I would like to pay most humble respect to our Lord Buddha before compiling the present volume of Abhidhamma Seven Mantra which is the original of all mantra of Lao Language so that it will be kept with our Lao Buddhist monks.
The Pali words ‘Kusala Dharma and Akusala Dharma’, literally and generally, it means Good Dharma and Bad Dharma. The Pali word ‘A’ by itself literally and generally means ‘Do not have or No Good’. For example, in the Buddha Abhidhamma Volume, the Pali word ‘Asankhara’ it means ‘has no body’ because the body was formed as a result of its creation and at the end it will disappear. This is why we obtain the word ‘Asankhara’ which has no body and once it passes away it cannot be found. In the Abhidhamma Volume it is said in Pali as :
‘Upadhavaya Dhammino Upasiddhava
Nirusandhi Dhesangvupasamosukho’
We, human beings have been born as a result of our creation. At the end, we will disappear. What will remain is Kusala Dhamma which is Good Dharma. Although our Lord Buddha passed away for over 2540 years ago, his Kusala Dharma and his Teachings will remain forever.
We tend to understand that when a person dies, everything will disappear and nothing will remain. This is true, but it is not true in its true sense. In fact, only our Sankhara (physical body), Nama (Name) disappear, but some of the good things we have done in our life will remain. The good things we have done will be praised while the bad things we have done will be condemned and gossiped. This is clearly written in the Abhidhamma Volume which reminds us of the truth. This part of the Abhidhamma is usually chanted by monks when someone passes away so that all those who are still alive may consider and realise that all the Sankhara do not belong to anyone. If we do not examine it properly, we might be afraid and misunderstand that what the monks are chanting is meant for the dead. How can a dead person listen to the Sanga’s chanting.
If we want to know more, we should reason everything intelligently and keep reading the present volume of Abhidhamma and then we will see the truth. The present Volume of Abhidhamma is in two parts. The 1st part is an explanation together with examples of my Dharma tours internationally whereas the 2nd part is in Pali.
With regards to my Dharma tours either in Australia or overseas, it was Mr. Sakcsith Vongtongtip who has kept all the records both in Lao and then translated into English. I have compiled this book and will be distributed to every families in the world residing in 17 countries who had supported during my Dharma tours. I strongly hope that this book will be most useful for Lao, Thai, Khmer and Vietnamese Buddhamamaka and other nationalities as well. On this occasion, I would like to wish Mr. Sakcsith Vongtongtip, every donor families and those who have been involved in the printing of the present volume to be happy and free from sufferings. Sadhu Anumodhami.
LuongTa Chanhphy Panyano Manivong
21 March 1997