Mundane Goodness Is Not Enough

~ By Ajahn Jayasāro ~

A rough assessment of our progress in Dhamma practice may be gained by observing to what extent the number of things that make us suffer has decreased and the number of things that bring us joy and contentment has increased. But the sense of wellbeing we experience as the grosser defilements become much weaker has its own dangers.

It is easy to become complacent. The good can often become an obstacle to reaching the best. For this reason the Buddha said that one of the most vital supporting factors on his path to enlightenment was a discontent with the wholesome qualities that he had already cultivated. He never stopped moving forward until he reached the ultimate good.

Until we reach Stream Entry, the first level of enlightenment, all of the positive changes we have made through our Dhamma practice are unstable and unreliable. They may seem to be rock solid, but they are not. It is only at Stream Entry that they become irreversible. The statement that this human realm is dukkha does not necessarily mean that it is a source of constant pain. It is a reminder that as soon as unenlightened beings let down their guard, even for a moment, the world is likely to bite them hard. Mundane goodness is not enough.

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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.