We Can All Propagate the Dhamma

~ By Ajahn Jayasāro ~

Recently, a monk told me about an experience he had while walking through the countryside in Europe. He said that one day, an almsround in a small town, a man approached him with money in his hand. The man assumed that the monk’s bowl lid must have a slit in it like a piggy bank, and intended to make a donation. When the monk informed him that he could not receive money, the man would not believe him – perhaps he thought he was uttering some fake piety: ‘No, no. Really. I could not!’, and he continued to search for the slit. A small struggle ensued.

Eventually, the man accepted that the monk was indeed determined to refuse the money. Realising this he became very moved and tears filled his eyes. He had never dreamed that in this modern world there were still people who would refuse a gift of money, with no strings attached. He hurried off to the nearby supermarket to buy some food to offer instead.  

It is not only monastics who can inspire people – even non-Buddhists – simply by keeping their precepts and trying to apply the Buddha’s teachings in their daily life as best they can. We can all propagate the Dhamma through being honest, generous, kind and considerate, mindful and calm.

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"Food for the Heart", a series of Dhamma teachings handwritten weekly is posted on the Buddhadāsa Indapañño Archives page with Ajahn's kind permission.

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For other teachings by Ven. Ajahn Jayasāro, please visit the Panyaprateep Foundation website.