Meditation practitioners’ often want to experience the supernatural rather than the enlightenment simply because they think reaching Nirvana is impossible and they do not have enough merits. Focusing at the wrong target surely results in the wrong outcome and may lead to significant damage to the mind.

Kilesa or impurities always watch us on every move we make, whether we are doing, thinking or hoping foranything. Kilesa that mix in every breath know us all. It only depends on their power whether it’s strong enough to spin our heads or control us to act according to their desire. If a person is firm enough in his/her Dhamma to withstand such dark force, he/she will maintain mindfulness. If weak, he/she will be manipulated to act by the power of kilesa. Thus, there is always a fight between the dark force and good force in one’s mind. Even one with firm Dhamma can fail because although kilesa cannot have a full control, they will find ways to convince him/her. And, lacking a teacher who ultimately knows the truth, he/she will become the victim and the mind will be damaged.

That’s why Buddha preached Kalama Sutta so his followers canexamine themselves. He taught us not to believe in anything easily until it is proved and experienced by ourselves. According to this principle, one’s questioning must end once he reaches the self-realization. The teaching of Buddha answers everything, from the beginning to the end. Some people hold onto the Kalama Sutta infinitely, not believing even though they have proved by themselves. This is a deception of kilesa.

Those who have endless doubts and do not accept reasons and proven result are not considered wise but actually stupid for not knowing that they are lured by kilesa to lose their determination. Then they will become irresolute.They will not be persistent and cannot put their fullest efforts for their own progress. These people will not attain great success but will only be failures.

Therefore, those who can be instructed on the path to enlightenment can never be enlightened. It’s because they cannot pass through the tests, causing them stuck in this cycle of misery. Moreover, when they come to practice meditation with a wrong purpose, they will be led to bad karma as they insult, offend and have ungrateful mind toward their benefactor. By focusing on supernatural powers, their minds stray and do not realize the important virtue of a good person. With their focus on the wrong result, they become Dhamma practitioners who turn evil.

Individual experience is the ending point of Kalama Sutta, the discourse of Buddha on not to blindly believe in things without considering. Do not let your mind spiral down to the dark world that will lead you to the downfall, to sinful and bad deeds again. How hard it was to come to this point; the point where the mind is lifted up to be a truly good person, to be the one who can observe the Five Precepts, to bethe one who follows the Buddha’s teachings, to be the one who has cultivated true meritorious deeds and virtues, to be the one who repays the Buddha with gratitude andto be the source of goodness?

Remember that there is no sure thing in this world. Everything is impermanent, but Nirvana is permanent. Once you reach the destination, you will not have to struggle in this miserable cycle of rebirth eternally.

Master AcharavadeeWongsakon
Source: Selected from Words of Master “Before Reaching the End of the Path”, 27 November 2018

Quote
When you have proved by yourself that
Dhamma practice is the path that leads you to true virtue,
be resolute to walk the path.
Do not let your mind spiral down to the dark world,
that will lead you to the downfall,to sinful and bad deeds again…
Remember that there is no sure thing in this world.
Everything is impermanent, but Nirvana is permanent.
Once you reach the destination,
you will not have to struggle in this miserable cycle of rebirth eternally.

Translators: WisuwatSutthakorn, Siriporn Kuprasertsin, Hataichanok Baker, KanakwanRachatanunthawich