Messages of Truth from Suan Mokkh is a collection of Than Achan Buddhadāsa’s writings that deserve attention from Buddhists and other people of the world. These writings were first published in form of pamphlets for distribution during the Buddhadhamma-Buddhadāsa Week, May 22 – 28, 1988, at Chulalongkorn University. They were later republished several times in a book form. Later on, The Dhamma Study & Practice Group was advised by the Than Achan to have them translated into English so that they can be distributed more widely among foreigners, for they are like a present produced from the wisdom of Thai Buddhist writer and translators, and thus benefiting the world. Since 1990 is the year of the Than Achan’s 84th birthday anniversary, then, to commemorate the auspicious occasion, The Dhamma Study & Practice Group publishes Messages of Truth from Suan Mokkh once again by putting the Thai original and the English translation together. This is for dual study and for practice in a wider scope.

Messages of Truth from Suan Mokkh consists of six writings which are all important and absolutely essential. They are:

1. Help! The Kalamasutta, Help! In this writing, the Than Achan indicates criteria for a Buddhist’s decision to believe or disbelieve a statement. The criteria will prevent mistake, absurdity, and lack of intellectual freedom in study and practice of dhamma. The Kalamasutta is one of the important hallmarks of Buddhism and is so valuable that the Than Achan calls it a “diamond in the Tripitaka,” for it helps eliminate problems and preserve the truth and the essence of the Buddha’s teachings.
2. Kamma in Buddhism indicates the kind of kamma that, leads to the end of all kammas and complete extinction of sufferings. This constitutes a unique teaching that differentiates Buddhism from India’s other ancient doctrines. It is the teaching on kamma that is truly benefiting. It neither is a wrong view nor impairs development of human potentiality.
3. Nibbana for Everyone points out the ultimate goal for humanity, that is, calmness and coolness as a result of freedom from defilements and sufferings-the state that can be experienced in the present life, here and now, without having to wait until after death, which neither is benefiting nor encourages practice of dhamma. This particular writing is, therefore, extremely interesting.
4. A Single Solution for All of the World Problems is summarization of the teachings that constitute the hearts of all religions and can help solve all problems at the grassroots level. The single solution is elimination of selfishness, which is the breeding ground for craving, arrogance, opinionatedness, greed, anger, delusion, etc. In this writing, the author exemplifies a Thai traditional training for lessening selfishness and points out that Thai Buddhist monasteries were universities for training in unselfishness. This, among other things, helps us see a social life of the Thai people in the past.
5. Comments on Education Since education plays an important part in creating or solving man’s problems, by helping a person develop a right or wrong view that leads to his desirable or undesirable behaviors and makes a complete or deficient human being out of him, then it has to be critiqued from the religious standpoint. This will lead to improvement on what is wrong and promotion of what is right. Education is another important issue that followers of Buddhism must pay attention to, for dhamma practice in Buddhism is none other than study, training, and development of individuals.
6. Let’s Become A Buddhadāsa This final writing of the collection proposes a way to lead one’s life and to work for the religion and the society-another matter that deserves consideration. The Than Achan indicates that all of us can and should become Buddhadāsas. This gives confidence and encouragement to all of the readers in their choosing the best possible way to follow—the one the Than Achan has been preaching and practicing as a precedent all along.

All of the writings cover important issues which we Buddhists and other people of the world should pay the utmost attention to. In so doing, we can attain the truth and goodness that the Than Achan himself has proved and witnessed through practice and describes to us. We are asked to consider following the “truth” that can always endure the test and help extinguish sufferings for all times.

The translators and the publishers of Messages of Truth from Suan Mokkh humbly dedicate this work as a tribute to the Than Achan’s extreme graciousness. May the noble Buddhadhamma succeed in solving problems, leading to true world peace that stays forever along with the Buddha’s noble religion.

With best wishes *

The Dhamma Study & Practice Group

(Foreword)

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