Dhammakaya Open University

The Reed Flower That Led to Liberation Part 1🌺🌺🌺

Today, beneath the golden radiance of the Phra Maha Dhammakaya Chedi—the Pagoda of One Million Buddhas—120 participants from 38 countries have gathered with one shared purpose:
To discover peace within.

Many have traveled thousands of kilometers. Some are visiting Thailand for the very first time. Yet despite different languages, cultures, and backgrounds, they are united by the same aspiration:

To find true happiness.

More than 2,500 years ago, the Buddha discovered the Middle Way—the path leading beyond suffering to genuine freedom and peace.
He taught that lasting happiness is not found by chasing the world outside, but by understanding the mind within.

The method is simple.

Gently bring the mind to rest at the center of the body.
Relax.
Let go.
Do not force the mind.
Do not struggle with thoughts.

Simply allow the mind to become still, in a way that feels pleasant, comfortable, and natural.

As the mind grows quieter, an inner sense of well-being begins to emerge.
A peaceful happiness that does not depend on possessions, success, or circumstances.

This is why meditators from around the world have come here today.

Sitting together in meditation and walking in circumambulation around the sacred chedi of one million Buddhas, they are following the timeless path taught by the Buddha—a path of inner stillness, wisdom, and compassion.

The Buddha taught that when the mind becomes truly still, it becomes clear.
When it becomes clear, wisdom arises.

And when wisdom arises, suffering fades away.

In that stillness, one begins to taste a profound inner happiness—a happiness that resembles, in a small way, the peace of Nibbāna itself.

For world peace does not begin in conference rooms or battlefields.

It begins in the human heart.

World peace through inner peace.

And inner peace begins with a single moment of comfortable stillness.

Part 10.

Next, he threw a terrifying magical weapon that roared through the sky like lightning.

But when it reached the Buddha, it changed into a soft cloth and fell respectfully at the Buddha's feet.

The yakkha was amazed.

He wondered why the Buddha showed no fear.

Finally, he realized that the Buddha was protected by perfect loving-kindness.

Wanting to make the Buddha angry, the yakkha ordered Him:

"Go away, monk!"

The Buddha quietly stepped outside.

The yakkha thought, "This monk is easy to command."

He ordered the Buddha to come back.

The Buddha returned.

The yakkha repeated this command three times, and each time the Buddha obeyed calmly.

On the fourth time, however, the Buddha said,

"I will not go out again. Do what you think is right."

The yakkha then decided to ask questions that had troubled him for a long time.
He threatened the Buddha:

"If you cannot answer my questions, I will tear out your heart and throw it across the Ganges River!"
The Buddha replied fearlessly,
"I see no being in this world, among gods, humans, Brahmas, or spirits, who can do such a thing to me. Ask whatever you wish, and I will answer."

The yakkha began asking profound questions.

"What is the greatest treasure in the world?"
"What brings true happiness when practiced?"
"What is the sweetest taste?"
"What kind of life is the best?"..
The Buddha answered:
"Faith is the greatest treasure.
Practicing the Dhamma brings happiness.
Truth is the sweetest taste.
A life guided by wisdom is the best life."..
The yakkha continued:
"How does one cross the flood of suffering?
How does one cross the great ocean?
How does one overcome sorrow?
How does one become pure?"
The Buddha replied:

"One crosses the flood through faith.
One crosses the ocean through careful mindfulness.
One overcomes suffering through effort.
One becomes pure through wisdom."

The yakkha asked more questions, and the Buddha answered each one with perfect wisdom.

As he listened, the yakkha's heart softened.
His faith in the Buddha grew stronger and stronger.
Finally, after hearing the Dhamma, Āḷavaka attained Stream-entry, the first stage of enlightenment.

From that moment on, he became a kind and virtuous being. He took refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha and followed the path of goodness for the rest of his life.

This story shows the Buddha's extraordinary compassion and wisdom.
To help others awaken, He used patience, loving-kindness, supernatural abilities, and skillful teaching.

Whenever He saw someone ready to understand the truth, He never hesitated to travel great distances or endure hardships to help them.
As Buddhists, we should follow the Buddha's example.
We should practice His teachings, develop wisdom and compassion, and strive to free ourselves from suffering.
Like Āḷavaka, anyone can change.
Even the fiercest heart can be transformed by the light of the Dhamma.

์Part 9🍎🍎🍎

Next he threw a terrifying magical weapon that roared through the sky like lightning.

But when it reached the Buddha, it changed into a soft cloth and fell respectfully at the Buddha's feet.

The yakkha was amazed.
He wondered why the Buddha showed no fear.
Finally, he realized that the Buddha was protected by perfect loving-kindness.
Wanting to make the Buddha angry, the yakkha ordered Him:

"Go away, monk!"
The Buddha quietly stepped outside.
The yakkha thought, "This monk is easy to command."
He ordered the Buddha to come back.
The Buddha returned.
The yakkha repeated this command three times, and each time the Buddha obeyed calmly.

On the fourth time, however, the Buddha said,
"I will not go out again. Do what you think is right."
The yakkha then decided to ask questions that had troubled him for a long time.
He threatened the Buddha:
"If you cannot answer my questions, I will tear out your heart and throw it across the Ganges River!"

The Buddha replied fearlessly,
"I see no being in this world, among gods, humans, Brahmas, or spirits, who can do such a thing to me. Ask whatever you wish, and I will answer."

The yakkha began asking profound questions.

"What is the greatest treasure in the world?"
"What brings true happiness when practiced?"
"What is the sweetest taste?"
"What kind of life is the best?"..
The Buddha answered:
"Faith is the greatest treasure.
Practicing the Dhamma brings happiness.
Truth is the sweetest taste.
A life guided by wisdom is the best life."..
The yakkha continued:
"How does one cross the flood of suffering?
How does one cross the great ocean?
How does one overcome sorrow?
How does one become pure?"
The Buddha replied:

"One crosses the flood through faith.
One crosses the ocean through careful mindfulness.
One overcomes suffering through effort.
One becomes pure through wisdom."

The yakkha asked more questions, and the Buddha answered each one with perfect wisdom.

As he listened, the yakkha's heart softened.
His faith in the Buddha grew stronger and stronger.
Finally, after hearing the Dhamma, Āḷavaka attained Stream-entry, the first stage of enlightenment.

From that moment on, he became a kind and virtuous being. He took refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha and followed the path of goodness for the rest of his life.

This story shows the Buddha's extraordinary compassion and wisdom.
To help others awaken, He used patience, loving-kindness, supernatural abilities, and skillful teaching.

Whenever He saw someone ready to understand the truth, He never hesitated to travel great distances or endure hardships to help them.
As Buddhists, we should follow the Buddha's example.

We should practice His teachings, develop wisdom and compassion, and strive to free ourselves from suffering.
Like Āḷavaka, anyone can change.
Even the fiercest heart can be transformed by the light of the Dhamma.