1. Learn from it and let it go

    Comment

    Learn from it and let it go.
    The future is not even here yet. Plan for it, but do not waste your time worrying about it.
    Worrying is worthless.
    When you stop ruminating about what has already happened, when you stop worrying about what might never happen, then you will be in the present moment.
    Then you will begin to experience joy in life.

    ― Thich Nhat Hanh

  2. Our notions about happiness entrap us

    Comment

    Our notions about happiness entrap us. We forget that they are just ideas. Our idea of happiness can prevent us from actually being happy. We fail to see the opportunity for joy that is right in front of us when we are caught in a belief that happiness should take a particular form. ― Thich Nhat Hanh

  3. Usually when we hear or read something new

    Comment

    Usually when we hear or read something new, we just compare it to our own ideas. If it is the same, we accept it and say that it is correct. If it is not, we say it is incorrect. In either case, we learn nothing. ― Thich Nhat Hanh

  4. When you say something really unkind

    Comment

    When you say something really unkind, when you do something in retaliation your anger increases. You make the other person suffer, and he will try hard to say or to do something back to get relief from his suffering. That is how conflict escalates. ― Thich Nhat Hanh

  5. In separateness…

    Comment

    In separateness lies the world’s great misery, in compassion lies the world’s true strength. ~Buddha

  6. The Story of Bhikkhus Assaji and Punabbasuka

    Comment

    Verse 77: The man of wisdom should admonish others; he should give advice and should prevent others from doing wrong; such a man is held dear by the good; he is disliked only by the bad.

    1. anusaseyya: to give advice in advance; also to give advice repeatedly.

    The Story or Bhikkhus Assaji and Punabbasuka

    While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (77) of this book, with reference to bhikkhus Assaji and Punabbasuka.

    Bhikkhus Assaji and Punabbasuka and their five hundred disciples were staying at Kitagiri village. While staying there they made their living by planting flowering plants and fruit trees for gain, thus violating the rules of Fundamental Precepts for bhikkhus.

    The Buddha hearing about these bhikkhus sent his two Chief Disciples Sariputta and Maha Moggallana, to stop them from committing further misconduct. To his two Chief Disciples the Buddha said, “Tell those bhikkhus not to destroy the faith and generosity of the lay disciples by misconduct and if anyone should disobey, drive him out of the monastery. Do not hesitate to do as I told you, for only fools dislike being given good advice and being forbidden to do evil.”

    Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

    Verse 77: The man of wisdom should admonish others; he should give advice and should prevent others from doing wrong; such a man is held dear by the good; he is disliked only by the bad.

    Dhammapada Verse 77
    Assajipunabbasuka Vatthu

    Ovadeyya’nusaseyya1
    asabbha ca nivaraye
    satam hi so piyo hoti
    asatam hoti appiyo.

    Source: Tipitaka

  7. If you are filled with anger…

    Comment

    If you are filled with anger, you create more suffering for yourself than for the other person. When you are inhabited by the energy of anger, you want to punish, you want to destroy. That is why those who are wise do not want to say anything or do anything while the anger is still in them. So you try to bring peace into yourself first. When you are calm, when you are lucid, you will see that the other person is a victim of confusion, of hate, of violence transmitted by society, by parents, by friends, by the environment. When you are able to see that, your anger is no longer there. ~Thich Nhat Hanh

     

  8. The Story of Thera Radha

    Comment

    Photo credit: Randy Neufeldt

    Verse 76: One should follow a man of wisdom who rebukes one for one’s faults, as one would follow a guide to some buried treasure. To one who follows such a wise man, it will be an advantage and not a disadvantage.

    The Story of Thera Radha

    While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (76) of this book, with reference to Thera Radha, who was at one time a poor old Brahmin.

    Radha was a poor brahmin who stayed in the monastery doing small services for the bhikkhus. For his services he was provided with food and clothing and other needs, but was not encouraged to join the Order, although he had a strong desire to become a bhikkhu.

    One day, early in the morning, when the Buddha surveyed the world with his supernormal power, he saw the poor old brahmin in his vision and knew that he was due for arahatship. So the Buddha went to the old man, and learned from him that the bhikkhus of the monastery did not want him to join the Order. The Buddha therefore called all the bhikkhus to him and asked them, “Is there any bhikkhu here who recollects any good turn done to him by this old man?” To this question, the Venerable Sariputta replied, “Venerable Sir, I do recollect an instance when this old man offered me a spoonful of rice.” “If that be so,” the Buddha said, “shouldn’t you help your benefactor get liberated from the ills of life?” Then the Venerable Sariputta agreed to make the old man a bhikkhu and he was duly admitted to the Order. The Venerable Sariputta guided the old bhikkhu and the old bhikkhu strictly followed his guidance. Within a few days, the old bhikkhu attained arahatship.

    When the Buddha next came to see the bhikkhus, they reported to him how strictly the old bhikkhu followed the guidance of the Venerable Sariputta. To them, the Buddha replied that a bhikkhu should be amenable to guidance like Radha, and should not resent when rebuked for any fault or failing.

    Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

    Verse 76: One should follow a man of wisdom who rebukes one for one’s faults, as one would follow a guide to some buried treasure. To one who follows such a wise man, it will be an advantage and not a disadvantage.

    Dhammapada Verse 76
    Radhatthera Vatthu

    Nidhinamva pavattaram
    yam passe vajjadassinam
    niggayhavadim medhavim
    tadisam panditam bhaje
    tadisam bhajamanassa
    seyyo hoti na papiyo.

    Source: Tipitaka

  9. The highest state of meditation is Samadhi

    Comment

    The highest state of meditation is Samadhi, where there is no ego anymore, no doubts, no me, no you, no notion of time, no eating, no talking, no walking, no working and not doing anything at all, realizing that the Self is action-less. ~Dharma Mittra

     

  10. Just as you feel love for your mother of this life…

    Comment

    Photo credit: Randy Neufeldt

    Just as you think of your mother in this life, therefore,
    Contemplate the suffering and hardship
    Of all those poor beings who were your mothers before,
    And shed tears for them all, again and again.

    Just as you feel love for your mother of this life,
    Generate love for all beings, your mothers from the past,
    And arouse compassion and bodhichitta too —
    With this, you will enter the ranks of the Mahayana.

    Again and again, bring to mind all the kindness
    Of beings of the six classes, your own kind parents.
    If you care for them like your mother of this life,
    They will love you too, as their very own child.

    ~ Shabkar

Hermit of Tbeng Mountain

Sachjang Phnom Tbeng សច្ចំ​​ ភ្នំត្បែង is a very long and interesting story written by Mr. Chhea Sokoan, read by Jendhamuni Sos. You can click on the links below to listen. Part 1 | Part 2

List of Khmer songs