GETTING TO KNOW

Mind is the hub of every move.

The true happiness, life can shelter under its roof.
And the Mind only can do the proof.

Life is always in action along the venue of rise and fall, love and hatred, despair,
hopeless or hopeful. Some moves would drain our energy, but some moves give. We
cannot say that life is only happiness or being covered with pain. The truth of life is
fluctuating, swinging, swaying, betraying, or unexpectedly up and down. And mostly it is
up to the external factor.

And be noted that the external factor normally weaves the web of inter-twining action to
our internal. It is the mind. Then the mind that is the hub of everything is always in the
situation unstable, tiring and restless.

It is proved that life is a two-way traffic i.e. external and internal, outside and inside.
Mostly we cannot control the external, the outside factors or situations, but the mind we
may, because it belongs to us. It is our inside. It is ours.

Luckily, Buddhist Philosophy has taught us to control and conduct the mind. All aim to
lead the living way of life to the track of real peace and happiness. Absolutely, yes, it is
“Meditation.”

To meditate, firstly is to learn how to still the mind on the point that is best balanced. It is
the station of non-defile. Secondly is how to lead the mind to go deeper along the track
of real peace. It is the Middle Way. The one and only way that leads to the real
awakening and finally to the true enlightenment.
The Middle Way is the way that connects nibbana, heaven and earth as one.

Meditation in action will be in sudden at the gateway or at the first touch of the station of
stillness, and, then, certainly, regularly, step by step all along the Middle Way. It is up to
the mind that practices well or not.

The Middle Way is the real living way. It is the only existing principle of Buddhism of The
Lord Buddha.

And be noted that real awakening or true enlightenment will be possible only by
Dhammakaya as Lord Buddha said, “He who sees the Dhammakaya, is he who gets in
touch with me, Thatagata.” (Thatagata is the name Lord Buddha called himself.)

Meditation in action will be touchable as soon as you touch or feel the station of stillness
and it will be sharper and sharper in every inch you insert your mind deeper in The
Middle Way.

THE STATION OF STILLNESS :

THE CENTRE OF THE BODY

"Being still at the centre of the body is to be seated on the throne of happiness."

It is the great words of the renown Buddhist monk, Phramonkolthepmuni (Luang Phor
Wat Paknam Pasi Charoen) or we call him in the beloved name “Luang Pu”.
Luang Pu is the one who laid his life down on the condition of gaining the truth of The
Lord Buddha.

Eighty-nine years ago, Luang Pu, at the age of 33, had sat down in the posture of
meditation and made a vow that he would never arise up again if he could not find the
truth of the Lord Buddha. And with his strong determination but gently he did his
meditation, he revealed the only path and the body of supreme truth, The Middle Way and
The Dhammakaya. The Buddhist truth that had been lost for about two thousand years
ago or around 500 years after the Lord had made his great nibbana (had passed away).

With his great work of meditation that day, he found the station of stillness or the gateway
of the Middle Way. It is at the centre of body. The Centre of our body is the gateway of
the Middle Way. And, absolutely, the centre of the body is the station of stillness that any
meditation practitioner should lay or should still the mind down upon.

Yes, we can say that to meditate is firstly to state the mind on the centre of the body.

And then, where is the real point of that centre and how to trace it? Now, it is the right
time to explore…

Luang Pu said the track that leads to the centre starts from the nostril of whom who
wants to trace, male is at the right one and female is at the left. And along the track, from
the start to the final end, there are seven bases to stop or to pause the mind (or the
feeling) there, each only once for a while.
 Getting Ready to Meditate

To start practicing meditation on your own, only a few things are needed. Just choose a
peaceful corner to sit. You can sit on a chair, a cushion, a pillow or even on the floor.

The ideal sitting posture is the cross-legged one. However, you may opt to sit in the
manner you feel most comfortable.

Drinking a glass of soft drink or even a lukewarm water is about to soften your feeling.

After reading the basic in “Getting to Know” section, now you have prepared yourself well
enough to meditate. The following part would bring your mind back home. Just start your
first personal workshop of Meditation.

Let’s Meditate

Let’s give ourselves a try. Firstly we must know the real nature of the mind. It is bright,
clear and in the sphere form like a tiny crystal ball. Normally, the mind always wanders
around. Let’s close the eyes and imagine that we bring the wandering mind to stop at the
nostril, male is at the right, female at the left. The nostril is the first base.

Imagine that the tiny crystal ball of bright and clear is gradually move into the nostril and
goes deeper to the second base and stop there for a while. The second base is at the
corner of the eye (the tear-drop point), male is at the right and female is at the left. The
technique is to open the eyes upward and then let close it again.
From the second base, imagine the tiny crystal ball gently moving deeper to the third, the
forth, the fifth and so on until it reaches the sixth. Let’s stay at the sixth for a while before
lifting it up a little distance to the seventh. Then it is at the right place, the centre of the
body.

Is it easy enough?

Yet, let’s try the other technique of Luang Pu.

Another Approach to the Centre of the Body

The other technique of marking our centre of the body is to imagine that we cross our
body by two white threads -- one is from the navel straight back to the spine. The other is
from the right side through the left. The two white threads make a crossing point inside.
And from that point, draw a line perpendicular up at the length of the width of two fingers
lying on each other. The index is on the mid finger, as shown in the picture.
 Yes, the seventh base is the centre of the body.

It is necessary only at the first time of meditation practice to explore the centre of the
body. After that is only to remind of the point. This is the point to still the mind. And to still
the mind is to remind of this point. It is the centre of the body.
It could be a point of a tiny star or a point of tiny crystal ball of bright and clear.

By doing this, the very stage of meditation, you are going to be the graceful islet among
the ever-flowing ocean of life. Like the word of the Lord Buddha “The best thing to do is
to take care of your own islet.” It is to state the mind at the station of stillness, the centre
of the body.

And would it be easier, in the next meditation practicing by taking a deep breath in. At the
deepest end of the breath inside, this will help you to confirm the existence of your own
centre.

Let’s take care of our own islet at the gateway of the Middle Way.

Being always at the centre of the body is always being at the door that opens to the true
awakening.

Being still at the centre of the body is being ready for awakening.
 THE MIDDLE WAY & THE DHAMMAKAYA

In Buddhist Philosophy, the Middle Way and the Dhammakaya are absolutely united.
The Middle Way is the way that acts like a certain thread sewing earth, heaven and
nibbana (the place of Supreme Truth) altogether.

The Middle Way is actually the only route leading through the existence of Relative and
Absolute Truths. It begins from the centre of the body and so on. All are in the process of
practical meditation. As the theory says that centre is upon centre, wisdom is upon
wisdom. All are through the very centre of each state. Then, the Middle Way earns “The
Majjim-magga” as its formal name. (In Sanskrit, Majjim means middle; and Magga
means the way.)

The Dhammakaya is as the crossing bridge between the bank of Relative Truth and
Absolute Truth. As it is said that he who is in the first state of Dhammakaya is he who
stands on both banks of the river of life. Then he must learn to balance himself well (by
always being with his centre).

The Theory of Middle Way or The Majjim-magga was very famous in the time of
Nagarjuna, the first abbot of Nalanda, the greatest Buddhist University in the time of
Gupta Dynasty of ancient India , around c.150-250. It is the latest and the most famous
Buddhist Theory concerning “The Dhammakaya” and “The Middle Way”.

But, please be noted that the Middle Way is not the theory of the great Nagarjuna. For it
is the very principal of Buddhism of Lord Buddha. The words “majjima-pati-pata” that is
the main principal of Buddhism and known to the world of philosophy means to go
directly, firmly with strong determination through the Middle Way. And it must be only by
meditation practice.

So, “meditation in action” is the meditation concerning the Middle Way. It is because
meditation will lead the practitioner to the effective and practical peace inside. For he who
practices meditation can gain peace, earn peace, can survive his life in the petals of
peace and can put his peace on every step he walks.
 TO TOUCH THE CENTRE
AND TO BE AT THE GATEWAY
OF THE MIDDLE WAY

A Revision of Meditation in Action

Firstly, please remind of the route of the mind. It is the seven bases of mind. Or do as the
theory of the two white threads crossing inside.

After briefly reminding of the seven bases or the two white threads crossing inside, then
take a deep breath to confirm the point of the centre. That is at the far end of the breath
inside. Do it as gently as you close your eyes, or while your eyes are already closed.

And from that moment all to do is to keep on reminding of the point. The eyes are still
gently closed as if you are going to sleep or rest.

You should sit still with the feeling of relaxation that thoroughly floods and soaks the
whole physical body. And, as often as possible, please do remind of the centre. It is only
to touch or feel the point, again and again in gentle manner.

But, normally, the mind loves to wander. Let it be. We shall not force it to be still at the
centre because it may plant the seed of frustration.

The technique is to relax both body and mind. We shall not sit too smartly but with tense.
It will cause physical tension. And we shall not try to control the mind since it causes
frustration. It should be only with relaxation and comfort.

So, sit or do as long as you are happy. The must is to remind of the centre as often as
possible. And “the reminding of” is to feel, to imagine or to visualize a tiny star, as if it is
sparkling at the centre of your body.

And please do not be serious with the certain place of the point. It is possibly somewhere
inside, in the area of your own abdomen. And you should keep on confirming yourself
that your real existence of life is inside at the point of the centre of your body.
 It could say

that your determination and your strong belief

will naturally lead you to the station of stillness,

at the very centre of your own body.

It is the gateway of The Middle Way

that will lead you to the real existence of truth upon truth,

through centre upon centre inside.

THE TWO TRUTHS & THE DHAMMAKAYA

Concerning the truth of the Middle Way that consists of the two Truths : Relative Truth
and Absolute Truth. By the great Buddhist master Nagarjuna of Nalanda, the Relative
Truth is the truth concerning heavenly life and the Absolute Truth is the truth concerning
nibbana or the place of Supreme Truth. The lowest is human being. The highest is Arhat,
the highest state of Dhammakaya that will never come back again. The Arhat is the one
who can stay away from re-incarnation or samsara.

It means that he, the Arhat, will never again come back to be as a human being on earth.

“Luang Pu” (Phramonkolthepmuni, Sod Chandasaro) or better known as Luang Phor

Wat Paknam Pasi Charoen gave life to these Truths by his meditation achievement. With
his achievement he turned these Truths to be a living knowledge on the day he found the
Dhammakaya of Lord Buddha.

Along the Middle Way from the lowest to the highest, Luang Pu said there are eighteen
states or eighteen bodies of truth. All are connected by the centre point of each body.
Each centre is sewed through by the thread of the Middle Way, each by each, one to
another accordingly. And the body of transition from relative to absolute is “go-tra-bhuu”
Dhammakaya. The very first state of the Dhammakaya. It is the ninth and tenth
altogether to be as one. (More details later on.)

And with the body of transition the gotrabhuu Dhammakaya (will be named from now on
“The Dhammakaya”) you can walk further into the track of Absolute Truth. It’s quite
difficult. It is hard to reach the state of Dhammakaya.

But it should literally be informed for further understanding. For it is said that
Dhammakaya is the whole Philosophy of Buddhism. Because Lord Buddha said that,
“Thatagata is The Dhammakaya, and, The Dhammakaya is Thatagata.” (Thatagata is
the name Lord Buddha called himself.)

THE DHAMMAKAYA

Dhammakaya are both the proper name and the proper state of mind that’s well polished
by practicing meditation. It is not the new theory or new theory of Buddhism and it is
neither new Buddhist sect nor school.

For the fact, it is the oldest word, one word that means the whole. Dhammakaya is one
word that could wrap both process and the essence of truth mentioned in Buddhism.
Dhammakaya is known by famous Buddhist scholars as it is the state of enlightenment,
the Body of Enlightenment, the Body of Dhamma or the Truth Body. And also is known
as the immortal body enriched by the Ultimate Truth of The Lord Buddha. It is the body of
non-defile. It is invisible by normal eyes but touchable and undeniable.

The word Dhammakaya is always in the oldest suttas. And also it is reported in the
history or legendary as the main principal of the earliest school of Buddhism such as
Theravada and Sarvastivada. Dhammakaya was also called “The Body of Wisdom” in
some suttas.

Why is Dhammakaya treasured as the whole meaning of Buddhism?

The answer is, with this state of enlightenment it stimulated Prince Sidhatta to enter the
higher truth. Because it is the body of transition, the only body that could knock the door
of Absolute Truth to widely open and welcome his entering. Then, step by step, through
the centre upon centre, worked out by the crystal mind, Prince Sidhatta had turned
himself Lord Buddha by entering the Supreme Truth that is higher than Arhat.(Arhat is
the highest state of Dhammakaya.)

Then, for the rest of his life until forever, he is at that topmost state. And Nibbana is his
final place after his passing away.

Nibbana is the place only for the immortal body of Lord Buddhas and Arhats.

As known by scholars, Dhammakaya is the body in condition of being Lord Buddha. It is

the body that changed Prince Sidhatta to The Lord Buddha. All are in two conditions, first
that man or Prince Sidhatta should wear the physical body of Maha-Purisa ( the 32 signs
of being great man) and second is to enter and be forever with the highest state of
Dhammakaya.

But the physical body of being a great man (with 32 marks of a Great Man) was with him
before his entering the Middle Way. So it was only The Dhammakaya that made him
change and turned him to be The Lord Buddha.

Then we can say that The Dhammakaya is the whole process and the essence of truth
mentioned in Buddhism.

Like Laung Pu said, to survive life in petals of peace and happiness is to be with in the
state of Dhammakaya, even with the very basic one.
“Dhammakaya” -- the Body of Wisdom -- that Laung Pu brought back to life again in the
world of living Buddhism.

WHERE IS THE EXISTENCE OF DHAMMAKAYA ?

According to the old suttas, they always say that the origin of life is pure and clean. And
every life in any physical form has a seed of Buddha planted inside. Every seed of
Buddha is waiting to spring out. The Tathagata Garbha is the name of the seed of
Buddha existing inside every life of any form. (Tathagata Garbha means ‘Buddha in the
Womb’ or the ‘Seed of Buddha’ inside the abdomen.) And don’t forget that Lord Buddha
called himself Tathagata.

And the Tathagata Garbha is The Dhammakaya or the Body of Enlightenment waiting
inside for the time of awakening.

Then the existence of Dhammakaya is inside our body. It is certainly at the centre of the
body.

So The Dhammakaya is always with us. It is the real nature of any life. We can say that
Dhammakaya is framed by our physical body and the body of relative truth (the body of
heavenly life). This truth was said in the philosophy of Borobudur, one of the most
famous Buddhist stupa of ancient Indonesia in the period of Sri-vijaya while Buddhist
civilization was on the highest there.

And it emphasizes that Dhammakaya exists inside our physical body.

All are confirmed again and again in Thailand by Luang Pu and his disciples.