Forbearance

~ By Ajahn Jayasāro ~

Forbearance (Khanti) was praised by the Buddha as the ‘supreme incinerator’ of defilement. It has been defined as ‘peaceful co-existence with the unpleasant’. We cultivate forbearance best when we clearly see its value and when it becomes a major intermediate goal for us on our path of practice.

To accomplish this, we need to remind ourselves again and again how important forbearance is. We do this by reflecting on the dangers of its lack and the advantages of its possession. We ask ourselves, ‘what suffering have we caused ourself and inflicted on others in the past through a lack of forbearance? What happiness and benefit have we experienced in our life as a result of practising forbearance? How much more suffering awaits us in the future if we neglect the cultivation of forbearance? How much of our future happiness and progress on the path depends upon it?’

In addition, we may recall examples of a lack of forbearance in others and all the unfortunate results that came from it. We may bring to mind examples of forbearance that inspire us. Gradually, the thought of forbearance comes to dwell in the forefront of our mind, and exerts more and more of an influence on our life. We begin to see every moment that we need to exercise forbearance, not as an oppressive or depressing experience, but as an integral part of the path to liberation.

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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.