Luang Por Liem: The Ways of the Peaceful - Wat Pah Nanachat
Luang Por Liem: The Ways of the Peaceful - Wat Pah Nanachat
Luang Por Liem: The Ways of the Peaceful - Wat Pah Nanachat
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without foundation – and he quotes from <strong>the</strong> Discourse <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Dung Beetle 25 : a beetle that feeds on excrement. His belly is full<br />
and round because <strong>of</strong> consuming all <strong>the</strong> excrement.<br />
Are we going to get lost and deluded with things like that?<br />
Material possessions and wealth, fame and praise – <strong>the</strong>se are<br />
external things. If <strong>the</strong>se things come to us, we should at least keep<br />
things within <strong>the</strong> scope <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> supporters’ intentions. <strong>The</strong>y want to<br />
enhance good and beautiful qualities. But if we lose ourselves in<br />
<strong>the</strong>se things, we won’t develop any <strong>of</strong> those qualities. We’ll fall<br />
into dangerous pitfalls. That’s why <strong>the</strong> Buddha gave <strong>the</strong> example<br />
<strong>of</strong> Devadatta 26 , who came under <strong>the</strong> sway <strong>of</strong> wealth, honour and<br />
praise. In <strong>the</strong> end it’s always wealth, honour and praise that ruins<br />
things.<br />
***<br />
25 Samyutta-Nikaya II Chapter VI, 17(Labhasankharasamyutta)<br />
26 Devadatta, deluded by <strong>the</strong> fame due to his psychic powers, tried to kill <strong>the</strong><br />
Buddha and take over <strong>the</strong> Sangha without success. Eventually he split <strong>the</strong><br />
Sangha, and was swallowed up by <strong>the</strong> earth for this heinous crime.<br />
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