Luang Phor Buddhadasa

Luang Phor Buddhadasa

We think that if we do good we must get benefits. Or if we make merit we must get boon. 

But when we do good we don’t get anything. We only give up our kilesas (defilements), we get only happiness in return.

We think that if we are good to people, other people must be good to us. The truth is, we have a duty to do good. Whoever who treats us well or badly, that is not our affair. 

We think that when we give someone something, they must return us the favour. The truth is, giving is a sacrifice and we give happily. Giving with expectation is not giving. It is claiming a favour [in the future].

We think that when we grow up and become old we can do anything we want. The truth is, when we become senior we have to be more sensible. We cannot do evil as we have even less time left now. 

We think that we must accumulate many things for a stable and good life in the future. The truth is, there is no such thing as stability in this world. We can die at any time. 

We think that our own wants are the most important, we are the most important. The truth is, having no wants is the most important. None of us are important. 

We think that going to the temple, the heart becomes calm. The truth is, if we have the temple in our heart, our heart will become calm. 

We think that we will be able to obtain comfort and pleasure and ease. The truth is, being born is already suffering. No one is happy and comfortable throughout their life. 

We think that these things, these people, our body, all belong to us. We must keep them and not let them go. The truth is, there is nothing we can keep and there is no one who belongs to us. And in the end, there is nothing [left].

Luang Phor Buddhadasa

Wat Suan Mokkh, Surat Thani

Photo cr. Santikaro, Liberation Park

19 July 2023