Barre Center for Buddhist Studies

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What’s Left of the True Teaching

Poem
Andrew Olendzki
2011

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samaṇassa ahū cintā
pupphitamhi mahāvane
ekaggassa nisinnassa
pavivittassa jhāyino:
[Thag 920]
This thought occurred to the wanderer
Who was seated, single minded,
Among the flowers of the forest,
Meditating in seclusion:
aññathā lokanāthamhi
tiṭṭhante purisuttame
iriyaṃ āsi bhikkūhnaṃ
aññathā dāni dissate.
[Thag 921]
Compared to when that best of men,
The guide of all the world, remained,
The behavior of the bhikkhus
Appears to be so different now!
araññe rukkhamūlesu
kandarāsu guhāsu ca
vivekam anubrūhantā
vihaṃsu tapparāyanā,
[Thag 925]
Among the roots of forest trees,
And in caverns and in grottoes,
Being devoted to seclusion…
They used to dwell intent on that.
pāpakānañ ca dhammānaṃ
kilesānañ ca yo utu
upaṭṭhitāvivekāya
ye ca saddhammasesakā.
[Thag 930]
In this era where there are those
Corrupt and of wicked intent,
Those who still uphold seclusion
Keep what’s left of the true teaching.

These lines were composed by a monk who received his instruction directly from the Buddha, and thus the “corruption” he is lamenting would be that of the very first generation of practitioners. Already, it seems, the draw away from solitary practice in the wilderness and toward the settled monastic centers had set in. How easily the mind is enticed by the external world.

The verses suggest to us today that the true teaching (saddhamma) is still best served by spending time in solitary meditation, among the roots of forest trees. It is a teaching of inner exploration, of silent observation, and of secluded, single minded, habitation. This is the direction in which the Buddha, that best of men, continues to guide the world.

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Insight Journal

2011

In this issue:

What’s Left of the True Teaching

By Andrew Olendzki

Poem

We Are Constructed Through Metaphor

By Arnie Kozak

Article

Seeing the Wheel, Stopping the Spin

By Christina Feldman

Article

What Feels Right about Right Action?

By Jake Davis

Article

Deep Dukkha

By Toni Bernhard

Article

Study & Practice with Nāgārjuna’s Dharma

By Jay Garfield

Interview

No Hatred for Anyone

By Andrew Olendzki

Sutta Study

The Moon Among Stars

By Andrew Olendzki

Sutta Study

Even Once!

By Andrew Olendzki

Sutta Study

The Removal of Grudges

By Andrew Olendzki

Sutta Study

Do It!

By Andrew Olendzki

Sutta Study

 

All issues:

See all Insight Journal issues

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  • Home
  • About Us
    • New and Notable
    • Mission and Values
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • IMS
    • Job Openings
    • Getting to BCBS
    • Mailing List
    • Contact Us
  • Residential Courses
    • Residential Course Calendar
    • Yearlong Programs
      • Dharma and Art: A Practice of Investigating Perception
      • Nalanda Program
    • Everything You Need to Know
    • Typical Course Schedule
    • Self-Study
    • Continuing Education Credits
    • Financial Assistance
    • Teacher Dāna
  • Online Programs
    • Foundations of a Soulmaking Dharma
    • Satipaṭṭhāna Meditation
    • Entering The Path: An Online Foundations Course in Early Buddhist Study and Practice
    • Dharma and Art: A Practice of Investigating Perception
    • Cancellation Policy
  • Teaching Faculty
  • Resources
    • Insight Journal
    • Bhikkhu Anālayo Lectures
    •  Publications by Bhikkhu Anālayo
    • Books
    • Access to Insight
  • Generosity
    • Donate
    • Volunteer
    • Teacher Dāna
    • Planned Giving
    • Stock Transfers