Reply To: Convincing Pet Lovers

#50203
Jittananto
Participant

I think Pathfinder is referring to the characteristics of this sutta. He is right to want to try to convince others of the benefits of the Dhamma.

WHO IS A LAY BUDDHIST DISCIPLE? MAHĀNĀMA SUTTA

“In what way, Venerable Sir, a lay disciple practises for his welfare but not for the welfare of others?”

“Mahānāma,

When a Buddhist disciple is himself accomplished in faith but does not encourage others to accomplish faith;

when he is himself accomplished in morally virtuous behaviour but does not encourage others to accomplish morally virtuous behaviour;

when he is himself accomplished in generosity but does not encourage others to accomplish generosity;

when he has the desire to see the monks, but does not encourage others to see them monks;

when he has the desire to listen to true Dhamma, but does not encourage others to listen to true Dhamma;

when he remembers the Dhamma he has heard but does not encourage others to remember the Dhamma that they have heard;

when he investigates the meaning of the Dhamma that he has remembered, but does not encourage others to investigate the meaning of the Dhamma;

when he has understood the Dhamma, understood its meaning, and practises by the Dhamma, but does not encourage others to understand the Dhamma, to understand its meaning and to practise by the Dhamma.

“In what way, Venerable Sir, a lay disciple practises for his welfare and the welfare of others?”

“Mahānāma,

When a Buddhist disciple is himself accomplished in faith, and encourages others to accomplish faith;

when he is himself accomplished in morally virtuous behaviour and encourages others to accomplish morally virtuous behaviour;

when he is himself accomplished in generosity and encourages others to accomplish generosity;

when he has the desire to see the monks and encourages others to see the monks;

when he has the desire to listen to true Dhamma and encourages others to listen to true Dhamma;

when he remembers the Dhamma he has heard and encourages others to remember the Dhamma they have heard;

when he investigates the meaning of the Dhamma that he has remembered and encourages others to investigate the meaning of the Dhamma;

when he has understood the Dhamma, understood its meaning, and practises by the Dhamma and encourages others to understand the Dhamma, understand its meaning and practise in aby Dhamma.

However, the others also have a point which is supported by the story of Cunda the butcher.

  • Cunda had been a butcher for 55 years. Although he lived close to Lord Gautama Buddha, he never wanted to listen to the Dhamma and no one wanted to teach it either. The commentaries say that the reason was that Lord Buddha saw that he did not have enough Paramis and Kusulas to understand the Dhamma. If Lord Buddha taught it Cunda would insult him and it would be a big akusalas which would block his understanding in a future life. Unfortunately, right now he is in the underworld because of his destructive profession. Lord Buddha ignored it all these years. People don’t like it when people criticize their way of life, whether it’s immoral or not. They express psychological resistance. They say “Why change?” “I have always lived like this, nothing has happened to me.” “We only have one life, we might as well make the most of it.” They don’t realize it until it’s too late. Living well for 55 years before falling into the worst hell nirayas; Avici. The first thing they will do is find flaws in your argument before even trying to understand the deeper points. Getting out of the comfort zone is hard. It’s up to you to see Pathfinder if you can teach friends or loved ones open enough to at least understand the basics of the Dhamma. We must not forget that it is only a Lord Buddha who knows perfectly who to teach.
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