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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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<strong>the</strong>re is no desire and no suffering. Right View is like a light that<br />

dispels darkness. <strong>The</strong> Buddha mentioned this, saying <strong>the</strong> light <strong>of</strong><br />

Right View removes <strong>the</strong> obstacles and destroys <strong>the</strong> barriers. He<br />

said:<br />

“Natthi paññasama abha”<br />

(<strong>The</strong>re is no light equal to wisdom)<br />

We live our lives as one who is awake, who is radiant – like a<br />

samana, like one who is possessed with <strong>the</strong> Samana-Dhamma.<br />

Living according to <strong>the</strong> Samana-Dhamma, one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> points to<br />

reflect on every day is this: as samanas we have a different status<br />

from householders. <strong>The</strong>y act, following <strong>the</strong> influence <strong>of</strong><br />

defilements and desires. Under <strong>the</strong> power <strong>of</strong> craving <strong>the</strong>y are<br />

always in need. But we, as samanas, endeavour only for being at<br />

peace. Our relationship to <strong>the</strong> requisites <strong>of</strong> a monk and <strong>the</strong><br />

necessities <strong>of</strong> life is free from likes and dislikes. It isn’t based on<br />

desire. Our life isn’t ruled by <strong>the</strong> power <strong>of</strong> craving. We live<br />

through <strong>the</strong> power <strong>of</strong> knowing. This is for our true benefit, and<br />

that is why <strong>the</strong> Buddha pointed it out.<br />

In <strong>the</strong> daily reflections <strong>of</strong> a samana, <strong>the</strong> Buddha reminded us to<br />

wisely consider <strong>the</strong> fact that time keeps passing, so we see that<br />

<strong>the</strong>re is nothing really sure and stable in life. It is not just that <strong>the</strong><br />

time <strong>of</strong> our lives passes, but along with it, everything that is part<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> material world also reveals instability and uncertainty. In<br />

<strong>the</strong> end everything will have to transform into emptiness, a state<br />

where a being, a person, a self, or “us and <strong>the</strong>m” can’t be found.<br />

We should reflect like this, and find support in heedfulness,<br />

because time keeps passing and passing. We should live with an<br />

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