“If those who were thousands of miles away chose to learn and practise what the Buddha taught, it was as if they were in the presence of the Buddha himself.”

The Teaching of Ajahn Suchart.

18 July 2024

“If those who were thousands of miles away chose to learn and practise what the Buddha taught, it was as if they were in the presence of the Buddha himself.”

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Question:  In China, people follow the teachings of many different Buddhas and Bodhisatta. Are those teachings the same as the ones we follow in Thailand?

Tan Ajahn: The teachings of the Buddhas are all the same even if there are hundreds of them. It is the same as with doctors: No matter how many doctors there are, they will all treat the flu in the same way, so you can go see any of them. Similarily, you can learn from any Buddha because they all teach the same thing, which boils down to three points: do good, give up evil, and purify your mind. These are the teachings of every Buddha. 

Therefore, it is not significant which Buddha you meet or choose to follow. Bowing, wâiing (Thai gesture), and other gestures of respect are not the essence of the practice. The Buddha did not teach us to just show respect externally; he wanted us to really listen to his teaching. We don’t pay respect like some people worship God. 

That’s not correct. Buddha is not God. Buddha is a teacher, an Ajahn.

People who go see the Buddha should pay attention and listen to him in order to benefit from his teachings. Just bowing isn’t enough. The Buddha said that even if someone was close enough to him that they could reach out and touch his robes, if they were not interested in Dhamma, it was like they were far, far away. However, if those who were thousands of miles away chose to learn and practise what he taught, it was as if they were in the presence of the Buddha himself. The proper way to approach the Buddha is with a determination to learn and study his teachings. 

Every Buddha is the same, whether it is Buddha Konāgamana or Buddha Matrieya, because they all gain enlightenment following the same path, using the same Four Noble Truths of dukkha, samudaya, nirodha, and magga. 

Magga (path) means to do good, to refrain from evil, and to purify your heart. Once magga is attained, desire can be discarded, and dukkha (discontentment) can be extinguished. Just these simple, short instructions are the teachings of the Buddhas that enable us to extinguish all dukkha from the heart.

“Mountain Dhamma, Mar 31, 2013”

By Ajahn Suchart Abhijāto

www.phrasuchart.com

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