I met young Hemant Sehgal the other day, an ardent practitioner of vipassana meditation and a seeker who goes far and wide to seek. He was kind enough to give me three lectures by Sayagyi U Ba Khin on 'What Buddhism Is'. From those articles and lectures I found this interesting - Buddha on the highest welfare, among other things. Thanks Hemant.
The Buddha on the Highest Welfare:
"Avoidance of fools,
the company of the wise,
honor where honor is due -
this is the highest welfare.
A suitable place of abode,
the merit of good deeds,
right aspirations for oneself -
this is the highest welfare.
Great learning and skill,
well-mastered discipline,
well-spoken words -
this is the highest welfare.
Serving one's parents,
caring for spouse and children,
a peaceful occupation -
this is the highest welfare.
Generosity, a life of Dhamma,
caring for relatives,
blameless deeds -
this is the highest welfare.
Ceasing and shunning evil,
refraining from intoxicants,
vigilance in the Dhamma -
this is the highest welfare.
respectfulness, humility,
contentment, gratitude,
listening to the Dhamma at the proper time -
this is the highest welfare.
Forbearance, accepting guidance,
beholding saintly people,
discussion of the Dhamma at the proper time -
this is the highest welfare.
Ardent practice, a life of purity,
witnessing the Noble Truths,
experiencing nibbana -
this is the highest welfare.
When faced with the vicissitudes of life,
one's mind is unshaken,
sorrowless, stainless, secure -
this is the highest welfare.
Having acted in this way,
everywhere invincible,
they go everywhere safely,
this is the highest welfare."
(The Dhamma, the truth taught by the Buddha, is uncovered gradually through sustained practice. The Buddha made clear many times that Awakening does not occur like a bolt out of the blue to the untrained and unprepared mind. Rather, it culminates a long journey of many stages.
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/)
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