The Dhammic Life Which Is Still a Secret
Photo: Buddhadāsa Indapañño Archives C00900
“Evolution seems to have developed greater varieties of individual characteristics that support the concept of self in man than in most other beings. Why fight against natural conditions by trying to eliminate self, no matter how noble the cause of peace may be?”
~ Response by Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu ~
The thing about self is that whenever the concept of self arises, there is dukkha. There is dukkha right then and there, and then out of that concept of self further arises egoism and selfishness. So due to this concept of self, one harms both oneself and others, one abuses both oneself and others. One should be careful to discriminate between different levels of understanding and practice. For example although there may be the concept of self, if it is dealt with correctly, if we practice properly, there will be some benefit in that self and it will not harm others or oneself so much. But if the concept of self arises and we deal with it unwisely, then it will be the source of great harm for both oneself and others. On an ordinary level we should never forget that self must depend on itself. We must depend on ourselves because there isn’t anyone else who can do it for us. Therefore on the beginning level, when getting started, we’ll still be operating on the level of self, but on the highest level of Dhamma one sees that any kind of self, no matter how good, how noble, any kind of self is dukkha, that any kind of self is a burden, and so one seeks to eliminate all concepts of self. On an ordinary level one is abandoning evil and harmful concepts of self and tries to develop a better self, a less troublesome self. But once any feeling or sense of self is gone, then all problems and difficulties concerning how one must help oneself are finished. One no longer has to be concerned with depending on oneself or helping oneself.
From the retreat “The Dhammic Life Which Is Still a Secret,” as translated from the Thai by Santikaro
Dhamma Questions & Responses sessions were offered by Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu in 1990-1991 to foreign meditators attending Suan Mokkh International Dharma Hermitage courses.
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