A Special Pill

~ By Ajahn Jayasāro ~

A person suffering from a number of ailments went to see a doctor. The doctor did not reveal his diagnosis but prescribed a certain pill for his patient which he said should be taken three times a day: morning, afternoon and nighttime. He said that it was important that after taking the pill the patient should drink a large glass of water. Some time later the person returned for a checkup. He said that he felt much better and asked the doctor what exactly had been wrong with him. The doctor said, ‘You weren’t drinking enough water.’

Sometimes practitioners go to see their teachers wanting a special pill to take away their problems. But many difficulties are the result of a fault in our overall approach and attitude, rather than a technical flaw to be cured with a technical fix. Perhaps the teacher will give a pill, but the most important thing is drinking the water.

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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.