I came upon this story just when I had started to serve long term here at Dhamma Sobhana in Sweden. It had such a powerful impact on me as I realized the absolute truth that we are all dominated by the laws of nature.
If we know the laws of nature and follow them we will live in bliss. If we do not we will experience the hellfire within ourselves (our agitated minds) as nature punishes us for going against it. It certainly humbled me and made me feel even more happy that I am on this path of liberation. Since then I have understood – “If I live a life of virtue, purifying the mind by means of Vipassana meditation, abstaining from immoral behavior – nature will take care of me. This is all I have to do. Nature (Dhamma) will take care of the rest.”
This story is quoted from the book “For the Benefit of Many” by S.N. Goenka. It was told by Goenkaji at Dhamma Mahi in France, August of 1988, on the topic of “How to strengthen a Dhamma center”.
“Here is a little story: A bullock cart owner used to transport goods from one place to the other. This man had a small dog. When he traveled from one village to another, he trained the dog to walk under the bullock cart to avoid the sun’s heat. Wherever they traveled, the farmer sat on the bullock cart but the dog walked below in the shade of the cart.
In time the small dog came to feel that he was carrying the entire burden of the cart, and he wondered why the farmer gave so much attention to the bullocks. He thought, ‘I am carrying the burden of this cart! Wherever we travel, it is over my back. More importance should be given to me!’
Actually, nobody is carrying the cart; the Dhamma is carrying the cart. Nobody should feel, ‘I am the most important person, it is only because of me that the center functions properly. It is only because of me that the teaching is given, that Dhamma spreads.’ Come out of this madness!
Understand that you are simply a vehicle, a tool, and Dhamma is doing its job. If you had not been given this responsibility, somebody else would have taken it and the work would go on. Dhamma is bound to spread now; the clock of Vipassana has struck. You have been given the opportunity to serve in one way or another, and this should not become a cause of inflating your ego.” – S.N. Goenka
This story made me very happy. All we have to do is to train ourselves (in virtue and meditation) to walk in the shade that Dhamma (the cart pulled by nature) provides. Then we are protected from the misery (the sun) of the world. No need to think like the small dog and generate ego. Be happy and grateful nature provides for us when we live in harmony with it!
Walk in the shade – there is no need to burn yourself in the sun anymore!
May you be inspired and happy!
walkthepath
Dear self,
I’m excited I’m going for the 1st course this coming wednesday. I know this would deleiver me from pain.
I’m happy that people like you are doing all they could to spread the message of enlightened being.
May God bless you!!
AS
Hi
I’ve been reading your wall for quite some time… i am person who completed two ten day courses and one 3day course… it’s been 1 year and two months since i’ve finished my last 10 day course.. counting the days to go for the next 10 day couse.. But it’s really hard with my job to get 12 days leave… so at the moment it can be as far as august or november.. august also highly unlikely.. I’m quite sad i ‘ve lost the practice and i rarely practise now.. But i’m glad i sat for the second course.. course from that i got a excellent foundation and a good establishment with dhamma… even though my practise not consistant nobody or anything couldnt deviate me from my great understanding.. i know well it’s real view of the world..
Your blog is quite encouraging to me in few ways… I have a good friend him also walking the path of the dhamma with the greater difficulties such as preagnant wife , hectic job… but him and me both never deviate from the path even with less practise cos the establishment we have.. i told him about your blog as well cos it’s quite encouragin in many ways,,
I read your last article blog about the givin up… I very happy about the profound understanding your have… I know i had the same sort of a understanding when i finish my 2nd course… I think you are really trascending in to the real happiness of dhamma… Your giving up on materialstic thing such as moblie phone camera and all that comes only with a great understanding..
cos when you see the ultimate reality we start realising the pointless nature of the matereals and the things we call happy in the conventional reality… the way i see it suffering exist in everywhere… anything we get cling or attach is end up with suffering… but give up things with that understanding is real happeiness… cos less attachment is less suffering,,, I’m really really happy about your understanding.. I see you as a good dhamma friend.. i really know how it feels like the every word you put in to this blog.. cos it’s the non selfness.. cos every word you mean it and have a deep understanding of their real nature… keep up the good work.. love to keep in touch with you more often.. thank you and you may attain the supreme bliss of happines in this life it self…
Hi
It’s very encouraging to read your blog.
WIsh you the best
With much metta
greetings brother. i hope that you will continues to make blog posts and videos. as you (un)learn, please do share with us.
Dear bohemiankitsch,
Understand, this blog is not for intellectual stimulation. If all we do is talk about dhamma, we will not get the benefit we should get. We will loose the core of the teaching. Practicing is always most important. Instead of spending a lot of time writing, I meditate and I live my life.
Make your own experience, then you are most welcome to write on this blog (and all others who have something to share). This blog must not be about me. It must be about Dhamma – Vipassana.
May all beings be happy.
walkthepath
Kalyaan Mitra,
I am always happy to see people cultivating right dhamma in their life. Seeing your video ‘living a life of dhamma 1-2′, I was encouraged to take long duration “adidthaana”. Thank you for that. I have done three 10 day courses and looking forward to doing “satipathaana” soon and a 10 day service at “dharma-shringa” in Nepal.
I want to confess something here. I have seen many people coming to the dhamma center and its sad only a very very few of the participants realize what they just recieved. A teaching of enlighted person to come out of the misery of ‘becoming’! Most of the other people see it as a mere technique just to relieve from mental stress. I hope everybody realize the depth of dhamma.
And I would also like to sujjest vipassana meditators that practice and theory should be equal. Only pracice makes difficult to continue while only theory makes a person a blind devotee. So it is adviced to practice and have a sound theory knowledge of vipassana. Personally, I would say, good relation with the venerables will be good to learn theory and their experiences in meditation.
I hope all the beings of 31 celestial planes of existence find right dhamma, the teaching of an enlighted person, and experience permanent happiness, NIRVANA. I hope noone remains entangled in thier sect. I hope everybody comes out of their misery and everybody practices dhamma and not just mere talking!
Dhamma Friend,
Ashim
Dear Ashim,
Every single person that practices Vipassana will benefit. Not one moment of meditation goes to waste. We are all at different stages. This path is very long and one should never compare oneself to others. Compare yourself with the past you. Are you becoming happier? More peaceful? More loving? More giving? Less selfish? If so, certainly you are doing everything right. Just give metta to those who are ignorant and have not yet come to the stage which you are at. You never know, some day they might become Arahant (fully liberated).
Keep growing in Dhamma!
Metta,
walkthepath