LuongTa Chanhphy Manivong
Dharma Message on his 72nd Birthday Anniversary
To all Dharma Aspirants
Today is the 21st March 1993 which is coincided with my birth anniversary, and on this occasion I would like to take this opportunity to talk to you here at the Buddhist Discussion Centre, Upwey, Melbourne where a number of Lao, Australian as well as some other nationalities are gathered, about Dharma so that you can understand more about Dharma and Dharma practice.
In Pali language, the word `PUT is PUTTANUSATI’ which means `Understanding and Be Aware of Oneself’. This is neither difficult nor easy. There is no time limit. It means that it is not too fast or to slow for anyone to practice. Men, women, boys, girls can all practice Dharma anywhere at their own place. But the most important factor is that one must understand and one must start inside one’s own physical body first. If we look for Dharma outside our physical body, we will never be able to find Dharma that we are looking for.
This is the right time for all of you to start Dharma practice. If we start good today, it will be good tomorrow and it will be good for the future. For example, if we are not sick today or have no problems, tomorrow we are ready to go to work - Good Job-Good Money-Good education. Similarly for our children who are our religion’s asset, if they are not addicted to any harmful drugs, or gambling, not skipping school, but on the contrary if they do well at school, they will have good future, good job and good money. This is Dharma. Dharma is Nature. Nature is Reality. If all of you understand Dharma and know Dharma, all will be easy. Everything will be peaceful and happy. Like I said earlier Dharma is not hard to understand, but it is not easy either. But we must learn and practice ourselves. Nobody can do it for us.
Dharma has two ways. The Right Way and The Wrong Way. The Right Way is the Good Way whereas The Wrong Way is the Bad Way. This depends on the individuals to select whichever way they prefer. They make their own decision. Nobody can decide for them.
The word `PUTTANUSATI’ means that we have to be aware of ourselves at own time. Be aware in your own heart at present before speaking, thinking, and doing. This is BUDDHO. BUD is Lord Buddha’s blessing. Lord Buddha is the Enlightened One, the Wakened One. This is again `PUTTANUSATI’
Finally, with the power and the blessing of the Triple Gems, I wish you to be happy and be successful in what you are looking for.
LuongTa Chanphy Panyano Manivong