Earning merit with our mouths (dhammadāna) brings more goodness than earning with stuff (vatthudāna). Most people, however, are unable to do dhammadāna because they are bursting with dukkha. Because they live in a greater darkness than if there were blind, they cannot talk about quenching dukkha. Such people can only discuss drowning in the world, which isn’t dhammadāna for the sake of minds living above the world even though our bodies are still in the world. May everyone ascend to a higher level of giving so that it is dhammadāna level, the gift of Dhamma.

Dhammadāna, Dhamma giving, gift of Dhamma, e.g., through teaching
Vatthudāna, material giving, material gifts

– Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu –

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From “MAY WE LEAVE THIS LEGACY WITH YOU,” translated from the Thai by Santikaro. 

SECTION II: Spiritual & Intellectual Legacies

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Foreword

I have no inheritance to leave behind for Buddhist friends, my comrades in birth, aging, illness, and death, except for what is spelled out in the following statements. My hope is that for however long these legacies are passed along the activity of Suan Mokkhabalārāma will continue and ‘Buddhadāsa’ will remain in that place for that long.

Please receive these legacies in your contemplation from this very moment which will create ease in passing them further along.

May you accept them as a Dhamma inheritance for all Dhamma Comrades who have offered body and life in service to the Buddha’s Dispensation for the benefit of human beings throughout the world without the least personal consideration.

Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu

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Translator’s Note

For his 80th ‘Age Teasing Day’ (birthday), Tan Ajahn prepared a souvenir book of Dhamma photos, proverbs, sayings, riddles, and legacies for his students.

One of the six sections was about the legacies he wished to leave behind. They comprise a concise summary of the main points of his teaching, beginning with certain practical matters (Section I) and ending with more abstract or spiritual legacies (Section II).

Santikaro