Meditating under the Mango Tree

0:02 It's kind of a little bit sad, is it? This is the last talk, Friday night talk, before we start the rains retreat. But this is one of our traditions throughout the world. We have to make sure that it's good that we work, we set up monasteries, Nunneries, retreat centers all over the world. It's wonderful we're doing that. It's also wonderful that we take the time off sometimes. Report an error in the passage at 0:02 Highlight the passage at 0:02

0:41 So we do absolutely nothing. You know for many people it's one of the hardest things to do. Nothing. So I encourage you to try that. Just sit down there, be in this moment and don't try to go anywhere or do anything. Just be in this moment and after a while, just being here, this moment gets more and more enjoyable. Report an error in the passage at 0:41 Highlight the passage at 0:41

1:13 It's kind of strange that you don't need to do anything, just to learn how to be and not interfere and just be this passive observer of life. I don't know if you've ever been in beautiful places of nature. Report an error in the passage at 1:13 Highlight the passage at 1:13

1:33 Beautiful places where you may be on a hill. I remember one such place once when I went to India and I always wanted to see the Himalaya mountains. But you know, I didn't do my research properly. I went to northern India during the rainy season. There were clouds all over the horizon. So I could never see the Himalayas. Report an error in the passage at 1:33 Highlight the passage at 1:33

2:04 But I do remember, still a lay person, I was walking up with a couple of friends up this hillside just for exercise. When I got to the top of this hill, all of the clouds cleared on the horizon. And as they cleared, you can see this large stretch of the Himalaya mountains without any clouds. It was breathtaking. Report an error in the passage at 2:04 Highlight the passage at 2:04

2:37 But by that time, yeah, I was fit and healthy, but still very stupid. So you know what I did? I realized I'd left my camera in the car. So I ran down as fast as I could, ran back up again, so I could take a shot at this beautiful expanse of the Himalayan mountains. Report an error in the passage at 2:37 Highlight the passage at 2:37

3:01 And as soon as I got to the top of that hill, the clouds closed in again. It was like... What we say like Māra, this being in Buddhism, who always tries to interfere with our happiness and pleasure. But actually, it teaches us a lot of wisdom. I Report an error in the passage at 3:01 Highlight the passage at 3:01

3:29 was with two other lay people. Report an error in the passage at 3:29 Highlight the passage at 3:29

3:34 When I got up to the top of that hill again, they asked me, where did you go? I said, I went to the car to get my camera. Sorry, two other lay people. Report an error in the passage at 3:34 Highlight the passage at 3:34

3:43 He said, you missed this beautiful scenic view of the Himalaya mountains without any clouds. I wouldn't see them again on that trip. I always thought that beauty, things which are really inspiring, you should never try to capture. Report an error in the passage at 3:43 Highlight the passage at 3:43

4:04 That's what I was trying to do. To capture them on a camera. There's many, many books I can see where photographers, much better than I, Could actually capture those pictures for me. But I wanted to do it myself. I realized how silly I was. Report an error in the passage at 4:04 Highlight the passage at 4:04

4:25 And I learned from that. Whatever you experience, either with your eyes or even more importantly, whatever you experience in meditation, please don't try to capture it. Just let it be. Let it grow. Let it teach you how beautiful it can be. And you enjoy the experience so much more when you don't try to capture it. Report an error in the passage at 4:25 Highlight the passage at 4:25

4:54 All these little experiences which you had because one of the reasons I was in northern India at that time was because of the spiritual resonance which being in Himalaya mountains meant for me. But it's also I tried to See how to understand wisdom and kindness. And so because of that, you learned how to meditate much more peacefully. Report an error in the passage at 4:54 Highlight the passage at 4:54

5:30 Sometimes in your meditation, people often write emails to me, say they had this experience, that experience. So what does it mean? And I know that many times... I do emphasize the importance of things like jhānas. They are available for everyone. And people do experience them. But because I tell how important they are and how wonderful they are, many people, they want to experience them. Report an error in the passage at 5:30 Highlight the passage at 5:30

6:04 And that is the hindrance. That stops you enjoying your meditation. When you want to experience this state or that state, And I found, as many of you have found, that when you want to experience something, you always mess it up. Report an error in the passage at 6:04 Highlight the passage at 6:04

6:25 In meditation, you have to really relax. That's one of the reasons why one of my little sayings, which is actually very, very powerful, is to relax to the max. Not wanting. Have you ever noticed when you want something, Or you want to get rid of something, it creates tension in your body and tension in the mind. But when you let it be, you let it go, then you find you can relax. Report an error in the passage at 6:25 Highlight the passage at 6:25

7:01 It sometimes surprises you. Some of the experiences which you feel, you think, I should be suffering because of this. But then, when you're mindful of them and kind to them, you actually find you're not suffering at all, but you're enjoying this moment. Report an error in the passage at 7:01 Highlight the passage at 7:01

7:26 And that gives me a lovely couple of seconds to relax to the max as I clean my noses, both of them on either side. I don't know why you've got some... I thought it was hay fever at first, but I was exerting myself when I was over in the UK. Always available to answer people's questions and to assist them in whichever way they can. But when we do that, we get some marvellous results. Report an error in the passage at 7:26 Highlight the passage at 7:26

7:57 And I don't know if you, some of you I've told this story to, but I really want to say it again here, simply because this will be the last talk I give here for a while. And that is, for a long time now, I've been trying to use my influence in places like Sri Lanka. I'm very well known over there. My books have been translated into many, many languages, even the latest language. Report an error in the passage at 7:57 Highlight the passage at 7:57

8:27 There was an invitation recently, sent by email, to actually, can you please give some Buddhist talks, maybe teach meditation. in Russian Republic of this conference which was supported by this gentleman called V. V. Putin. He was saying some very nice things about Buddhism. Kind of surprised me. But nevertheless, unfortunately, that's during the rains retreat. I do say no sometimes. Report an error in the passage at 8:27 Highlight the passage at 8:27

9:30 I say yes more often. Because you do really want to serve and help. And so you want to try and get these teachings, which are amazing, and to be able to help people in the world. But it's a lot for one monk. So that's one of the reasons why I've been trying for years to establish monasteries for female monks, an equal standing to the monks' monasteries. Report an error in the passage at 9:30 Highlight the passage at 9:30

10:03 So they can serve too. There's something which I have noticed. There are some things which bhikkhunis, female monastics can say, which I can't. Each one of us has our own little areas of expertise. And so it's nice we have a large faculty of teachers. Have you ever noticed in universities, do they have just one lecturer? Report an error in the passage at 10:03 Highlight the passage at 10:03

10:33 But they have a whole group of lecturers and some are strong in one area and others are strong in another area, as it should be. And this is really important for our life. You know, sometimes people ask me when I was in UK last week, why are you a monk? Report an error in the passage at 10:33 Highlight the passage at 10:33

10:55 And if you heard what people say about me, you know, praise. They say, thank you for saving my life. Thank you. I looked at your teachings online. And if it wasn't for you, I just would not be here. And that kind of praise, that's where I get my job satisfaction. Report an error in the passage at 10:55 Highlight the passage at 10:55

11:22 It actually works. And as well as giving to others, you also get the job satisfaction of being able to cross your legs and get into beautiful, peaceful states of meditation. Report an error in the passage at 11:22 Highlight the passage at 11:22

11:36 It works both ways for benefiting my own life and allowing me to benefit others. That's why I love doing this. This year, this will be my 50th year as a bhikkhu, completed 50 years. And my age, my age next month, I'll be in years at 74, but I don't like... I'm not telling my age in years. Instead, I tell my age in months. I kind of feel it's more impressive. Report an error in the passage at 11:36 Highlight the passage at 11:36

12:18 And I'm not lying. I don't know why people always want to feel they are young. I really like to feel you're old, you're wise. You've got lots and lots and lots of experience in life. So because of that, I always tell my age in months. And so, next month, in August, my age will be 888. Report an error in the passage at 12:18 Highlight the passage at 12:18

12:53 That's a pretty lucky number. That's auspicious. That's a great number. And I think I mentioned that to you before. In places like Singapore or places, you know, who have a strong Chinese culture, they all know that 888 is one of the luckiest numbers. If you try and get a car rego number, 888, wow, that will cost a fortune. Report an error in the passage at 12:53 Highlight the passage at 12:53

13:24 If you can live on number 888 on some road, wow, that'd be worth a lot of money. So, this year, I'm 888. Easy for me to remember. I kind of like messing around like that. Because when you are a monk and you don't hold on to anything, you can let everything go and you can have some fun with things like numbers. Report an error in the passage at 13:24 Highlight the passage at 13:24

13:51 Have fun looking at life in a different way. Why do we always have to look at life in the same way that other people do? If we do that, we dismiss some of the joy and the wisdom which life is presenting to us. Again, I always remember this. That monk who taught me that when he went to jail, he was quite innocent, but he was set up. Report an error in the passage at 13:51 Highlight the passage at 13:51

14:17 He went to jail for two years and he said it was the best years of his life. Imagine that. A monk goes to jail. He doesn't have to do any work. He can meditate all day. He still gets enough food. He doesn't have to answer any difficult questions. He can just sit there all day being nice and peaceful. And if ever he wants to go out, it's pretty simple for holy monks to be able to pass through walls. Report an error in the passage at 14:17 Highlight the passage at 14:17

14:53 Remember, I think I've told you this, that this is one of the stories. of the venerable Ananda in the time of the Buddha that they had this big meeting after the Buddha's passing away and Report an error in the passage at 14:53 Highlight the passage at 14:53

15:11 they invited 500 Arahants actually 499 and they had to invite the venerable Ananda who wasn't an Arahant yet because he had been with the Buddha for such a long time he knew so many of the Buddha's teachings He knew so much about how the Buddha practiced and what he encouraged. They had to invite him, even though he was the one monk who hadn't been fully enlightened yet. Report an error in the passage at 15:11 Highlight the passage at 15:11

15:41 So what did Venerable Ananda do? He stayed up all night, all night, no sleep, just meditating, meditating and meditating and meditating and meditating and meditating and meditating. Report an error in the passage at 15:41 Highlight the passage at 15:41

16:00 Where did he get? Nowhere. You know why? He was trying. He was aiming for something. So eventually, he just gave up. He said, I've got another 45 minutes or an hour or something, and then the meeting will start. If I haven't got enlightened yet, I'm not going to get enlightened, he thought. So Venerable Ananda, he went to his room. Report an error in the passage at 16:00 Highlight the passage at 16:00

16:29 He laid down on the bed. Actually, just before he laid down on the bed, he shut his eyes and as he was laying down on the bed, he became the 500th enlightened one. Report an error in the passage at 16:29 Highlight the passage at 16:29

16:45 I love that story. It's not a sort of, it's quite an easy story to understand when you're trying. You're actually chasing wisdom, peace, enlightenment away. When you let go and relax to the max, just leave it alone. Your mind soon becomes very still and you can see Dhamma. He'd already had enough experience. He just needed to see the Dhamma and then he became another enlightened being. Report an error in the passage at 16:45 Highlight the passage at 16:45

17:18 Now, one of the problems was for him, how can he convince all the other monks who'd already arrived in that hall, how could he convince them that he now too was an enlightened being? Report an error in the passage at 17:18 Highlight the passage at 17:18

17:35 So instead of arguing, he on purpose arrived late. They'd already closed the door of the hall and 499 fully enlightened Arahants were inside waiting to start the meeting. And then they saw, all those other enlightened beings, they saw this big powerful light come in through the keyhole. Report an error in the passage at 17:35 Highlight the passage at 17:35

18:04 And it came in through the keyhole And then materialized as Ananda. We call it making an entrance. And he needed to do that to convince everybody that he too now was a perfectly enlightened being. I kind of always loved that little story. He was trying, trying, trying and then kind of gave up. Because he gave up, he could relax. Report an error in the passage at 18:04 Highlight the passage at 18:04

18:34 Let it be. I still remember Ajahn Chah teaching me that so many times. He said the way I was kind of couldn't really understand at first. I thought to become enlightened you need a lot of effort. You've got to try. It's this huge thing. How on earth can you become fully enlightened without putting any effort into it? Report an error in the passage at 18:34 Highlight the passage at 18:34

19:03 And as soon you understood why. Ajahn Chah was really good the way he made up similes, which really made sense to me. One of his similes was when he said, Wat Ba Pong, this is the monastery where he lived, Wat Ba Pong was a mango orchard. Report an error in the passage at 19:03 Highlight the passage at 19:03

19:25 I remember hearing this simile the first year when I became a monk and stayed with him. I didn't see any mango trees in Wat Pa Pong in those days. I said, what is wrong? There's no mango trees in Ajahn Chah's monastery. And he said, this is a metaphor. There are so many mango trees in Ajahn Chah's monastery and they've all been planted by the Buddha himself. Report an error in the passage at 19:25 Highlight the passage at 19:25

20:00 This is getting weird. Because the Buddha actually never visited Thailand. And would the Buddha actually go to this forest in the northeast of Thailand and not other places? So anyway, he carried on. It was planted by the Buddha. And now all of those mango trees which the Buddha planted are now full of ripe, sweet mangoes. Report an error in the passage at 20:00 Highlight the passage at 20:00

20:31 And I got interested because I don't know about you, but I love the mangoes in the northeast Thailand. They were really tasty. And there was something which you could eat when the only alternative was to eat things like frogs. Report an error in the passage at 20:31 Highlight the passage at 20:31

20:49 Honestly, that was often part of the meal for the day. One meal of the day, frogs and sticky rice. On the mango season, you had these beautiful, delicious mangoes. So anyway, when I heard... There are mangoes in Wat Pa Pong planted by the Buddha according to Ajahn Chah's statement. I thought I'd like to try some of those. And then they were delicious. Report an error in the passage at 20:49 Highlight the passage at 20:49

21:20 But then I realized what Ajahn Chah actually was saying. What he was saying was the mangoes, they represent the wisdom of the Buddha. What we call the dharma, understanding. Seeing things which very few other people can see. The nature of the body, the nature of the mind, the nature of relationships, the nature of kindness, the nature of not really allowing yourself to be upset by others. Report an error in the passage at 21:20 Highlight the passage at 21:20

21:54 And I think one of those stories about not being upset, I told a couple of times over in UK, and I'm going to share it with you now. It's the old story of the A U.S. soldier in the northeast Thailand. They still had an air force base towards the end of the Vietnam War. And one of the soldiers, this big guy, he was in the rickshaw traveling from the base outside of Ubon. Report an error in the passage at 21:54 Highlight the passage at 21:54

22:32 It's now the site of Ubon Airport within Thailand. That time was a US air force base. And so he was traveling from the base into town. And as he was traveling from the base into town, the driver passed by this roadside stall where all the driver's friends were having a rest and drinking whiskey, Mekong whiskey. Report an error in the passage at 22:32 Highlight the passage at 22:32

23:02 And because they'd already been drinking a lot, they were getting a little bit... Drunk and they were losing their sense of what's appropriate. So the friends started shouting out to this driver, where are you taking that filthy dog of a soldier? That's fighting language. And the driver of the rickshaw just was looking at the scenery, just enjoying the beautiful views. Report an error in the passage at 23:02 Highlight the passage at 23:02

23:35 That's not what the soldier was doing, just looking at the scenery. So the driver thought, oh, this soldier can't understand Thai. So the driver said, look how filthy this soldier is. I'm going to take him into the river in the center of town. It was called the Moon River. I'm going to take him into the river, throw him in and give him a good wash. Report an error in the passage at 23:35 Highlight the passage at 23:35

24:02 Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. That was racist. And that was just basically... Almost a signal for trouble. But the soldier he was just looking at the scenery smiling. He obviously what they thought could not understand the Thai language. Report an error in the passage at 24:02 Highlight the passage at 24:02

24:22 So there was no problem yet. But when they got into town that's when the soldier got out of the rickshaw and walked away without paying. Report an error in the passage at 24:22 Highlight the passage at 24:22

24:35 And that's where The owner of the rickshaw said in the best English he could, Sir, fair, you owe me money. And at those words, the American soldier turned around and said in perfect Thai language, so fluent, Dogs don't have money. Report an error in the passage at 24:35 Highlight the passage at 24:35

25:02 Please remember that. If people abuse you, if people just criticize you, It's wonderful when you can turn it around and they get embarrassed by what they've said. So embarrassed that they learn something. I was taught that little example by Ajahn Chah. You know, he taught me if people sort of abuse you for anything, just, you know, monks don't have money or whatever, you can always turn it around when you don't get angry. Report an error in the passage at 25:02 Highlight the passage at 25:02

25:33 And that's one occasion when you can do that. Another occasion, some of the stories I remember, just becoming a monk and staying in northeast Thailand. Sometimes the local council had a big trouble with the taxi drivers and the rickshaw drivers because they didn't have public toilets. So they would urinate at the same spots in the city, kind of on the edge of the city. Report an error in the passage at 25:33 Highlight the passage at 25:33

26:09 They'd always urinate in the same place. And so that became really, really smelly. And so the officers of the local council, they put up signs saying, bad, you're not supposed to urinate here. But did that stop the rickshaw drivers? No. So it's still as smelly as before. And then one of the councillors, they came up with this idea. Report an error in the passage at 26:09 Highlight the passage at 26:09

26:37 They did not. Put a sign up saying, you know, you're not allowed to urinate here. Instead they put up the sign, this is the place for dogs to urinate. Report an error in the passage at 26:37 Highlight the passage at 26:37

26:53 No one urinated there again. That's called like emotional intelligence. That's actually how you can advise people, almost like control people without any problem at all. And all of the people who would usually urinate in those places, they praised the counsellors because they thought it was funny too. They praised the wisdom. Report an error in the passage at 26:53 Highlight the passage at 26:53

27:22 I like it when we have those little stories of people who show this amazing wisdom which actually stops so many problems in the world. Report an error in the passage at 27:22 Highlight the passage at 27:22

27:36 And this particular wisdom, the next one, was where This gentleman, he was one of the king's officers, a minister. And a minister would always talk a lot, just like me. Report an error in the passage at 27:36 Highlight the passage at 27:36

27:59 Is that true? Report an error in the passage at 27:59 Highlight the passage at 27:59

28:04 And he really embarrassed all the other ministers in the government. He was always talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, and giving advice. So one day they were so embarrassed by him, because much of what he said was always right. So they met in silence and said, how can we embarrass this minister who knows it all? So they came up with this plan. Report an error in the passage at 28:04 Highlight the passage at 28:04

28:28 They would start praising this minister in front of the king. People like to be praised in front of their main employer. They said, this is such a smart minister. The king is so lucky to have a minister like this in his government. He knows everything. He's so smart. He probably even knows what we're thinking. And that was a trap. And so the minister said, yes, I know what you're thinking. Report an error in the passage at 28:28 Highlight the passage at 28:28

28:58 Because they'd agreed. All planned. They'll tell us what we're thinking. Whatever he said, even if he got it right. How can you prove That you know what someone else is thinking. If they say they were thinking it's a beautiful day today, how can you prove that? They say, no, that's not what I'm thinking. Report an error in the passage at 28:58 Highlight the passage at 28:58

29:21 They had him in a trap. Can you please tell the king what we are all thinking? And this minister didn't even hesitate. He looked at his majesty the king and he looked at all the ministers. He said, each and every one of you are all thinking Report an error in the passage at 29:21 Highlight the passage at 29:21

29:43 Kind, reverential thoughts to His Majesty the King. Report an error in the passage at 29:43 Highlight the passage at 29:43

29:52 It's amazing. They all said, wow, amazing, yes, that's true. Report an error in the passage at 29:52 Highlight the passage at 29:52

29:58 If you said no, you'd be put in jail. So there were things like that, where people had wisdom. And some of that wisdom showed that their mind was actually thinking outside of the box. Report an error in the passage at 29:58 Highlight the passage at 29:58

30:14 They could actually see deeply into things. That's called the wisdom. But that's not enough to become a stream winner or an arahant. It's not just having the wisdom, it's also being able to use that wisdom. That's why we say that we have to see things, experience them for ourselves. That's why when you say that Wat Pa Pong was a mango orchard planted by the Buddha, there's so many... Report an error in the passage at 30:14 Highlight the passage at 30:14

30:48 Bits of wisdom dripping from the trees. Available for everybody. Why is it that not everybody who stays there experiences enlightenment? Report an error in the passage at 30:48 Highlight the passage at 30:48

31:00 It's not just knowing. It's also like experiencing. And this is actually where that if you sit under those mango trees in Wat Ba Pong, this is how he said it. And at first I never understood it at all. Just a new monk. But I always respected Ajahn Chah. If he said something like this, it was obviously really meaningful. So he said, all you monks and nuns, the lay people these days, all you need to do to get a mango is sit perfectly still under the mango tree. Report an error in the passage at 31:00 Highlight the passage at 31:00

31:43 Perfectly still and open up your hand and a mango will fall right into it. Sit perfectly still. And a mango will fall right into it. I thought, that's ludicrous. Honestly, I lost a bit of faith in Ajahn Chah at the time. If you want to get enlightened, you have to at least throw a stick up to get a mango. He said, no, no, no, no. Just sit perfectly still. Report an error in the passage at 31:43 Highlight the passage at 31:43

32:13 Try that the next time you go to a mango orchard. Find a nice mango tree, sit underneath it, open up your hand, and a mango will fall properly on your head and hurt. Report an error in the passage at 32:13 Highlight the passage at 32:13

32:25 So he said, no, no, no, this is how it works. He said, perfectly still, because of the great compassion of the Buddha, man goes to his fall. Report an error in the passage at 32:25 Highlight the passage at 32:25

32:37 And it was so weird, a simile. That's why I kind of always remembered it. And I've obviously read so many other books of Ajahn Chah. Report an error in the passage at 32:37 Highlight the passage at 32:37

32:48 And then I could never find that story, even though I know I heard that. So I wrote that out in one of my books. I forget which one it was. But I wanted to share that with others. To sit perfectly still, open up your hand, which is a simile for kindness, compassion, and then the mangoes will fall, more than you can ever imagine. Report an error in the passage at 32:48 Highlight the passage at 32:48

33:17 That's how wisdom comes up. And that's how stages of enlightenment happen. You don't expect them. If you go shaking the tree, If you go getting a ladder to climb up the tree, if you try and saw the tree down, that's a terrible thing to do. You think you can get a mango? No way. Just that one way. So perfectly still, open up your hand and mangoes will fall. Report an error in the passage at 33:17 Highlight the passage at 33:17

33:48 And that's beautiful to experience that. So many of you have actually told me that's what you've done. Well done. You've understood. Please tell others. Report an error in the passage at 33:48 Highlight the passage at 33:48

34:00 You don't go chasing for enlightenment. You relax to the max. Make yourself really still. Be at peace. And then your awareness starts to grow. You can see more. Feel more. You can understand more. I love those similes. Because part of my upbringing, you know, in universities, in laboratories in universities, Report an error in the passage at 34:00 Highlight the passage at 34:00

34:32 Trying to not just work out math equations, but actually to experiment. How do these things actually work? Let's go and find them. Test them. See if they do work. And that particular simile for meditation was absolutely brilliant. That's why I was also teaching earlier today that part of my interest in life was not just meditation and dharma. Report an error in the passage at 34:32 Highlight the passage at 34:32

35:02 But also like ghosts. Hopefully I'm kind of interesting you. Ghosts are never, never dangerous. Never. They're always fascinating phenomena in our world. Why? How do they work? They do work. They are there. I don't know if they're here this evening. I remember this one Thai couple. I'm not going to open my eyes. But I remember that when they moved into a house, their first house, they always would have their doorbell ringing at odd times. Report an error in the passage at 35:02 Highlight the passage at 35:02

35:50 And they would go to open the door. When they opened the door, there was no one there. They thought it may be children had been like playing games and just ringing the doorbell and running away. Report an error in the passage at 35:50 Highlight the passage at 35:50

36:04 But then a few times they were right next to the front door and when the doorbell rang they could open it so quickly and they realized that no person could ring the doorbell so quickly and disappear so quickly. It wasn't a human being. It was a ghost ringing the doorbell. But they were very smart. I really admire them. They thought, how can we solve that problem? Report an error in the passage at 36:04 Highlight the passage at 36:04

36:35 And they came up with a solution. Let's take the batteries out of the doorbell. So it has no power. It's a simple thing to do. They just remove the batteries from the doorbell. Still, ding ding, ding ding. We discovered an important quality of ghosts. They carry their own power supply. Report an error in the passage at 36:35 Highlight the passage at 36:35

37:04 It's an interesting thing to know that. So if ever there's a power cut somewhere and you've got a friendly ghost, they can help out. But then, they also, in their house, they had a TV and sometimes they'd be watching a movie or a sports match on the TV and the channel would just change automatically. Report an error in the passage at 37:04 Highlight the passage at 37:04

37:33 No one pressed any button and stay on a different channel. And because of their experience so far with doorbells, they realized soon, that was the ghost was still there. And the ghost, they also like watching TV. Report an error in the passage at 37:33 Highlight the passage at 37:33

37:53 They have their favorite programs. And if you turn it to your favorite programs, what will happen? They can just turn it back again to their program. And you don't even see it. So they came up with another very good solution. I like it when people have these solutions. They're thinking outside of the box, the TV box. What they did was they bought a second TV. Report an error in the passage at 37:53 Highlight the passage at 37:53

38:27 One TV is for the ghost and the other TV is for them. And that means they can watch any TV show they want and the ghost is busy watching its TV show and everybody's in peace and harmony. I thought that's a brilliant solution. Report an error in the passage at 38:27 Highlight the passage at 38:27

38:46 So these are kind of solutions which, when we can open our minds and accept such things, then maybe we can have a much more peaceful life. Report an error in the passage at 38:46 Highlight the passage at 38:46

38:59 And again, I was trained as a physicist, so I don't accept these things without having all the information. So this is what happens. Once we have that wisdom, we have like... The basis for understanding what life is. The next thing which we really need is the peace of mind. To sit under the mango tree really peaceful. Open your hands and see what falls in. And that is a fascinating part of the Buddhism. Report an error in the passage at 38:59 Highlight the passage at 38:59

39:40 We always focus on the meditation. And that's one of the reasons why I stayed as a Buddhist. That's one of the reasons why you teach meditation retreats and you collect all of the experiences which other people have on meditation. It's hard to say the right words but it's very close to like blowing your mind. You see things you didn't think were possible before and in deep meditation and also with a lot of joy and happiness. Report an error in the passage at 39:40 Highlight the passage at 39:40

40:15 That's the thing which obviously I like. People think, what fun does a monk have? Please excuse me, this is not true. But this is, I'm just remembering my father. My father had a terrible sense of humor. I think I got my terrible sense of humor from him. And I can say this because there's no sister sitting next to me. What fun does a monk have? Answer, none. And Report an error in the passage at 40:15 Highlight the passage at 40:15

40:51 that's definitely not true. It's derogatory, I can get put in prison for that maybe. But nevertheless, that's what my father used to say. And instead of saying, no fun, you get these beautiful meditations which are so joyful. Report an error in the passage at 40:51 Highlight the passage at 40:51

41:09 And that's one of the reasons why this is my 50th year as a monk. I've been a bhikkhu 50 years now and I'm still going strong. I don't know what the world record is. Should I go for that and find out what's the world record being a monk and see if I can gain that world record? Report an error in the passage at 41:09 Highlight the passage at 41:09

41:36 But no, we're not into beating records. What we're into is why? Why have I spent my life just being a bhikkhu, meditating and teaching you lot, answering the same questions week after week after week? Report an error in the passage at 41:36 Highlight the passage at 41:36

41:57 Honestly, I don't mind. record Report an error in the passage at 41:57 Highlight the passage at 41:57

42:00 Because I have a lot of fun with you. I enjoy my life as a monk. And I enjoy my life as a monk because so often you start to meditate and you get this, it's weird, I get this energy. Report an error in the passage at 42:00 Highlight the passage at 42:00

42:15 I always tell people you can understand if I've just had a good meditation. The talk is like more joyful, more bad jokes. I don't mind because, you know, you're sort of uplifted by your meditation. It's a source of happiness, real happiness. I wish I could actually share that happiness with you. Sometimes when you go on retreats you can feel that happiness. Report an error in the passage at 42:15 Highlight the passage at 42:15

42:42 You just don't get sad or sick or whatever. And you're walking through the forest or walking along the paths and you see things like tarantulas or spiders or snakes. You don't feel afraid. I still remember my preceptor, who I always thought was just a study monk. He was very clever. That was Somdet Bhuttachan, Somdet Gir, a Watsaket in Thailand. And I remember, you know, I had an appointment with him. Report an error in the passage at 42:42 Highlight the passage at 42:42

43:22 And as I was waiting, I was just meditating, as you usually do as a forest monk. And that brought back wonderful memories for him. He said, yes, when he was young, he learned how to meditate. And he told me one of the stories which he'd experienced. He said his teacher told him to meditate in the coconut grove. And as he was meditating in the coconut grove, he got extraordinarily peaceful. Report an error in the passage at 43:22 Highlight the passage at 43:22

43:50 It was very enjoyable. But as he was getting peaceful, he felt like there was something in his lap. And he opened his eyes. And it was one of the most venomous snakes in that part of Thailand. And the amazing thing was, he told me, that his parents, his teachers, they always told him, please be careful of that snake. Report an error in the passage at 43:50 Highlight the passage at 43:50

44:16 They're very, very dangerous. But when he saw this snake right in his lap, that snake could kill him so easily. Did he feel afraid? He said it was the weirdest thing. He didn't feel any fear at all. He was just totally at peace, just looking at that snake curled up. So he closed his eyes and meditated for another five or ten minutes. Report an error in the passage at 44:16 Highlight the passage at 44:16

44:44 After five or ten minutes, the snake sort of uncoiled and slowly slid away. I know stories like that, personal stories. The snakes would never harm you. I love those stories where monks and westerners Or anybody, they meet these dangerous animals in places like Thailand, and they never harm you. Sometimes I wonder why. Report an error in the passage at 44:44 Highlight the passage at 44:44

45:14 If you're very peaceful and kind, they just, sometimes they slide by you. And this one experience I had, over in Babodhinyana, Adonis Serpentine, I was just washing my bowl, I was on retreat. So my mind was very peaceful, washing my bowl after lunch. And I saw there was a commotion in the forest. Many of the kangaroos were running away. Report an error in the passage at 45:14 Highlight the passage at 45:14

45:45 I didn't know why. But when I looked, there was a huge doogite. Doogite is one of the venomous snakes here in Western Australia. And eventually I found out how big it was. And it was three... Report an error in the passage at 45:45 Highlight the passage at 45:45

46:04 Yes, that's interesting enough. 3.12 meters long. Three meters is a big size for a Duggite. And I knew that because after it just come up to say hello, it did that, it came right up to me, looked at me, and I just carried on washing my bowl. When I lifted my head again, that it actually turned around. His tail was pointing towards me and his head. Report an error in the passage at 46:04 Highlight the passage at 46:04

46:35 It was pointing away from me. And it was shading under the wall of the hut. And I built that hut. I know how big it was. It was 3.12 meters long. It was a very hot day. That poor snake, he just wanted a bit of coolness. How can you deny someone a bit of shade on a very, very hot day? So I said, please enjoy. Report an error in the passage at 46:35 Highlight the passage at 46:35

47:05 And that's what it's made to stay there for a while. And then I went inside and did some meditation. When I came out later on, it had departed. But these are animals which some people are very afraid of. Please, no need to be. But please don't be silly and go tickle the do-guy under the chin. That goes a bit too far. Just leave it alone. Don't play with it. But I do remember just... Report an error in the passage at 47:05 Highlight the passage at 47:05

47:36 Every time that happened in Jhāna Grove. I don't know, have we seen that this year yet? The Duggite in Jhāna Grove? It actually hasn't been that good weather. It's been a bit cold and windy and wet. But there's a big Duggite over in Jhāna Grove, which people sometimes see. You know what happened? Once it came out to be, you know, just to warm up in the sunshine. Report an error in the passage at 47:36 Highlight the passage at 47:36

48:01 Everybody started pointing out and said, you know, the snake's over there, a big one. And he just wanted to warm himself up. He never attacked anybody or hurt anybody. Report an error in the passage at 48:01 Highlight the passage at 48:01

48:14 That's why you kind of know that over in a place like Bodhinyana Monastery or in Dhammasara Monastery, that you're safe. You give so much love and kindness to these animals. There's no way in the world will those animals ever harm you. Report an error in the passage at 48:14 Highlight the passage at 48:14

48:32 It's only if you play or something and rush around and try and kick it or something, then that's dangerous. But you just respect it and you're perfectly safe. So those are some of the things which you see, the dharma. How you can live in harmony with things which other people say are dangerous. But you can live in harmony with them and they'll never ever ever hurt or harm you. Report an error in the passage at 48:32 Highlight the passage at 48:32

49:01 Those are the sorts of things which really inspire me in today's world. I did mention at the beginning of the talk or just talking in the community reception area, there is an invitation I have a month or two's time to the Russian Federation to give a talk invited by Mr. V. V. Putin, Vladimir. Report an error in the passage at 49:01 Highlight the passage at 49:01

49:33 Should I go? I thought of actually asking you to go in my place. Report an error in the passage at 49:33 Highlight the passage at 49:33

49:44 He hasn't invited me yet. He's a bit busy at the moment. And a lot of times, if you don't ask for anything, you just want to give, give some understanding, give some peace, give some kindness, they will never harm you. Report an error in the passage at 49:44 Highlight the passage at 49:44

50:02 You're not part of that game anymore. You're just a monk. And you're just smiling, being kind. Teaching them how to relax to the max. And sometimes, hopefully, to teach them they don't need to be a politician who starts wars, but a politician who stops wars. You know, the kind politician. And I know quite a few politicians like that. I think many of you, I told you years ago, I used to get an invitation every time I went into Sri Lanka, Oh, with your president. Report an error in the passage at 50:02 Highlight the passage at 50:02

50:44 That was Rajapaksa. And I will always remember this. It's a person, I know that many people thought he was a bit of a tyrant. Report an error in the passage at 50:44 Highlight the passage at 50:44

50:54 But I don't know when I met him. The first time I met him, it was in the, what they call the palace where he lived. He was a president. He just got up. He was rubbing his eyes. Have you ever actually seen someone who just got out of bed? They're just really sort of not very clear. And so when he was rubbing his eyes, the first thing he told me, and I will never forget this, he said, I am a failure. Report an error in the passage at 50:54 Highlight the passage at 50:54

51:26 I don't mind quoting that because that's what he said. That kind of shocked me. He was the president, very powerful in Sri Lanka, and he announced himself as a failure. Report an error in the passage at 51:26 Highlight the passage at 51:26

51:39 And he said that he joined politics. I am a failure. Report an error in the passage at 51:39 Highlight the passage at 51:39

51:42 to try and find a peaceful solution to the war with the Tamil Tigers over in Sri Lanka. And he failed. And the way he said that, there's no other reason to say it except of honesty. It hurts. So please don't try and be a politician who wants to solve problems. You become part of the problem. That's not really helpful. You know one of the other politicians I saw recently, you may be interested in this, this was in India. I get around and I got this email saying there was somebody in India wanted to have a private Zoom conference with me. Report an error in the passage at 51:42 Highlight the passage at 51:42

52:35 Who do you think that was? That was Rahul Gandhi. And I don't mind sharing you this story simply because... The reason why he wanted to have a private conference, he had a cousin over in the United States who was there to get treatment for cancer. Report an error in the passage at 52:35 Highlight the passage at 52:35

52:59 And she had really good treatment over there, probably very expensive. But she said when she went through the chemotherapy, it was very, very painful. And nothing could actually alleviate that pain, except when she went online. And got one of these talks from this Australian monk called Ajahn Brahm. And that's why she was, she binge listened to many of the talks which I give here on a Wednesday night, sorry, on a Friday night. Report an error in the passage at 52:59 Highlight the passage at 52:59

53:34 And it worked for her. She said it was brilliant. She didn't understand why. And you know when somebody says that to me, it makes me feel that the power of these meditations, how wonderful they are. And then there was also, I think his sister Priyanka, she then started talking to me. They've listened to many, many talks online. Report an error in the passage at 53:34 Highlight the passage at 53:34

53:58 And basically, as a Buddhist, I don't mind who they are. If they're respectful, I don't care if they've done really terrible, terrible things. Because I've met many people in prisons who've done many, many terrible things. One of the first things I do, if I'm going to teach them anything, It's to respect them. So you can contact them. Contact them heart to heart. And then you can actually teach. Report an error in the passage at 53:58 Highlight the passage at 53:58

54:30 I remember some of these prisoners over in Perth. One in particular. He was one of the first prisoners I ever went to teach. He was down in Bambury. And this guy, I mean he really was big. And so when I started teaching, And he put his hand up and he said, can I ask a question? When someone that big, with so many scars on them, says they want to ask a question, what would you do? Report an error in the passage at 54:30 Highlight the passage at 54:30

55:04 Yes, sir, please ask. And he said, is it really true that through meditation you can fly over walls? He actually said that. Of course, I had to tell everyone afterwards. But I was being honest. It's possible, but it takes a lot of years of training. And next week, and I think next fortnight, I went down there once a fortnight, and only three people turned up for my talk. Report an error in the passage at 55:04 Highlight the passage at 55:04

55:38 We became a really good friend. I was really surprised. Later on, this was the prison over in Canning Vale, because they moved the prisons around. In Canning Vale, when you entered the prison, But they gave me this little pen. They said, this is not a real biro. This is a security alarm system. Report an error in the passage at 55:38 Highlight the passage at 55:38

56:07 If you get attacked, and many young, many men had been attacked, as well as females as well. Some of the people in jail, they're going to be there a long time. They'll do anything. They don't mind an extra sentence. They're going to be there such a long time. So he said, if you get attacked, Press the little button on the top of the pen. Point it at one of the, they look like fire alarms, the security alarms. Press it at one of those alarms. Report an error in the passage at 56:07 Highlight the passage at 56:07

56:38 The alarm will go off, we know exactly where you are, and we'll come and save you. So that's how dangerous it was, teaching in a prison with so many desperate prisoners. Report an error in the passage at 56:38 Highlight the passage at 56:38

56:52 But then they said also, don't let anybody know what this is. So as soon as I walked into my class, this big guy I just mentioned to you, he became a good friend, honestly. And he said, oh, you've got one of those security alarms as well, have you? They all knew exactly about it. And I said, yeah, but they won't work. You could probably jump and rape me before I could even think about pressing the button. Report an error in the passage at 56:52 Highlight the passage at 56:52

57:23 He said, yes, we're very fast. And I knew he meant it. But he said, The wonderful thing, which I will always remember, we like you in here. You know, you're our friend, you know, for what you've given us. We're always so grateful. If any of these other new guys are on the back, try anything. There's three or four of us here, we'll jump them. We are your security. Report an error in the passage at 57:23 Highlight the passage at 57:23

57:51 And I trusted that so much. The kindness, the goodness, the service, that was what made me feel so safe in those prisons. Even though there's some very, very dangerous people in there. Okay, okay. I've gone over again. So, thank you for listening. I hope you enjoyed what I've been saying so far. I'm sorry that I cannot give another talk next week. Report an error in the passage at 57:51 Highlight the passage at 57:51

58:19 We do have a range retreat. And it's not that I won't be giving any talks for the next month or two months. I have to teach all of the monks in the monastery and the nuns will come up and also we have a wonderful group of, not Sri Lankans, Indonesians and Hong Kongies have come on a retreat at Jhāna Grove. Report an error in the passage at 58:19 Highlight the passage at 58:19

58:45 It's my joy to be able to give them an opportunity to do some meditation. So, I'm still working hard. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do so. Sadhu, sadhu, sadhu. Report an error in the passage at 58:45 Highlight the passage at 58:45

59:02 Okay, now we usually have questions. Report an error in the passage at 59:02 Highlight the passage at 59:02

59:16 What's that story about when you have a cough? I'll always remember this. You don't have to be scared if you have a cough. It's not the cough that carries you off, it's the coughing they carry you off in. Report an error in the passage at 59:16 Highlight the passage at 59:16

59:33 Those stories I remember as a kid. So question number one. Dear Ajahn, how do we know that we have made some progress in this Buddhist path. Report an error in the passage at 59:33 Highlight the passage at 59:33

59:46 Don't think of progress, think of ingress. Don't think you're going further along the path, you're going deeper in. That's the way to get more wisdom and more peace. I feel like I am stuck in meditation. How should I constantly check on myself not making progress in the Buddhist path? Report an error in the passage at 59:46 Highlight the passage at 59:46

1:00:17 I know one way to check yourself is how is your precepts? Do you keep those five precepts? Never doing anything which hurts or harms another living being. Never doing anything which hurts or harms yourself. And your kindness. Report an error in the passage at 1:00:17 Highlight the passage at 1:00:17

1:00:36 That's what I like to see. Sometimes it inspires me. But sometimes what people do for one another, oh, they're just so gorgeous and beautiful. That inspires me. Report an error in the passage at 1:00:36 Highlight the passage at 1:00:36

1:00:48 And that's how you know you're making progress. The inspiration you're doing. And, you know, just to see all those things, which many of you... How's that fund for the Lance Monastery in Sri Lanka going now? I already mentioned to you it's now approved that bhikkhunis in Sri Lanka are legit. And I have to keep mentioning that because that really gets to me. For years we thought that's not going to happen. Report an error in the passage at 1:00:48 Highlight the passage at 1:00:48

1:01:20 It has now. So a few of you, I know there's one lady, she's just sitting in front of me. She gave away all her jewellery, sold it as a donation to the nuns monastery in Sri Lanka. Report an error in the passage at 1:01:20 Highlight the passage at 1:01:20

1:01:39 Sadhu, sadhu, sadhu. It's inspiring. You don't keep it for yourself. Who worries about jewellery? You see a smile on your face because you're generous. That's what happens. Anyway, how do we know we make enough good karma to protect ourselves in life? Oh, look, you always have. Look at me. How many reserves in the bank do I have? How many investment accounts do I have? Report an error in the passage at 1:01:39 Highlight the passage at 1:01:39

1:02:15 How much money do I have stashed away? I work very hard. How much is my superannuation account? Sorry? Report an error in the passage at 1:02:15 Highlight the passage at 1:02:15

1:02:29 How little? Nothing. I've got no insurance. I've got no stash of cash somewhere. I just let it go and have a happy life. That happiness is the most important part. It will keep me healthy. Okay, I've got a cough. What did I say before? It's not the cough that carries you off. Coughing that carries you off. So, I'm fine. Report an error in the passage at 1:02:29 Highlight the passage at 1:02:29

1:02:59 So anyway, the next one, question from America. Oh, my goodness. Is it? No, it's not from Donald Trump. Dear Ajahn, how can we counteract Donald Trump's hate regime? Report an error in the passage at 1:02:59 Highlight the passage at 1:02:59

1:03:13 How can we stay spiritually strong and compassionate in the face of this nightmare? What is the most effective time away dealing with him? Be kind to him. If it's Valentine's Day, that's February, isn't it? It's a long time for Valentine's Day. When's his birthday? 14th of June. Oh, I just missed it. June, the 14th. Oh, what a shame I have to wait again. Report an error in the passage at 1:03:13 Highlight the passage at 1:03:13

1:03:44 You know, be kind. When you're kind to people who other people hate, it's amazing how powerful that is. They never expect it. See, these Buddhists, I made the decisions. Many people just think they want to put me on a bonfire and burn me. But he said, no, no, no. You made a mistake, we think. We're not going to hurt you. Respect each other. That's such a powerful teaching. Report an error in the passage at 1:03:44 Highlight the passage at 1:03:44

1:04:17 There's no way in the world anybody can deny that, how powerful that is. And I still have that poem. It's in Opening the Door of Your Heart. Report an error in the passage at 1:04:17 Highlight the passage at 1:04:17

1:04:38 How you should always respect and love your mother. Remember that poem? How to respect and love your mother, even if she keeps asking. Report an error in the passage at 1:04:38 Highlight the passage at 1:04:38

1:04:50 She just keeps giving you a lot of trouble by asking this, this, asking for that. Please always give it to her. Because one day the day will come when she's not there anymore. And you can't give her anything anymore. So please, always look after your mum. Report an error in the passage at 1:04:50 Highlight the passage at 1:04:50

1:05:09 And you know that poem, who was it written by? That was written by Adolf Hitler. That's really wonderful. As soon as I saw that one, that was kind of amazing. Yeah, Adolf, is Report an error in the passage at 1:05:09 Highlight the passage at 1:05:09

1:05:35 that okay? I couldn't hear you. Report an error in the passage at 1:05:35 Highlight the passage at 1:05:35

1:05:43 Something's broken. Anyway, I'll just get to the next question first. So that's how to overcome a hate regime, by overcoming it with kindness. Report an error in the passage at 1:05:43 Highlight the passage at 1:05:43

1:05:57 From Poland. Does mettā meditation work for people who died and are in Bardo or rebirth again? Yes, it does. How can we help people who were dead and we really loved them? Yes, keep remembering them and keep sharing memories with them. Lastly, from Germany. Dear Ajahn, can you please explain the difference between empathy and compassion, karma and mettā? How to be compassionate without... Report an error in the passage at 1:05:57 Highlight the passage at 1:05:57

1:06:27 Getting attached or involved in it. Thank you kindly. It's, what do you actually get attached to if you're that compassionate to something? Report an error in the passage at 1:06:27 Highlight the passage at 1:06:27

1:06:39 You know it's a very good thing to do when you're kind to somebody. And it's a beautiful thing to do. I often say that many of the, say the kangaroos in Bodhinyana, because I've known them for 45 years, and they always, they remember you. And they will never harm you. It's almost that compassion that makes them your friends. And that empathy, that empathy sometimes, that's a much harder thing. Report an error in the passage at 1:06:39 Highlight the passage at 1:06:39

1:07:08 Because a lot of times we try to feel what they feel. Simple compassion for me is much easier. Report an error in the passage at 1:07:08 Highlight the passage at 1:07:08

1:07:18 Okay. Have you got compassion for me? Thank you. Because I'm still jet lagged, as you may have noticed. The last flight, which I... did from UK he left about 11 o 'clock and a seven hour time difference and got back to Perth in the late afternoon the next day about 21 22 hours Report an error in the passage at 1:07:18 Highlight the passage at 1:07:18

1:07:47 So I'm still sleepy. But I don't mind. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to teach. Okay, so we'll see you next time. Hopefully at Bodhinyana Monastery or Jnana Grove. I'll be there mostly for the next three months. You know what I'm doing over there? I should have let you know this. At the middle of the rains retreat, for one month, the monks, they gave me this little piece of paper ordering me. Report an error in the passage at 1:07:47 Highlight the passage at 1:07:47

1:08:26 They said, you can't refuse this. Usually I do a two-month, so I usually do a two-weeks retreat. This time they've ordered me to do a whole-month retreat. Report an error in the passage at 1:08:26 Highlight the passage at 1:08:26

1:08:38 Is that a good idea? Any advance on one month, six weeks? No, thank you for that. Long service, Lee. Thank you. Okay, so let's pay respects to the Buddha, Dhamma and Saṅgha. Report an error in the passage at 1:08:38 Highlight the passage at 1:08:38