If you have any questions, I’d be happy to answer. (For those of you who have a question, please write it down on the piece of paper that was given to you. Then give it to the Dharma guard who’s wearing a yellow vest. We will gather all the questions to ask Master. Then Master will answer us – right now.)
(The first question is: what is jhana? What do you use to measure it?) (What is Chan? Chan, it means a level of...) Ah, Chan – Zen. (Chan, yes. What do we use to measure it?) (What do we use to measure it? Measure...) Oh. (...the level of...) The level of Zen? (Right. Yes.)
OK. Once we reach a little higher level, we don’t bother to measure anymore. But if we have not reached the level of non-attachment, then we can measure it. There are steps and steps, by the way. And during initiation, we will tell you everything that you need to know about the road to Heaven, different stations. It takes some time.
If you’d like to have initiation, you can go out right now and put your name down with the people at the desk and don’t have to wait until after the questions and answers session, because it might take some time.
Next. (When would we be so lucky to be Your disciples? How do we attain Dharma? What should we do to not be reborn, get old, sick, die and avoid suffering? Master, please teach us how to meditate.)
(There are four questions. When would we be so lucky to be Your disciple? This is the first question.) Right now. (Master said that you can do it from now on.)
(The second question is: how can we attain the Dharma?) (How do we attain the Dharma?) Initiation and meditation.
(How can one avoid to not be reborn, get old, sick, die and avoid suffering?) (What do we do in order not to be reborn in the death and birth cycle again?) Didn’t I tell you? You were asleep, I think. Go outside, put your name down and I’ll tell you more later.
(The fourth question: Please tell us how to meditate.) I’ll tell you later. So, please enroll yourself at the desk outside with our helper attendants, and then later, I will come and tell you in detail. Because to teach you spiritual practice like meditation, it takes some time. We have to tell you everything from A to Z, so that you don’t make mistakes at home. Otherwise, enlightenment takes only seconds. (Master’s teaching and the meditation, both require a lot of time. Therefore, after we fill out the form, we apply.)
We also have “economy class.” That means saving – economy class. That means saving: You save the vegan diet, you save the meditation practice, you save your liberation, and you have nothing. So that’s very economical! Bangkok people don’t have [a sense of] humor. That’s why when I came here, I couldn’t laugh up till now. Normally I laugh all the way. So, let’s cheer up. After all, it’s the Land of Smiles, the Land of the Buddha.
Thailand means the Land of Peace, Land of Smiles. Bangkok is the City of Angels, right? (Yes.) I hope nobody is dead yet. We’re not yet angels! But I sympathize because life in Bangkok is probably very stressful with so many citizens packed in a tight space and the traffic problem, of course. We cannot forget that. I appreciate that some of you must have been fighting through the dense jungle of highways on Bangkok roads for many hours in order to reach this place today for our lecture. The Buddha blesses you. That’s why it’s good that I don’t often make lectures. Maybe once every two, three years. Right? Last time was three years ago? (No.) No? (Last year.) Last year? (Yes, last year.) Oh, it’s very quick this time.
I tell you the secret – because I like Thailand’s people. Otherwise, I have a long list of invitations at home – different countries, different places. And I have not said yes to anyone. At least about 30 countries make repeated requests. I don’t know why I’m crazy about Thailand – made four lectures in two weeks, even have to wear a Thai dress for lecture. I even have to wear a Thailand dress for the lecture. (You wear Thai suit?) Make me suffer.
I have to suffer for the beauty of Thailand. If I can make you enlightened, the suffering is worth it. When I wear this dress, I sympathize with all the Thai beauties and the policemen when they wear so much – you know, girdles and hats. How do they bear it every day? I don’t know. I sympathize with you – your belt, vest, jacket and everything. How do you do it? I only wear it once in a while and I already suffer so much! Normally at home I run around in elastic band trousers and dyed monk-colors clothing, and that’s what I feel good in.
Alright. Next one. (My spouse is practicing, but he/she is leaving from the marriage, married life. What should we do if we don’t have him/her?) Practicing what? What’s she doing? (I think they mean that they are leaving; they’re renouncing their family in order to …)
A non-initiate, right? (Right.) Must be. Because our initiates are not allowed to leave home without the agreement of family members. So, OK. If you don’t have her or him, then find someone else. There are so many in this room, at least. Yeah. What’s wrong? Can you not live alone? I’m alone every day. I have not died yet. Come wait for me. I’ll take you out for coffee. Don’t be so serious.
You should be happy for your partner if she or he wants to follow the Buddha’s teaching or become a nun or monk. It’s also very good. If she or he goes out gambling, killing people, or stealing, then you should worry. But if they want to become a monk or nun, it’s very noble. Why not? You should follow, maybe become a monk also. If our loved ones want to do something virtuous and right, then we should rejoice, support. You should feel worried about being without enlightenment, not without a wife or husband. We are born alone and we will go alone. So, get used to it.
(Can one be initiated in a past life and come back?) The past is gone. If you want initiation now, then go outside. (If you want to get initiation now, please go outside and register your name.)
Photo Caption: Humble, Tiny, Rare to See. Search in Godlove, Maybe!
