Good on ya Dawson, I already agree with your statement.
By the way, I also smoked when I was young and even saved up matches.
I would ask these questions; “What level does he think he has reached on the 8-fold path?” To make a statement like that.
So he would have to have understood the true nature of “Pancakkhandha” as Anicca, Dukkha, Anatta and be a “Bhikkhu” who does NOT adhere to Pancakkhanda with the SANs to enjoy worldly pleasures.
He would now have to have the ability to distinguish the conventional truth of this world from the absolute truth, and that has nothing to do with the middle path! Because that would be just as nonsensical as viewing “ANICCA” as transitory.<br /><br />
The tendencies (Kilesas) must be recognized in order to free the confused mind. The tendency of a “Puthujjano” is to perceive “pancakkhandha” as icca, sukha, and atta…
