Dhamma Saying of Luang Pu Wat Paknam – Saying No. 4

 

"The reason for chanting in this manner is to help steady the mind and bring it to stillness.

Chanting Samma Arahang, Samma Arahang, Samma Arahang... again and again — once it is done correctly, the mind stops right at the center of the inner sphere. Whether there is darkness or brightness, it is all centered there. There is no need to shift or retreat; simply remain still right there.

When the stillness is just right, the deeper the darkness, the clearer the inner light becomes. If it is already bright, you will see the bright sphere. The mind remains still, resting at the center of that sphere of light.

If the mind doesn’t stay still and keeps swaying, then resume the chanting:
Samma Arahang, Samma Arahang...
until the stillness is attained once again.

When the mind has come to a stop, you can stop chanting. Just observe with calm and equanimity.

If it begins to stir or drift again, resume the chanting to hold it in place:
Samma Arahang, Samma Arahang...
Continue until the mind becomes completely still once more.

Once stillness returns, cease the chanting. Simply observe — be calm and detached. Let the mind rest right there.
Just that stillness — nothing else.
Don’t dwell on whether it’s dark or bright.
Just remain in that state of stillness."

 

“That stillness — that is the true path to success.
It has been said before: ‘The recluse stops. The recluse stops.’
The Buddha hinted that the recluse has already stopped — but you have not yet stopped.

Just this stopping — get it right, right here.
There’s no need to talk grandly or in vast terms.
Let us all first agree on this one thing: stopping.

Those who have truly stopped — they’ve done it.
There are over eighty practitioners at Wat Paknam who’ve accomplished this.
We’re human too — why shouldn’t we be able to do it?

The only reason one cannot is because one does not truly practice.
If you’re sincere, you will attain it.
How sincere must you be? As sincere as life itself.

Even if your flesh and blood were to dry up completely, and only skin and bones remain — so be it.
If you do not attain it, do not rise from your seat.
Just this much sincerity — and anyone can succeed.”

 

**“As for myself, there were two occasions I almost died from stillness...
But when the moment came, I attained it. I didn’t die — just stayed still...
And when the time was right, I attained it. Death never came.

The Lord Buddha was just the same.
He persevered with unwavering effort, the Fourfold Right Effort (Caturaṅga-Viriya) —
even when only skin and bones remained, and his blood and flesh had dried up completely — it didn’t matter.

With such Fourfold Effort,
in the first watch of the night, he attained the knowledge of past lives (Pubbenivāsānussatiñāṇa);
in the second watch, the knowledge of birth and death (Cutūpapātañāṇa);
and in the third watch, the knowledge of the destruction of defilements (Āsavakkhayañāṇa).

Throughout that night, he truly persisted.

Our master was the same.
We, as disciples, must be equally sincere.
Don’t just wish to die — truly stop.
Commit to stillness completely.

When you truly stop, you will realize:
‘Ah, so this is the true path of the religion.
This is the precise way.’

Once you reach that point, remember it well —
Samma Arahang, Samma Arahang, Samma Arahang —
keep your mind firm and unmoved.”


(Special Sermon: Principles of Tranquility and Insight Meditation Practice — from the Book “Path to Fruition”)


Phra Mongkolthepmuni (Sodh Candasaro), known as “The Mara Vanquisher”