Please Listen to me I will tell you something special

Dr. Most Venerable
Mirisse Dhammika Nayaka Thero

Among the many trees in a forest, sandalwood trees are rare. The leaves, stems, flowers, bark and wood of this tree are fragrant. When cutting a sandalwood tree, even the tools used become fragrant. Therefore, everyone likes the sandalwood tree.

If someone Slaps You What World You Do?

If someone slaps you, what would you do? What would be your answer? When the Buddha was living in the Jethawana Monastery, Thero Punna came to obtain permission from the Teacher prior to leaving for a far away destination. The following conversation took place.

Buddha, “Punna, the village of Suna parantha is a rough

place. What would you do if the villagers insult

you”?

Punna, “Venerable Sir, I would think that I was not insulted”

Buddha. “Punna, if they assault you,

what would you do”?

Punna. “Venerable Sir, I would think that they didn't as

sault me”.

Buddha. “punna, if they kill you,

what would you do”?

Punna, “Venerable Sir, I would

think that they did not kill me”.

One can assume this is what Punna Thero who was about to attain sainthood might have said. But one may not necessarily agree with him. However, when considering the answer given by Punna, our minds should be free of anger, hatred, jealousy, remorse and unkindness. If the above defilements are resident in our mind, they may not permit us to agree with Punna. Just for the sake of happiness in our lives let us truly be like Punna for a brief moment. Thus, I would suggest the following.

If we are attacked unexpectedly, we should not respond with aggression. But, we may safeguard ourselves from the next attack with our minds free from defilements such as aggression, insult, revenge and things alike. This enables us to figure out what we are. If we have the ability to preclude those defilements, we are noble beings.

I Sleep Well

One morning, the Buddha was seated under a road side tree in the periphery of a large forest. A young traveller passing by approached the Buddha. Since there was no protection or comfort under the tree, the traveller sarcastically asked Him “did you sleep well last night”? The Buddha replied ”I sleep better”, He went further to elaborate His answer.

“My mind is free from defilements. It is not contaminated with sensual desires. The sensual desires are fires that burn mind and body. The fires keep one perpetually thinking about those desires and as a result one gets only light sleep. Sometimes one talks in sleep. I do not have any of these. Thus, I can sleep very well. I have no hatred or remorse as if someone has assaulted insulted or even robbed me. When the mind is angry, the body too feels the pain. My mind is free from all these defilements and thus I can sleep well. My mind is free from attachments. Attachment compels one to keep all the possessions, multipy them and the desire to acquire what one doesn't have. This attachment sometimes prevents one from sleeping. I can sleep well because I am free from all attachments.” The Buddha asked the traveller “do you sleep well”? He said” even if I have a cosy bed full of pleasant fragrances and a beautiful wife on my side, my sleep is not as good as yours.” How many of us would agree with this traveller? How can we enjoy a comfortable sleep when our anxiety and stress levels caused by materialistic exigencies, are so extreme?

Fragrant Sandalwood Tree

Among the many trees in a forest, sandalwood trees are rare. The leaves, stems, flowers, bark and wood of this tree are fragrant. When cutting a sandalwood tree, even the tools used become fragrant. Therefore, everyone likes the sandalwood tree.

The sandalwood tree is an appropriate analogy to a virtuous person in our society. Among the many billions of people, virtuous people are rare. Similar to diffusing the fragrance of a sandalwood tree, a virtuous person is a blessing to a vast number of Beings. There are many people who are like cactuses with prickly thorns. People are scared even to walk near cactus trees for thorns can be life threatening. Similarly, association with evil friends is a threat to life. Their thoughts, words and deeds are full of evil. The difference between evil and good can be distinguished when we think of those who brought the world to war and the saints who brought peace and harmony to people.

As torrential rains and cyclones can never decimate the fragrance of a sandalwood tree, the many obstructions, insults and dangers can never obliterate the noble qualities of a virtuous person. When a virtuous person is challenged, obstructed Insulted or placed in danger, he makes the best of the situation, similar to the sandalwood tree that becomes more fragrant when cut. Many people seemed to be good in their outlook, smile, dress and talk. Their true nature can be experienced when working closely together in social issues. The virtuous person is entirely pure both from in and outside. Such a person does not try to exploit others for personal gain and is not envious of the well being of others. In spite of the many obstacles on the way, a virtuous person never terminates the noble course.