Luang Pu Wat Paknam’s Dhamma Saying No. 3

"The Path of Dhamma Begins with Stillness"

 

To go this way, one must stop. The path of Dhamma begins with stopping. From the very beginning all the way to arahantship—without stopping, it’s impossible to proceed. It's very clear. Strange, isn't it? In worldly matters, people must move swiftly, actively, and efficiently. But in the Dhamma, one must come to stillness.

In the worldly way, one must study extensively—so much so that one understands all the cunning and complexity of people in order to govern the world successfully.
But the Dhamma path is different—strangely so.
Just stop.
Only stopping leads the way.
Stopping alone is the key


(Special Discourse: The Principle of Practicing Tranquility and Insight Meditation from the Book “Path to Fruition”)


Phra Mongkolthepmuni (Sodh Candasaro), The Mara-Vanquishing Monk