Q22. What sort of daily inner life did the Buddha experience?

~ By Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu ~

The Buddha once said concerning himself, ‘The Tathāgata dwells in the Temple of Emptiness (suññatā-vihāra).’ This ‘temple’ is a spiritual dwelling, not a physical one. Vihāra refers to a spiritual dwelling place, that is, a dwelling of mind and heart. The Temple of Emptiness is an ever-present experience devoid of any notions of ‘self’ or ‘belonging to self.’ To dwell in the Temple of Emptiness is to live in full awareness that all things are empty and free of selfhood. Experiencing this is suññatā, emptiness, and dwelling in it is called the Temple of Emptiness. The Buddha dwelt in the Temple of Emptiness, experiencing supreme bliss continuously. This is what the Master said of himself.

(From “Buddha-Dhamma for Inquiring Minds”)

- - ❖ - -

Buddha-Dhamma for Students (title of original translation) was composed of two talks given by Ajahn Buddhadāsa in January 1966 to students at Thammasat University, Bangkok. It was translated from the Thai by Rod Bucknell, and revised in 2018 by Santikaro Upasaka. To read/download as free ebook (pdf).

- - ❖ - -

For all English retreat talks, visit Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu.

For more information and free ebooks, visit Suan Mokkh – The Garden of Liberation.

Photo: Buddhadāsa Indapañño Archives E-22