Hoa Vo Uu (Buddha Dharma Education Association)
Venerable Shravasti Dhammika
The Buddha’s Words of Wisdom
The Brãhmin Unnãbha asked Venerale Ãnanda: “What is the aim of living the holy life under the recluse Gotama?”
“It is for the sake of a abandoning desire.”
“Is there a way, a practice by which to abandon this desire?” There is a way – It is by means of the psychic powers of desire, energy, thought and consideration together with concentration and effort.”
“If that is so, Venerable Ãnanda, then it is a task without end. Because to get rid of one desire by means of another is impossible.”
“Then I will ask you a question; answer as you like. Before, did you not have the desire, the energy, the thought and consideration to come to this park? And having arrived, did not that desire, that energy, that though and that consideration cease?”
“Yes, it did.”
“Well, for one who has destroyed the defilements, once he has won enlightenment, that desire, that energy, that thought and that consideration he had for enlightenment has now ceased.”
