We must always be careful not to ... - Dhamma by Ajahn Jayasāro


We must always be careful not to allow the joy that arises from listening to and reading the Dhamma to fool us into thinking that we know more than we actually do. The knowledge that comes from listening and reading is still quite superficial. It doesn't have the power to uproot the defilements that are so deeply embedded in our minds.

Ajahn Chā once said that many students of Buddhism are like ants that crawl around on the outside of a mango, without actually ever tasting the juice inside it. Having studied the teachings we must learn to apply them in our lives. They should be looked upon as a map for practice or a recipe. The vital thing is that we don't just collect teachings but make use of them on the path to liberation.

We must always be careful not to

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