries fighting, an unwholesome
earth, massive storms, people dying in poverty, children without parents,
unwholesome drugs/substances, murders, rapes, suicide, incurable diseases
or sickness, lack of education and countless other aspects of the world that
appear to be causing “self-destruction” of human civilization and the planet
we inhabit.
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Human beings are causing all these problems in the world which means
we can eliminate all these problems in the world through learning and
practicing Teachings that lead to a better way of life.
Humans can have generosity, loving-kindness, compassion, be pleased with
others’ success, evenness of temper especially in difficult situations, treat all
people fairly, eliminate craving, anger, and ignorance (unknowing of true
reality) while conducting their life in a way that does no harm to themselves,
other beings or our planet. There is a better way to live life through
understanding and practicing The Teachings that lead to a Higher
Consciousness or Enlightenment.
When is this world going to be SHOCKED enough to wake up to the
reality that no one is coming to save us? We must save ourselves from
the problems that we have created.
All the problems in the world are created by human beings and thus human
beings can resolve the problems we have created.
Each person in the world will need to “earn their own Enlightenment”.
Are you ready to experience a life without suffering or discontentedness?
Would you like to have focus, concentration, clarity of mind and improved
memory? Would you like to learn how to have compassion for all beings with
a peaceful, calm, serene, and content mind with joy experiencing lasting
inner fulfillment? Would you like to create lasting inner peace and have
harmony in your relationships?
You will learn how to develop a peaceful, calm, and stable mind that is
unshakable, never again experiencing discontentedness.
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A Rare Human Existence
Meditate, Monks, do not be complacent, lest you regret it later.
This is my instruction to you.
(Gotama Buddha)
(Reference: SN 43.1)
Gotama Buddha explained that our existence in the human realm is
extremely rare and unique. His simile described for us just how rare this
existence as a human really is and why we should pursue Enlightenment in
this human state or we will regret it later.
Rare That One Obtains the Human State
Monks, suppose that this great earth had become one mass of water, and a man would
throw a ring with a single hole upon it. An easterly wind would drive it westward; a
westerly wind would drive it eastward; a northerly wind would drive it southward; a
southerly wind would drive it northward. There was a blind turtle which would come to
the surface once every hundred years. What do you think, Monks, would that blind
turtle, coming to the surface once every hundred years, insert its neck into that ring with
a single hole?
‘It would be rare, Venerable Sir, that the blind turtle coming to surface once every
hundred years, would insert its neck into that ring with a single hole.’
So too, Monks, it is rare that one obtains the human state; rare that a Tathāgata, an
Arahant, a Perfectly Enlightened One arises in the world; rare that The Teachings and
Discipline proclaimed by The Tathāgata shines in the world.
You have obtained that human state, Monks; a Tathāgata, an Arahant, a Perfectly
Enlightened One has arisen in the world; The Teachings and Discipline proclaimed by
The Tathāgata shines in the world.
Therefore, Monks, an effort should be made to understand: ‘This is discontentedness’;
an effort should be made to understand: ‘This is the cause of discontentedness’; an
effort should be made to understand: ‘This is the elimination of discontentedness’; an
effort should be made to understand: ‘This is the way leading to the elimination of
discontentedness.’
(Gotama Buddha)
(Reference: SN 56.48)
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You have this rare human existence to cultivate the mind while in the human
state, develop a pure mind, and escape The Cycle of Rebirth. The human
existence is perfect to be motivated to learn and practice these Teachings
because the unEnlightened mind experiences a pleasant feeling, a painful
feeling, and feelings that are neither painful-nor-pleasant and humans have
the ability to cultivate the mind. In a human existence, we experience all
three types of discontentedness of mind and, thus, have an interest to
overcome it by developing the mind and escaping The Cycle of Rebirth.
For a Practitioner who is new to this path or is just starting out, I suggest you
set aside The Teachings on The Cycle of Rebirth until there is a well
developed understanding and practice of the core and central Teachings.
The core Teachings are The Three Universal Truths, The Four Noble Truths,
The Eight Fold Path, The Five Precepts with a well developed meditation
practice. You will learn these and more through this book series and by
connecting with a Teacher to seek guidance.
What happened in the past is in the past. What may or may not happen in
the future is in the future. What is important is that right now you are
experiencing a discontent mind and focusing on the core Teachings will
allow you to experience results of an improved condition of the mind. When
you are ready, there are Teachings towards the end of this book on The
Cycle of Rebirth and you can seek guidance to guide you in understanding
The Cycle of Rebirth. But for now, it is suggested that you focus on
establishing a well developed practice of the core and central Teachings.
Do not waste this human existence. Do not be the last person to attain
Enlightenment. Seek liberation of the mind by wisdom. Understand that
anger, sadness, loneliness and all other unwelcome emotions can be
eliminated. Eradicate every drop of complacency. Learn and practice The
Teachings of Gotama Buddha which will completely liberate you from the
darkness that has a hold on the unEnlightened mind.
You can decide to start pursuing “The Path” towards Enlightenment by
continuing to read, learn, grow, evolve and implement these Teachings.
Having a Teacher is helpful and required to attain Enlightenment. These
Teachings are not practiced as a religion, but as a way of life or lifestyle and
it will be important for you to seek guidance from someone who understands
how to guide you in learning and implementing these Teachings into your life.
One key attribute of the mind that you must maintain in your pursuit of
Enlightenment and beyond is the interest to learn and be open to all of life’s
lessons.
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An open mind that learns from every situation but practices The Teachings to
find the truth and wisdom in The Teachings, will most likely find
Enlightenment. You will find the truth and the wisdom that liberates the mind.
A mind that is closed and not interested in being open to learning from all
people, will wander and lengthen their path to final knowledge and liberation
of the mind. Many more rebirths will be needed to escape The Cycle of
Rebirth with the risk of being reborn into one of the lower realms of
existence, afflicted spirits realm, animal realm, or hell realm.
A closed mind may never be liberated because it is not open to learning The
Teachings that lead to Enlightenment.
Gotama Buddha’s Teachings are not to be interpreted but instead, practiced
so that one may know the “truth” and gain wisdom leading to liberation of
the mind.
It is through your practice that you gain wisdom and know the truth, and
through wisdom that the mind is liberated.
So, if anyone ever provides you a Teaching, you would have to practice that
Teaching to determine if it’s truth. In this way, you can learn, reflect, and
practice The Teachings to determine exactly what is the truth and what leads
to Enlightenment.
In this way, Gotama Buddha’s Teachings cannot be interpreted incorrectly
because you discover the “truth” in your practice. If someone does interpret
The Teachings incorrectly, you discover whether they are correct or incorrect
from practicing The Teachings.
Everyone’s number one goal in life should be to attain Enlightenment, thus
be loving, kind, and compassionate to all beings. Learning The Path to
Enlightenment and implementing these Teachings into your life is like walking
a path to a better life existence.
We must empty the mind of the negativity that it often holds on to, cultivate a
peaceful, calm, serene, and content mind with joy that has abandoned
craving, anger, and ignorance (unknowing of true reality), while dissolving the
ego to realize non-self. This is the future of the world and how to create a
comfortable existence for all beings where we respect each other and
mother earth.
Gotama Buddha provided us Teachings that lead to a better way of life.
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Peacefulness, contentedness, a stable mind with generosity, loving-kindness
towards all beings, compassion, being pleased for others’ success, and
calmness is a better way of life in which we experience peace on earth.
Long after his death, people gathered these “Teachings for a better way of
life” and made them into a “religion”. Gotama Buddha was not a Buddhist
and had no plans to create a religion. The term “Buddhist” was created long
after his death. He was a Teacher who taught us a better way of life.
Statues were eventually created and, rites and rituals along with many other
aspects were added that turned The Teachings into what some consider to
be a religion.
Gotama Buddha’s Teachings are meant to be studied and practiced so that
we can obtain the results of a peaceful, loving, compassionate and generous
society.
His original Teachings do not contain “belief” or “worship”. You should not
believe The Teachings or worship Gotama Buddha because when you
practice his Teachings, you see the results for yourself observing the truth to
gain wisdom. You discover the truth and you have appreciation for his
Teachings but do not worship him. Gradually learn to practice his Teachings
until they become natural for you.
When you practice The Teachings, you see the mind becomes more steady,
calm, and peaceful. This is why a society of people practicing Gotama
Buddha’s Teachings is widely peaceful and loving with lots of smiles and
care for others.
Look for ways to help others and support others along The Path to
Enlightenment through friendly discussions and friendship in a Community of
Practitioners.
The measure of a successful nation and a successful society is not by how
much money people have, how much land and how much material
possessions that exist.
The measure of a successful nation and a successful society is how calm
and peaceful the people are among each other. Are the people genuinely
peaceful, considerate, loving, warm, kind and open to helping all beings? Do
the people work together to help each other to cultivate a warm loving
society? Is there fighting, racism, hatred, ill will, greed, hate groups, mass
shootings, no time for family, all work, and no time for a peaceful
coexistence? That is not success; it is not freedom.
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If you would like to model a “truly successful and peaceful” society, look at
Thailand. These people have figured out how to peacefully co-exist for
multiple centuries and are Practitioners of Gotama Buddha’s Teachings.
While Thailand is not perfect, there are many wholesome attributes of Thai
society that can be attributed to their culture being rooted in The Teachings
of The Buddha.
It’s not an experiment - its proven truth as we can observe the polite, kind,
friendly, and respectful peacefulness among many who live in Thailand.
How did people learn during the lifetime of Gotama Buddha?
Gotama Buddha attained Full and Perfect Enlightenment through
independent realization of Enlightenment. In the pursuit of independently
realized Enlightenment, a person obtains extensive amounts of wisdom in
order to attain their own Enlightenment without any Teachers.
Gotama Buddha’s knowledge is represented by all the soil on the earth while
what he taught during his lifetime that leads to Enlightenment was
represented only by the soil that existed under his finger nail.
During the lifetime of Gotama Buddha, there were many seekers of wisdom.
Recognizing Gotama Buddha’s high degree of Enlightenment as The Fully
Perfectly Enlightened Buddha, humans asked him questions and received
Teachings. This is how people learned.
As a Fully Perfectly Enlightened Buddha, he had extensive amounts of
wisdom represented by all the soil of all the earth.
Gotama Buddha only ever shared Teachings that liberate the mind to attain
Enlightenment and would only teach that which people asked and which
helped lead the people to Enlightenment. He did not push or force his
Teachings onto others but instead, only taught those who were seeking
guidance with him through asking questions. However, he did not answer all
questions asked of him because the answers were not beneficial and did not
lead to Enlightenment.
Through the questions people asked, Gotama Buddha understood what
people needed to know so that he could guide them to Enlightenment.
Gotama Buddha would not have enough time during his lifetime to teach
“everything” that he knew as a Fully Perfectly Enlightened Buddha. That
would be too difficult and lengthy.
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So, it is questions from the Students, that allowed Gotama Buddha to
provide The Teachings people needed to liberate their mind. You should also
view this practice as an independent journey, in which, you seek guidance
from Teachers but you ensure you are asking questions to seek more and
more knowledge from your Teachers. Only a true Buddha would be able to
attain Enlightenment without the guidance of any Teachers. Since you are
not a Buddha, you will need guidance from a Teacher.
Today, it seems that many “want” and “crave” to teach and few are willing to
apply determination, dedication, and diligence to learn.
Due to extensive amounts of craving to show their wisdom and increased
amounts of ego (i.e. arrogance), it is extremely common for people to share
their information and rare for people to ask questions to learn from others.
Many want to teach but rarely are people interested to learn.
If humanity is going to evolve past its current state of existence, there will
need to be open minded people who are interested to learn, to ask questions
and gain The Teachings needed to liberate the mind of billions of humans on
this planet.
When you know of someone that has wisdom you’d like to acquire, ask them
questions and listen attentively to the answers. Then, ask them more
questions and still more.
Start listening and learning to gain knowledge. Let the Teacher know what
questions you have, so they can guide you to liberate the mind by wisdom
through your own practice of these Teachings.
Establishing a Solid Practice of These Teachings
To get started learning and practicing these Teachings, it is important that
you develop a consistent meditation practice to train the mind which
includes guidance from Teachers. The Chapter “Meditation: Developing Your
Practice” (Chapter 11) will guide you in establishing a dedicated meditation
practice.
You will need The Teachings, Teachers, dedication and commitment to
learning and growing towards attaining Enlightenment.
In the world of Gotama Buddha’s Teachings, there are several sources of
information and Teachings.
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It is important that you source The Teachings from a reliable source that
is dedicated to the accurate translation of The Pāli Canon. Assembled
into forty-five (45) volumes of books, the Pāli text or Pāli Canon is the
original source of Gotama Buddha’s Teachings.
This book and book series have reliable translations of Gotama Buddha’s
Teachings and the experiences of a dedicated Practitioner and Teacher
to guide you in learning and practicing The Teachings.
Internet sources such as Wikipedia and others are not considered reliable
sources of The Teachings. When you find Teachers who have attained
Enlightenment, they will have a reliable source of The Teachings. (More
on how to find Teachers who have attained Enlightenment later in this
book.)
Study these Teachings and practice The Teachings so that you can
independently observe the truth with the help of Teachers. Do not just
believe anything you learn in this tradition of Teachings, including those
Teachings in this book series. Belief will not liberate the mind through
wisdom. It is only when you observe the truth in The Teachings that then
becomes wisdom, will you understand the truth of reality so the mind can
be liberated to attain Enlightenment.
The Pāli Canon, the source of Gotama Buddha’s Teachings, does not
have everything you need to attain Enlightenment. This is why having this
book series and Teachers who have attained Enlightenment and who
share their experience is important as a guiding light for you.
This is why Gotama Buddha encouraged us to learn and practice The
Teachings. He was encouraging us to practice The Teachings to
determine the truth for ourselves with guidance from Teachers where you
are attaining growth.
You will know The Teachings are truth if you practice these Teachings and
they produce results which liberate the mind. As you study and practice
The Teachings, you should notice that the mind gradually becomes more
peaceful, calm, serene, and content with joy.
You should have observed truth in your practice and notice that The
Teachings you study and the practice you develop are progressing you
further along the path. Then you will know for sure that The Teachings
and Teachers you are learning with is accurate and are helpful.
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If the mind is abandoning such feelings as, anger, hatred, judgment, ill
will and is cultivating such qualities as generosity, loving-kindness,
compassion, and equanimity then The Teachings you study and the
practice you have established is leading you on the right path. There are
many qualities of the mind that you will eliminate and cultivate. As part of
learning and practicing these Teachings, you should notice gradual
improvements in the mind as you near closer and closer to
Enlightenment.
It is your practice of The Teachings that sorts through the impermanence
that affects all things, including the impermanence that affects The
Teachings of Gotama Buddha. It is your practice of The Teachings where
you discover the truth to liberate the mind.
As you progress in your learning and practice, reflect on The Teachings
through practice of The Teachings, so that you can determine the truth
for yourself.
In this way, you will not be misled because the benefits of what you learn
and practice are independently observable. These Teachings and
practices are based on guiding you to discover the truth and are not
based on belief.
The Teachings and practices in this book will assist you on the journey to
Enlightenment.
All the benefits you attain through these Teachings and practices are
based on your personal choices to learn and practice The Teachings
closer and closer to that which are known to produce Enlightenment.
A wise one is not going to hope, dream, or wish for awakening of the
mind but instead, take consistent and deliberate steps towards attaining
their own awakening to the Enlightened mind.
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Rules of Forbidden Activity or Guidance that Leads to Enlightenment
Oftentimes, Gotama Buddha’s Teachings are thought of or discussed as
“rules of forbidden activity”. Some will even translate his Teachings as
“training rules”.
In my opinion, if a Practitioner approaches The Path to Enlightenment in
this way, it is harmful to deeply understanding The Teachings of Gotama
Buddha and can inhibit one from attaining the objective of
Enlightenment.
Gotama Buddha shared Teachings that he knew would lead the mind to
Enlightenment.
Enlightenment is a peaceful, calm, serene and content mind with joy that
is permanent. The mind has eliminated all discontent feelings such as
sadness, anger, frustration, irritation, annoyance, guilt, shame, fears,
boredom, loneliness, shyness, jealousy, resentment, stress, anxiety, etc.
All discontent feelings are eliminated from the mind 100% with the mind
residing perfectly in the middle - peaceful, calm, serene, and content with
joy.
To attain the mental state of Enlightenment, a Practitioner needs to learn
The Teachings with guidance and practice these Teachings to
independently observe the “truth” for themselves acquiring wisdom.
It is through observing The Teachings in practice that one acquires
wisdom. The mind then functions through this newly found wisdom
making wholesome decisions based on the wisdom of The Teachings.
All progress on The Path to Enlightenment is attained through making
wholesome individual choices, wholesome individual decisions as part of
one’s own “free will”.
Following “rules of forbidden activity” will not lead a Practitioner to
making wholesome choices based on the wisdom they acquired through
learning and practicing The Teachings.
For Gotama Buddha’s Teachings to be “rules”, he would have had to
create a doctrine of rules with an organization to collect, distribute, and
enforce those rules.
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That is not what Gotama Buddha did.
He offered Teachings that he knew lead to the mental state of
Enlightenment, a peaceful, calm, serene, and content mind with joy that
is permanent, acquired through wise decision making by the individual
Practitioner. The mind is liberated through wise decision making based
on wisdom.
Through Students learning and practicing these Teachings, a Practitioner
can observe through their own learning and practice that the condition of
the mind improves.
Anger and frustration in the mind is slowly and gradually reduced and
ultimately completely eliminated - along with all other discontent feelings.
Individual Practitioners can observe for themselves that The Teachings
and practices shared improved the condition of the mind through training
of the mind.
Nothing Gotama Buddha taught is based on belief but instead, Teachings
are shared with guidance that when learned and practiced can be
observed as truth to acquire wisdom.
For one to learn and practice Gotama Buddha’s Teachings is a personal
choice based on free will decisions.
To attain Enlightenment is not to “follow rules of forbidden activity” but
instead “learning and practicing Teachings with guidance from a
Teacher”.
Gotama Buddha did not establish a set of rules to be enforced but
instead, shared Teachings with guidance that through your own
wholesome personal choices will lead the mind to Enlightenment - if you
choose to learn and practice with the guidance of a Teacher.
There are no rules, forbidden activity, or certain things that Gotama
Buddha necessarily allowed or disallowed.
His Teachings are guidance that you can choose to learn and practice or
not.
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If his Teachings are rules of forbidden activity, who is coming to enforce
those rules?
Surely not Gotama Buddha or anyone else.
Learning and practicing The Teachings as guidance will lead a
Practitioner towards making countless wholesome decisions not because
of rules or enforcement of said rules, but because the Practitioner learns
through experience, then chooses to make wise wholesome decisions
leading to good wholesome results - the Enlightened mind.
Enlightenment is a peaceful, calm, serene, and content mind with joy that
is permanent based on personal choices to learn and practice Gotama
Buddha’s Teachings with guidance from a Teacher.
Gotama Buddha’s Teachings are guidance to learn and practice through
personal choice. Not rules. The mind will awaken to Enlightenment as it
gains wisdom in The Natural Laws of Existence (i.e. The Buddha’s
Teachings) and decides to develop a life practice based on wise decision
making.
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.
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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
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.
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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.
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
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“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”.
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Chapter 3
Enlightenment:
What is Enlightenment?
There is quite the hesitation in some people to discuss "Enlightenment",
“Nibbāna", “nirvana”, "nippon", a “spiritual awakening”, a “Higher Mind”, a
“Higher Consciousness”, etc. A person who has attained Enlightenment
would never tell you they are experiencing Enlightenment, and if they do,
would you believe them?
Enlightenment is a peaceful, calm, serene, and content mind with joy that is
permanent. Enlightenment is the elimination of craving, anger, and ignorance,
dissolving of the ego and realization of non-self. An Enlightened 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. You do not need to live
with the constant struggles and burden of these unwelcome and discontent
feelings. You can eliminate them through The Path to Enlightenment.
The mind needs to be gradually trained to eliminate craving, anger, and
ignorance (unknowing of true reality) and it is these Teachings on The Path to
Enlightenment that will help you to learn exactly how to accomplish this goal.
The Path to Enlightenment is a journey of growing, learning, and evolving
through the gaining of wisdom or knowledge that develops a pure mind
through training the mind in a “life practice”. There is gradual training and
gradual practice that results in gradual progress.
Only you can do this important work to learn, reflect, and practice The
Teachings to improve the condition of the mind and your life. Everything is
experienced through the mind, so through training the mind in this way, one
is then able to make wiser decisions through your own free will to improve
your life. Accomplishing this goal, a Practitioner’s mind will then permanently
reside peaceful, calm, serene, and content with joy.
Through The Path to Enlightenment, you will attain a stable, peaceful, and
steady mind. You will develop lasting inner fulfillment and a content mind.
Enlightenment is attained gradually over time through learning and practicing
Gotama Buddha’s Teachings so that you can observe truth that will allow
you to acquire wisdom. The mind is gradually liberated to attain
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Enlightenment through acquiring wisdom to know the true reality of
existence by learning and practicing Gotama Buddha’s Teachings - The
Natural Laws of Existence.
The unEnlightened mind does not understand “true reality” and through its
misperceptions of how things function in the world, one makes unwise
decisions leading to unwholesome results which includes discontent
feelings.
The Natural Laws of Existence are those aspects of the world that explain
the way things happen in the world and are independently verifiable. They
are not clearly seen by the untrained and unwise mind.
For example, The Natural Law of Kamma is a Natural Law of Existence.
The Buddha’s Teachings explain these natural laws so that through gaining
this intellectual learning you can apply effort reflecting and practicing to
observe the truth for yourself acquiring wisdom of The Natural Laws of
Existence. Everything that we experience is based on these natural laws.
Because these natural laws exist throughout the world and the world
functions through these natural laws, once you learn them and reflect on
them, you can see the truth of what The Buddha is explaining through the
practice of his Teachings.
The Buddha explains in his Teachings such as The Three Universal Truths,
The Four Noble Truths, The Eight Fold Path, The Five Precepts, The Natural
Law of Kamma, etc., how the world functions through these natural laws and
with that wisdom, a Practitioner can then make wiser decisions, no longer
struggling with difficulties through the unknowing of these natural laws. And,
this is why it is important to not believe The Teachings but instead, to learn,
reflect, and practice so that you can see the truth for yourself of what these
natural laws are and how they function so that you can acquire deep and
profound wisdom to better operate through these natural laws making wiser
decisions leading to wholesome outcomes.
The Buddha’s Teachings in this book series will explain these natural laws in
a way that you can learn, reflect, and practice to acquire the wisdom of
these natural laws leading to wiser decision making resulting in wholesome
outcomes for your life.
It is a real struggle to exist in a world that the mind does not understand. It is
“The Words of The Buddha” that explain The Natural Laws of Existence
guiding the mind to acquire deep wisdom to make better free will decisions
through a purified mind.
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“The mind” is not the brain. The brain is not “the mind”. The brain is the
organ that controls the functions of “the body”. The mind is not physical in
nature, it is not tangible and cannot be touched. But the mind can be
trained.
The mind is our consciousness where our intentions for speech and actions
originate along with our thoughts, ideas, emotions, feelings, decisions, and
perceptions, arise, are experienced, and then cease to exist. They are
impermanent or temporary.
Enlightenment is attainable. It’s not something to be shy about or only talked
about with a close group of friends who won't embarrass you.
Enlightenment is thought, by some, to be unachievable or something that
only Ordained Practitioners or highly religious people can attain. I am here to
tell you this is not true.
Buddhists, Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, non-faith Practitioners, and all
forms and labels of humans that are assignable can earn Enlightenment and
experience a life without suffering or discontentedness. Let’s just think of
everyone as a human without labels. That is best. We are all humans and a
way to a better life is for everyone to attain Enlightenment. It’s like "heaven
on earth".
Enlightenment is attainable during your current lifetime or at death. If you
have not attained Enlightenment during this lifetime or at death, you will be
reborn back into another existence. “The Cycle of Rebirth” will continue with
a significantly rare opportunity to ever be reborn into the human realm again.
Beings in the human and heavenly realms can attain Enlightenment.
Buddhism is a religion that people invented. Gotama Buddha offered
Teachings as a Teacher, others made them into a religion. The Path he
described to Enlightenment does not need to include religion.
If you find yourself not as engaged with the “rites, rituals, ceremonies, and
worship” of an organized faith practice, this could be an indication that you
are well on your way towards Enlightenment. Someone that is pursuing a
path towards Enlightenment will typically step away from organized religion
realizing that rites, rituals, ceremonies, and worship of organized religion are
not required for one to achieve a better life.
You can practice a good moral life where you do no harm to others sharing
universal love and compassion because you “know” it’s the “right” thing for
life, not because a specific religion has told you what is right or wrong.
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You can attain Enlightenment as a regular person living in your home.
Enlightenment has no judgment or discrimination. Enlightenment is not held
or reserved for a special class of people. Enlightenment is for all people.
Earning Enlightenment is challenging and takes a lot of work, but it is
attainable. There are people that have experienced Enlightenment while
living a normal and productive life in modern times.
Let’s open up the stigma of talking about Enlightenment and accept that it
should be the goal of every human to attain this state of mind. Once you are
experiencing Enlightenment and know the path, you can share it and help
others on the path. Should you choose, you can learn the path now.
Enlightenment is nothing to prop up an ego against or state that someone is
higher than anyone else. Someone with Enlightenment is not a special
person or a special class of person. In fact, if someone expresses these
thoughts or thinks this way, you can be sure they have not experienced
Enlightenment.
Now, let’s discuss: What is Enlightenment?
Enlightenment is a mind free of craving/desire/attachment, anger/
hatred/ill will, and ignorance/delusion/unknowing of true reality with the
realization of non-self and dissolving of the ego. (More on all these topics
later in this book and book series.)
Enlightenment is a peaceful, calm, serene, and content mind with joy that is
permanent. Enlightenment is the elimination of craving, anger, and ignorance
(unknowing of true reality), dissolving of the ego and realization of non-self.
An Enlightened being is experiencing these mental qualities for the rest of
their life.
Peaceful: free from disturbance; tranquil
Calm: the absence of nervousness, agitation, or excitement in the mind
Serene: calm, peaceful, and untroubled; tranquil
Content: a state of satisfaction
Joy: pleased and delighted not associated with any specific object;
unconditioned gladness; the Practitioner is not attaining it by craving/desire/
attachment.
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These definitions explain what one is experiencing at “all times” once the
mind is Enlightened. These mental qualities are permanent for the
Enlightened mind as they are not based on any impermanent condition.
These mental qualities do not arise, do not change, and do not fade away.
They are unconditioned.
An Enlightened 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. The
mind will have a high degree of focus, concentration, memory, and clarity of
mind. You do not need to live with the constant struggles and burden of
these unwelcome and discontent feelings. You can eliminate them through
The Path to Enlightenment.
The Path to Enlightenment is a purification of the mind. Having attained
Enlightenment, the mind will be purified and be peaceful, calm, serene, and
content with joy having eliminated 100% of all discontentedness -
permanently.
A person who has attained Enlightenment will have eliminated The Ten
Fetters. These are also referred to as “taints” or “pollution of the mind”.
A simple way to think of the experience of Enlightenment, is that an
Enlightened being, having eliminated 100% of all discontentedness, will
always be in a good mood. There is never a time when an Enlightened being
will experience a bad mood. The good mood is permanent because the mind
has been trained through the elimination of all pollution of mind and
conditions that cause a bad mood.
You will have an interest in giving and sharing known as generosity. The mind
will have a genuine interest in seeing all beings be well or loving-kindness.
The mind will have concern for the misfortune of others or compassion.
There will be joy in others’ success even though you did not contribute to
their success or sympathetic joy. The mind will have evenness of temper,
especially in difficult situations, or equanimity. You will be able to treat all
beings equally. The mind will have acquired deep wisdom in how to practice
these qualities of mind and others through the attainment of Enlightenment.
You no longer pursue cravings or desires but seek only what you “need” in
life, not what you “want”.
You will have trust in all beings. You will not blame others for the problems
you face.
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A mind experiencing Enlightenment will have an unshakable calmness,
steadiness, and be “content” or “satisfied with what is” experiencing no
discontentedness.
When you attain Enlightenment, you will clear out unwholesome thoughts,
not cling to the past or future. The mind will be able to live clearly in the
present moment where it can be peaceful. You will have a pure mind to
conduct your daily life and make free will life decisions through wisdom that
result in wholesome outcomes.
Enlightenment is achievable by all humans. Children were known to attain
Enlightenment as young as age 7 during the lifetime of Gotama Buddha.
The more one understands and knows what Enlightenment is and is not, the
more likely they will be to attain this mental state. This chapter is to help you
understand the goal so that you will be able to progress towards the
objective and know when the mind has arrived.
As you pursue Enlightenment, you will be able to eliminate your cravings and
addictions. You will be open and trusting of all beings and not see another as
an enemy. You will not discriminate or judge others. You will not have a
desire to always be “right” and argue. If these exist now, you need more
growth and more inner development to fully awaken to the Enlightened mind.
The pursuit of Enlightenment is a gradual pursuit, a path towards a better
life. It is also a life without suffering or discontentedness of mind. It’s a higher
state of consciousness that allows you to function in life with ease and
smoothness. You clear the clouds of darkness that form discrimination,
judgment, and arrogance, among other unwholesome qualities of mind.
Gotama Buddha described that when one has attained Enlightenment they
“lay down the burden” or “lay down the stress”. This refers to the burden or
stress of life and the carrying of unwelcome emotions and feelings caused
by the mind’s mental longing with a strong eagerness (craving/desire/
attachment) which produces discontentedness.
Because one aspect of attaining Enlightenment is to extinguish any and all
craving (mental longing with a strong eagerness), you must not also have
craving and desire to attain Enlightenment. When there is craving, there can
be no Enlightenment. Therefore, we pursue Enlightenment as an interest,
goal, or objective without craving nor desire. Craving, desire, and attachment
are defined as “a mental longing for something with a strong eagerness”.
Enlightenment is not happiness as happiness is an impermanent feeling that
you cannot maintain permanently. Gotama Buddha’s Teachings provide the
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mind with a path to Enlightenment, a permanent mental state that is
peaceful, calm, serene, and content with joy.
Many feel the goal of life is to be happy but this is not possible. Permanent
happiness is an unrealistic goal and will only lead to further
discontentedness when the mind cannot maintain the feeling of happiness
long term. If the mind is not happy, it will move to sadness, anger, or worse.
Happiness is a pleasant feeling and is considered discontent because it is
impermanent. Since the mind cannot reside in happiness permanently, it is
unsatisfying. The mind is shaken up when experiencing conditioned pleasant
feelings and once the pleasant feelings are gone, one is left with painful
feelings of sadness, anger, frustration, irritation, etc.
Happiness is a feeling that is part of the three aspects of a discontent mind.
A discontent mind will experience pleasant feelings, painful feelings, and
feelings that are neither painful-nor-pleasant based on an impermanent
condition, rather than be inwardly peaceful, calm, serene, and content with
joy not based on a condition. The Enlightened mind is experiencing
unconditioned peacefulness, calmness, serenity, and contentedness with joy
and, therefore, it is permanent since these mental qualities are not based on
an impermanent condition.
Conditioned happiness is temporary and will not last forever. When the mind
is not happy, it will move to another feeling and, thus, the unEnlightened
mind cycles through all these impermanent feelings continuing to be
discontent because it is basing its internal feelings on impermanent
conditions.
Happiness is based on certain conditions that cause the mind to be happy.
When those conditions are removed, the happiness will be temporary and
the mind will move to another feeling. The feeling of happiness is
impermanent because it is based on certain conditions that need to exist to
create the feeling of happiness in the mind.
One who has attained Enlightenment will have a permanent mental state of
joy. Having attained Enlightenment, the joy experienced is without conditions
and not based on an impermanent situation, object, or experience and,
therefore, is permanent.
One can be happy without having the mental state of joy. To be joyful is a
mental state, not a temporary feeling like happiness. Happiness can exist
with ill will or hatred while the joyful mental state of Enlightenment would not
include ill will or hatred. A person who has attained Enlightenment will not
have ill will or hatred.
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Having attained Enlightenment, the mind will be peaceful, calm, serene, and
content with joy. This is a permanent mental state where the mind can
reside. As you attain Enlightenment, the mind will be peaceful, calm, serene,
and content with joy.
You will laugh, joke, and have fun but you will not allow the mind to dwell in
conditioned happiness because the mind will know it is impermanent.
Instead, the mind will be trained to acquire unconditioned joy which is
permanent because the mind is not latching onto impermanent conditions to
create the inner joy.
You will laugh, joke and have fun but then be able to easily bring the mind
back to the middle where the mind is peaceful, calm, serene, and content
with joy.
If the mind is unwilling to let go of impermanent conditioned happiness,
it will never experience permanent unconditioned joy of the Enlightened
mind.
With your current state of mind, you might think that a steady, calm, and
stable mind is impossible or unattainable. However, if you accept that these
things are attainable, it is just a matter of learning, implementing, and
experiencing this important change in your life. You can pursue
Enlightenment in this lifetime and the first step is making the decision that it
is attainable and that you WILL pursue it.
As you start to learn and implement The Teachings, found throughout this
book series, you will notice positive results. Slowly over time, the mind and
your life will improve as you understand and implement The Teachings. You
do not need to have belief, you will see the results when you implement The
Teachings to observe the truth acquiring wisdom.
Believing in God is not required and it will not hinder you in the process of
pursuing Enlightenment. Just learn and implement these Teachings because
you know that they are helping you to create a better life for yourself and
those around you.
Enlightenment is not a mystical and mysterious existence or a status of one
being higher than another. In fact, it’s just the opposite. It’s learning that a
polluted mind leads to a life of suffering and discontentedness.
Each person should make Enlightenment their number one goal in life.
By attaining Enlightenment, all things are possible. Whether you would like to
be a good partner, parent, friend, Student, employee, boss, sibling, etc., the
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