Before we speak Dhamma to others!

June 2018 edition

Before we speak Dhamma to others!

Article summary

As there are loads of platforms available such as social media, television, radio, papers etc… etc… many likely to share Dhamma with others. Most of the time many of them are trying to become teachers to others and tries to teach Dhamma, instead of sharing Dhamma with others. Most of the time these action cause to trouble than peace. So, let’s find out what was Samma Sambuddha’s advice on speaking Dhamma to others.

Once Ven. Udayi, was sitting surrounded by a large assembly of householders, teaching the Dhamma, and noticed by Ven. Ananda.  Then Ven. Ananda was saying to Samma Sambuddha what he saw.  Then the blessed one said this;

"It's not easy to express the Dhamma to others, Ananda. The Dhamma should be express to others only when five qualities are established within the speaker who tries to express Dhamma to others. Which five?

  1. The Dhamma should be express / taught with the thought, 'I will speak step-by-step.'

  2. The Dhamma should be express / taught with the thought, 'I will explain the pure Dhamma'

  3. The Dhamma should be express / taught with the thought, 'I will speak out of compassion.'

  4. The Dhamma should be express / taught with the thought, 'I will speak not for the purpose of material reward.'

  5. The Dhamma should be express / taught with the thought, 'I will speak without hurting / harming myself or others.' ("hurting oneself" means exalting oneself. "Hurting others" means putting other people down)

"It's not easy to teach the Dhamma to others, Ananda. The Dhamma should be express / taught to others only when these five qualities are established within.”

When one is with pure realization of Dhamma these 5 will in action automatically.  Because the first thing they will realize is that Dhamma is not easy to express or taught to another being.  Because it’s a realization.  So, the person who has a compassionate heart understand the difficulties of explanation yet tries out with compassion to become a support to other beings. 

Because they realize how deep the Dhamma is they will always be careful with Dhamma when it comes to express to another being.  They will know the order of expressing the Dhamma to others, they will of course share the pure Dhamma which they have realized with compassion.  As they realize the Dhamma and they are aware with the defilements which can possibly arise anytime and they are so aware of them.  They are aware & mindful about their own self say they won’t trap to the benefits of material rewards or compliments or fame they can gain through Dhamma sharing.

As they are expressing the Dhamma with pure intention of compassion they are always aware about others feelings.  They are concern about others as well as own self.  So, it’s always harmless and ego-less with them. 

But in any terms if you feel like you are lack of these things, you should aware that you might not realize or touch the essence of pure Dhamma yet.  So, then of course you have to be very careful as there are possibilities of sharing duplicate versions of pure Dhamma knowingly or unknowingly.

So, best thing is first give more chances & more time on realizing & touching the essence of purest Dhamma. The more you realize the more you can express carefully & responsibly. 

Have a blessed time!

Rajitha Viduransi | Kelaniya, Sri Lanka