Luang Pu Doo

Luang Pu Doo

Luang Pu Doo understood the differing natures of people who came to visit him, and had metta towards everyone. While he encouraged his disciples to practice, one devotee replied, “How can I practice and keep the precepts when I still like to drink alcohol?”

Luang Pu replied, “Well, if you want to continue drinking then you just go ahead. I don’t mind. However, I do just ask you to meditate for 5 minutes a day. That is enough.” 

The alcoholic couldn’t argue with Luang Pu because he felt that meditating for 5 minutes a day wasn’t too difficult. So he gave Luang Pu his word and departed. 

This man was a person who was true to his word and true to himself, so he did practice consistently without missing a single day. On occasion, he even refrained from drinking with his friends because he realised it was time for him to meditate. Soon, his mind became accustomed to the peace and tranquillity that arose during meditation, and eventually he gave up drinking without realising it. 

Later he had a chance to meet Luang Pu again, and Luang Pu told him, “I asked you to practice, know that this is for your own welfare and not mine.” 

With the faith and perseverance to practice, years later this man ordained to practice the Dhamma fully. 

There was another devotee who went to pay his respects to Luang Pu before he went on his way. Luang Pu told him to take the 5 precepts, but the devotee said, “I don’t dare to take the 5 precepts because I am going to go fishing and catch some shrimp in just a moment. It’s my job you know.” 

Luang Pu replied with kindness, “Do you know when you will die? It is not certain. For instance after you walk out of my kuti, you might be bitten by a snake in the middle of your journey before you reach the fishing ponds to catch fish and shrimp. You would not have committed any unwholesome kamma then, but you would still have your precepts. 

So even if you can’t keep the precepts fully, it is better than having totally no precepts at all.”

Luang Pu also showed no signs of jealousy or forbidding his disciple in any way when they want to practice the Dhamma. Once two of his disciples, students of Thammasat University said goodbye to Luang Pu, informing him that they would travel overnight to practice the Dhamma with Luang Ta Maha Bua Yannasampanno of Wat Pa Ban Tat.

Luang Pu raised his hands and said, “I anumodana with you. For me, I don’t have this opportunity.” 

But other times he would also encourage other students to rely on themselves as well, by telling them, “Good teachers although there are many, but it is important that you have to practice and learn by yourself more. That’s true goodness.”

Luang Pu was not a highly educated monk who was very good at giving Dhamma sermons, but he spoke simply and straight to the point. He would often remind his disciples that cultivating good deeds is important but one must also maintain one’s goodness. Just like planting a Dhamma tree, one must be careful not to let worms and insects such as greed, anger and delusion destroy the growing sapling.

Photo cr. Sith Poror