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Full Book available free: http://forestsanghapublications.org/assets/book/The-Collected-Teachings-of-Ajahn-Chah-Single-Volume.pdf T H E  F O U R  N O B L E  T R U T H S All the Teachings can be said to derive from an essential matrix of insight: The Setting in Motion of the Wheel of Truth (Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, SN 56.11). In this brief discourse the Buddha speaks about the nature of the Middle Way and the Four Noble Truths. It takes only twenty minutes to recite, and the structures and forms he used to express this teaching were familiar to people in his time. The Four Noble Truths are formulated like a medical diagnosis in the ayurvedic tradition: 1. the symptom 2. the cause 3. the prognosis 4. the cure The First Truth is the ‘symptom’. There is dukkha – we experience incompleteness, dissatisfaction or suffering. There might be periods of a coarse or even a transcendent happiness, but there are also feelings of discontent which can va...

When the Buddha was giving his very first instructions on monastic discipline, to a spontaneous gathering of 1,250 of his enlightened disciples at the Bamboo Grove, his first words were:  ‘Patient endurance is the supreme practice for freeing the heart from unwholesome states.’ (Dhp 183-85). Heedfulness AppamŒda, literally, means non-infatuation i.e., ever-present mindfulness, watchfulness or earnestness in doing good. The ethical essence of Buddhism may be summed up by this word- appamŒda .  The last words of the Buddha were- appamŒdena sampŒdetha -  strive on with diligence.

Most amazing and practical dharma talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GATd4JUX6G4

The Heart of the Pine, the Joints of Bamboo Liu I-ming (1737-1826) The heart of the pine is solid, the joints of bamboo are hard; therefore they do not wither in the cold of winter, but continue to flourish even through snow and frost. What I realize as I observe this is the Tao of establishing life through cultivation and discipline. If people can avoid what is shameful, be sincere, and impartial, then their hearts will be solid. When the heart is solid, one cannot be corrupted by wealth or status, one cannot be moved by poverty or lowliness, one cannot be suppressed by authority or force. Dealing with events fearlessly, undisturbed by difficulty, the fortunes or misfortunes one may encounter are up to others, while the creation of life is up to oneself. If people can cultivate themselves and control their affairs, resting in the proper place, standing firm and unmoving, then they will be regulated and strong. Being regulated and strong, they do not act in any way that is...

A famous Chines poem says: I went and I returned.  It was nothing special.  Rozan famous for its misty mountains;  Sekko for its water. a reply:  I went and marveled at the misty mountains; I delighted in Sekko's purifying waters I returned and never went back, but now I have learned that it was nothing special, and so I may never leave 316 bowed and said, now i can practice beginner's mind