Short Words (pages 1 thru 3)

During my recent visit to Suan Mokkh, I picked up some new books. The Buddhadasa Archives has been reproducing some of Tan Ajahn's notebooks, including a set that he called his "Will & Testament." I'll be translating selections of these as regularly as I am able, and sending them to the Buddhadasa listserve, as well as posting here.

I hope that you take some time to ponder these, as he gave them a great deal of thought. He kept notebooks over the years in which he reflected on the Dhamma and experimented with ways to express his insights and understanding. The "Short Words" are one piece of his attempts to express the more profound aspects of Dhamma in a way ordinary people could understand.

Further, he sought more than mere literal understanding (sutta-maya-panya). He hoped to provoke wise reflection (yoniso-manasikara) leading to cinda-maya-panya (thoughtful, reasoned understanding). From there, practice can lead to bhavana-maya-panya (the wisdom that comes from direct spiritual experience).

[1]

Don't be hungry for Heaven, it will become Hell.

Nibbana was born before the religions that established and codified it.

If today is correct, there's no need to fear tomorrow.

The most fortunate birth is to have discovered voidness.

A woman with atammayata can't be hooked by any man.

A man with atammayata can't be seduced by any woman.

Atammayata = unconcoctability, "I ain't gonna mess with you no more"

The world is wearisome! Because weary of the world.

The world is wearisome! I ain't gonna mess with it any more.

If there's 'me' and 'mine,' it's natural to prick ones ears and point ones tail.

We must lessen 'me' and 'mine' for there to Metta-Karuna.

Metta = loving kindness & Karuna = compassion

Try being a monster to me; I'll kiss you to death.

Dogs don't have to take precepts to not drink alcohol.

Pigs eat rotten food and make it valuable.

No matter how full a cat is, it still catches mice.

Roosters crow on time without being trapped in time.

[2]

There's bits of evil hidden in everything good.

Don't get crazy or drunk with goodness, demons will possess.

Don't get crazy or drunk with punya, it becomes a leach.

In everything, there's positive and negative to be found.

punya = goodness, merit

When yet small, we appear gentle like little bear cubs;

Once fully grown, the cubs disappear turning into dogs.

Born swans, preserving honor, having swan's prestige.

If infatuated with that status, sunk in mire, swan's prestige disappears.

Seeing "self" all the way is to be puthujana (Thickster).

puthujana = Thickster, one whose vision is obstructed by rather thick ignorance.

Seeing "there's no self" is to be deluded.

Seeing "self is not-self" is to see straight.

When fully releasing all self, Nibbana appears. 

[3]

Is this Dhamma talking or is it Dhamma practice?

Everyone thinks they themselves know rightly.

Without mindfulness panya is a waste.

panya = knowledge, intelligence, wisdom

Without patience the fruit never ripens.

Eating just meat is ogre; eating just plants is monkey.

Oh, it's nothing, it can change after all.

Don't concoct! Don't concoct!! Don't concoct!!!

Let the Ego enjoy it's happiness till it croaks!

In heavenly cities they argue because of Mego and Yougo.

They're crazy because they want goodness. 

They commit suicide because deluded by goodness.

If a teacher doesn't speak, what will anyone benefit?

Oh! Another disciple seeking teacher has shown up.

Have money for not having money -- that's special!

Have religion for the sake of having no religion.

Everyone thinks they aren't stupid.