‘Beauty is in the corpse, goodness is in giving up, the monk is in truth, Nibbāna is in dying before death.’ We have knocked the dust off of and recycled this antique saying in order to preserve the intelligence of our ancestors, to show how sharp, direct, and profound their understanding was. Further, so that their children and grandchildren will have no less intelligence than our ancestors, and will fully live up the meaning of being ‘Buddhist,’ by not locking away Nibbāna so that they must die over and over for thousands and millions of lives before getting any results. Please help to preserve this legacy of our ancestors.

– Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu –

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

SECTION I: Legacy in the context of material and ceremonial matters

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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