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A madman and an arahant both smile, but the arahant knows why while the madman doesn’t.

Ajahn Chah

We don’t meditate to see heaven, but to end suffering.
AJAHN CHAH

End Heaven Meditate Suffer
Even if the water is falling right on it, it only touches the outside and not the inside. In this way the bowl will never get full.
AJAHN CHAH

Bowl Falling Full Inside never Outside Right Touch Water Way
If it shouldn’t happen, it wouldn’t happen.
AJAHN CHAH

Happen
One man watches a river flow by. If he does not wish it to flow, to change ceaselessly in accord with its nature, he will suffer great pain.
AJAHN CHAH

Ceaseless Change Flow Great Man Nature Pain River Self Suffering Watch Wish
Do not try to become anything. Do not make yourself into anything. Do not be a meditator. Do not become enlightened.
AJAHN CHAH

Anything Become Buddhist Enlighten Trying
You are your own teacher. Looking for teachers can’t solve your own doubts.
AJAHN CHAH

Doubt Knowing Look Own Teach Teacher
Wisdom is in yourself, just like a sweet ripe mango is already in a young green one.
AJAHN CHAH

Already Green Mango One Ripe Sweet Wisdom Young Yourself
Better to begin practice without delay. I am like a good friend inviting you to go somewhere. Do not hesitate, just get going. You won’t regret it.
AJAHN CHAH

Better Delay Friend Going Good Hesitate Inviting Practice Regret Somewhere
The teachings say that wherever a problem arises it must be settled right there. Where suffering lies is right where non-suffering will arise, it ceases at the place where it arises.
AJAHN CHAH

Arise Cease Lie Problem Right Settle Suffer Teaching
Therefore we have to train our mind. The meditation practice in Buddhism is all about training one’s own mind.
AJAHN CHAH

Buddhism Meditation Mind Own Practice Train
If it isn’t good, let it die. If it doesn’t die, make it good.
AJAHN CHAH

Dharma Good Inspire Lie Mindfulness
When we gain some understanding we need to chew on it again so that we see it for ourselves with certainty: paccattam.
AJAHN CHAH

Certainty Chew Need Ourselves Some Understanding
If you are still following your likes and dislikes, you have not even begun to practise Dhamma.
AJAHN CHAH

Begun Dhamma Dislike Follow Like Still
You should settle the issue right there. One who runs away from suffering out of fear is the most foolish person of all. He will simply increases his stupidity endlessly.
AJAHN CHAH

Endlessly Foolish Increase Issue Most One Right Settle Stupid Suffer
Another man understands that nature of the river is to change constantly, regardless of his likes and dislikes, and therefore he does not suffer.
AJAHN CHAH

Another Chance Constant Dislike Man Nature Suffer Understand
To the birds, the fruit may be sweet or sour or whatever. The birds say sweet or they say sour, but from the tree’s point of view, this is just the chattering of birds.
AJAHN CHAH

Bird Chatter Fruit Point Sour Sweet Tree View Whatever

A madman and an arahant both smile, but the arahant knows why while the madman doesn’t.

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A madman and an arahant both smile, but the arahant knows why while the madman doesn’t.

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