No True Conflict between the Two

~ By Ajahn Jayasāro ~

Theravāda takes a rather modest and downbeat approach to helping others. Whereas the Bodhisattva vow states boldly, ‘Suffering beings are beyond number; I vow to save them all’ the Theravādans are more circumspect. They say, ‘Suffering beings are beyond number; I shall try to help reduce the suffering, wherever I can, as best I can’.

Both approaches acknowledge the challenge that faces all those who wish to do good in the world: how do you keep going when, looking at the big picture, nothing you do seems to make much difference.

The Theravāda approach is based on the acceptance that although we understand there to be countless beings migrating through beginningless realms of existence, all we can ever know as a direct experience is what’s happening here in this body and mind, right now. All we can take responsibility for is this present moment. So we learn how to establish mindfulness in the present moment, our only reality. And at each succeeding moment, we do the best we can. For ourselves and for others. Because there is no true conflict between the two.

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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.