Transcript

| | TEDxBangkok

[Song] Are you afraid of monks? Okay, as I've already suggested, the picture... What you're seeing here is a package, right? Does this look familiar? This is my hometown. The monk is currently residing in Khon Kaen. Well, but actually, my hometown, 40 years ago, the images we used to see... I saw a four-story shophouse in the area... There's a shop there, by the way. This is my hometown, in this area. For over 40 years, I've witnessed the... A lot has changed from the third floor. Before, it used to be around the front area. Before Skywalk existed, before the intersection existed. Pathumwan was a roundabout before it was built. MBK Center, Siam Discovery, and things like that are all around here. I've passed by them too. Uh, I've seen protests and quarrels. We've witnessed many changes, including upward trends. Well, the area is in decline, you know. I'm going to talk about life. Many people probably ask me, "Brother, you've become a monk." " What are you suffering from?" the senior monk asked. What are you looking for? Are you looking for yourself? Will you find it? Now, please go home. Your family has forgiven you. Now, I would like to talk about my own life. Just to add, after more than 40 years, I'm quite satisfied with myself to a good degree. Okay, in terms of education, Venerable Monk... I received good educational opportunities in the field of work. The monk doesn't know what more he can ask for. That's more than I've already achieved, on my part. This monk's family includes his father and mother. And then there's the family that the monk thinks is good. That's as far as I can think of, I can't. You're boasting, but some people might be better than the monk. He's younger than a monk, but comes from a good family and is well-educated. Life is good, health, everything – work, friends. The collaboration went well to the point that the monk was satisfied; there were questions. It depends on whether we've ever eaten until we were completely full before. But have you ever felt like you weren't full? It's filling, but it's not quite satisfying; it feels like... There's something, I think, that I'm kind of like a missing peace wandering around. We keep searching, but we don't know what we're looking for. We live, but we know we're not satisfied; life must go on. What's more, a good job and awards within the industry? The advertising date that the monk came up with was... As a strategist and creative working for, uh, the Venerable Monk, I've received both awards and clinching credits, especially on the day the Venerable Monk met me. It's a big point that success is actually quite empty. The day the monk found you, you were looking down from up there. The monk found that there was nothing there at all, but... " Brother, look to the side, in the same area, in the neighborhood." That's exactly what the monks are doing. The work of giving birth is underway today, Your Majesty. I'm injured, and as for your father, the Venerable Monk... The black and white photo means my father has passed away. It asks the question: during the time that the monk... I was born, and as an old monk, I have seen suffering. The death not only affected the monk's family but everyone. They went to every family, and the monk discovered that... I'm not full, something's missing. Knowing that might be the only question. I'm the same as many of my fellow monks who are well-off. Drive here and come to my house to see the monk. It means our Lord Buddha has everything except happiness. And then there were many others, including monks who went to see him. " Brother, you've arrived in Khon Kaen. Brother, please help me. I can't find myself. That's the reason why you're here, Brother." Please take the time. In the last 10 years or so, I dedicated about 3-4 months a year to... During his spiritual practice, the monk realized that he believed in the Buddha. I believe you, Venerable Monk, will find yourself in that situation. Practicing meditation somewhere, it turns out it's not what it seems. I see, but luckily things went well during the process. This job, I just travel around a lot, Venerable Monk. My brother even went to another country, you know. The monk is practicing meditation in France. Due to language limitations, the monk may be somewhat incomplete. I don't understand much about Pali, Luang. I'm doing everything to find something, like an X Factor that I, the monk, am unaware of. No matter where, the monk's life isn't complete. It turns out it was some kind of good fortune that made it happen. The monk went to work in Khon Kaen. Because of my habit of offering food to monks and making merit, some younger people told me that... Let's offer alms to the monks at this temple. This is the picture. These are the teachers and mentors of Luang Phi, Venerable Master. My name is Samran Thammathulo, I live in Khon Kaen. Regarding the question about Luang Pho Kluay, which the monk encountered... Okay, after I, the monk, spent almost 10 years practicing Dharma... " Walking meditation, sitting meditation, and all that," the Venerable Monk asked. They say the young men eat rice. The monk knew he was being subjected to something, because if he couldn't eat properly, he wouldn't be himself. My older sibling wasn't this big, right? The Venerable Teacher then asked the senior monk another question. The monk bowed to him and said, "I'm not sure." " Yes, I'm wondering if my child is eating rice properly, Venerable Monk." "Venerable Father, could you please teach me something?" He asked about the time it takes to put things in your mouth to eat. Are you eating because your body is hungry or because your heart desires it, Venerable Monk? " I'm starting now, Venerable Sir. I understand, Venerable Sir." Something happened, Venerable Monk, and he discovered that it consisted of two components. Sometimes, the Venerable Monk is also affected. Sometimes when I'm hungry, I crave things, I know that, Venerable Sir. It involves both physical and mental factors that have an impact. It affects your own body, he said. Stay with him for about 6 weeks, and then... "Go wherever you want, Venerable Monk. I think that's a phrase." That's the most polite invitation I can give, Venerable Sir. Yes, I went, but I didn't go with any ulterior motive. I'm back, Venerable Monk, to clear everything up for myself. After that, you can go wherever you want, Venerable Monk. Okay, this is what the temple that the monk visited looks like. Do you think she's pretty? Is she beautiful? Yes or No? Do you think so, Venerable Monk? It was beautiful on the day the monk came to clean. I cleaned the house myself, but I think it's very messy, Venerable Monk. My brother doesn't like rubbing the ears of monks; he doesn't want to do it. Clean up a lot, see? See that? The voice of the heart that creates problems is something someone has pointed out. Many people have seen the same image and feel that... Wow, your house is so beautiful! Why is the prayer room so big? This place has many temples and pavilions, and there are 13-14 monks all over the temple because of their piety. " Father, I understand your patience and endurance." Is that right, Venerable Monk? You're from the village of Phram, aren't you? There are only gardens in France, and that's about it. Therefore, all you see is forest and mountains. The monk got dizzy from seeing so much cement. And maybe we've all had those feelings before, right? What are all those buildings being constructed for? Why are there so many monks? That's a question. That's the voice calling out, screaming in every heart. Even though we love the Venerable Monk, this is just a small example from the many others. There are 120 rai (approximately 48 acres) of land here, and this is... My favorite thing, Venerable Monk, is translating books. Since this is a riverside pavilion, it's a bit better. However, when there are many buildings, There must be someone like the monk nearby who does the construction work. Was that a construction worker's scream? Luckily, there was one command that... The abbot taught the senior monk that it should be considered a special welcome. When welcoming a new child, say, "My child, if the place you're living..." As long as the child is happy, that's good enough. If your child is in an unhappy place and still... Where in this world can one find peace of mind that would cause their child suffering? Therefore, I, the monk, think about it; it makes me suffer. Are you suffering? The monk has everything you need. I do n't like it, but I will stay here with a sincere heart. You must not grade the singing, and you're very lucky to be here. Everything that the monk dislikes. Okay, here's one that the monk likes. And there were rabbits and chickens, and the monk didn't want to stay there. Does the zoo understand? But it would mean something to some people if we stopped. Just a little bit while we're taking care of ourselves. I went here to get my hair cut and styled here. Where children smile and laugh at the Buddha statues. Many places are where people are feeling hopeless and exhausted. He came here drunk, begging for encouragement. Do you understand, Venerable Monk? It's something as narrow- minded of ours that causes it. We are troubled by the divisive decision, divided into left and right, Your Excellency. Keep practicing, brother, while you're with the rabbits. Chicken, and the thing the monk hates the most because... The monk loves dogs; the monk hates cats. Okay, so this cat is the one that lives in front of the monk's dwelling, sir. Therefore, the art of being happy is... Being around a cat without screaming. You see, the monk has to go on alms rounds even though he's a monk. My older brother has money, and he doesn't want to beg from anyone. But going out every day is asking for something. What the monk gained was the ability to set aside his pride and dignity. Sri is a beautiful name derived from the word "ego". This makes the monk have to get ready when he brings the rice. I'll take the sticky rice with the food that the monk is making. As a vegetarian, you have to eat only what's available, just enough to make a living. That's when you lose your dignity, Venerable Sir. It was discovered that the monk's eyes had also passed away due to work-related matters. What the monk received before is special today. The monk became an unskilled construction worker. He went from being a communications specialist to a monk who hates children. The monk was assigned to take care of a number of children. Much of the time has been very difficult for clients to schedule appointments. The kid ran away when the monk arrived. The child ran away; the child didn't want to listen, Venerable Monk. I was invited to be a guest lecturer; the senior monk must build it. Many monks, while thinking that they have enough, are in a situation that will help them to have... The most reassuring thing is the final image, knowing "Okay, that's it." We endure and try to understand, but ultimately, we all die. Okay, Venerable Monk, please take the children to collect various things. I'm taking the kids to do construction work, and I'm taking autistic kids to do gardening. The only rule is that my heart must not be... Screaming, do you understand? Therefore, this is what makes the monk who he is. The biggest problem isn't these tasks, but... Screaming Have you ever suddenly found yourself unable to find yourself? The obstacle that prevents us from finding ourselves is this: This is the sound of our screaming. This is what made the monk scream the most: the child who was going to be ordained as a novice monk, and the temple cat. My brother is in there. At its peak, the monk was taking care of 48 novices. If the monk were to step back a little and be content with what he had... This is my living quarters, Venerable Sir. Fortunately, this is a teaching from the abbot to the senior monk. "I'm staying here. Inside the monk's cell, there are four pictures on the wall. They say 'Happy Day of Letting Go.' Letting go of what? 'Letting go of what,' you ask? 'I ca n't stay here, I've been here for three years. If I scream every day, I'll have to...'" You're definitely going to die. Let go of everything. Let go of... It's our narrow-mindedness that causes us to let go of our dissatisfaction. Be content with a critical and judgmental nature; let go of all obstacles. That helps us find ourselves. Nothing at all is disturbing our peace. It's like a thought; there's nothing that makes it happen. We hurt others as much as we hurt their opinions. Therefore, the monk knows these things because... There's another teacher of the monk's who's making a "shhh" picture. That is a painting by Venerable Thich Nahhan, a request. Even if it's quiet on the outside and stops complaining, be quiet inside. Stop complaining. The beast does and knows, which means being calm and acknowledging, but not giving in or agreeing with them. Now that you know, keep quiet about it. Therefore... Letting go means not clinging to or squeezing your thoughts. In our opinion, based on these factors... This is what the monk is surrounded by. When will you, Venerable Monk, allow your thoughts to be free? From my reflection, I realize I have discovered something. The new thing is myself. I don't know when it started, but I love you. Creating a Buddha image that loves cats and loves being with them. Kids don't love like that; they survive because of us. The monk lives for the benefit of others, but lives for reason. And the monk wasn't acting out of emotion because... So whatever is useful, the monk does it. And this is what changed the life of the monk. Brother Gleang stopped judging and gave up on his desires. Live life with reason today, Venerable Monk. Yes, he only takes care of children, but the monk is also friendly with... The child is on the wheels of a wheelchair, no. Today, as an ordinary child, the monk is very happy. Once the monk's mind stops judging... The monk understands himself; the monk is beginning to understand. In every life, the monk became a good friend to... These are homes for autistic children, and these are the homes... This is also a house run by a Christian foundation. Yes, Venerable Monk, you are friendly and understanding of those who see you. I did n't see the monk start doing anything. Nana's photos include the last one, where the monk is with... The family of, uh, the person who passed away. The monk is a volunteer caring for terminally ill patients. Finally, if you have the chance, please visit the royal patients. Do you know what I want to tell you that made me... The monk not finding himself is what is called... That idea... that thought... completely disrupts the peace, Venerable Monk. So, whenever we let go of the urge... Think about it, and you'll find that you've discovered yourself in... When things are peaceful, we will find... The reality of life is that we are nothing anymore. We are ready to be anything we see as useful. If today we can't find ourselves, we should remain silent. A little bit of my own stuff here and there. Be present with emptiness, and you will become who you are. The world needs us for our benefit. Blessings to all. [Applause] [Song]