Q33. Is it difficult or easy to be awakened and liberated?
~ By Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu ~
Almost everyone answers that it is extremely difficult. No one dares to think or speak of it as being easy. Here again, let’s keep to the principle of not giving unqualified answers. Anyone who gives unqualified answers, saying, for example, ‘there is’ or ‘there’s not,’ ‘it’s easy’ or ‘it’s difficult,’ isn’t a follower of the Buddha.
The Buddha’s principle is that of causes and conditions. If we act rightly through understanding the principle of causes and conditions, being arahant is easy. If we go against the principle of causes and conditions, it is extremely difficult. Only because we are accustomed to the defilements does it appear difficult to become arahant. Here we ought to bear in mind that saying of the Buddha, ‘If we live rightly, the world will not be empty of arahants.’ This living rightly isn’t difficult, it isn’t beyond our capacity. Blockade the defilements to prevent their obtaining nourishment. If we need to kill a tiger, we could pen him in with nothing to eat, and he would die eventually. It wouldn’t be necessary for us to go in, confront the tiger, and let him bite and claw us. This is what is meant by saying it isn’t beyond our capacity. This is the skillful method, and it lies within our abilities.
Therefore, being arahant will be easy or not depending on whether we use the right or the wrong methods. If we follow what the Buddha said, it isn’t difficult. ‘Live rightly and the world will not be empty of arahants.’
(From “Buddha-Dhamma for Inquiring Minds”)
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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).
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For all English retreat talks, visit Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu.
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Photo: Buddhadāsa Indapañño Archives E-304