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LEAD ARTICLE | EASTERN HORIZON 7

Conducting a meditation retreat for members of the Royal Malaysian Police Buddhist Group at Mitraville, Mersilau, Sabah in
October 2018

and Paññā (Wisdom). The Buddha would instruct in maṅgala Sutta provides guidelines with regards to the
such a manner so that these mental faculties were well values which one should cultivate at different stages
balanced in order to facilitate practice and realization. of one’s life, which become the source of life’s highest
Most Dhamma teachers do not possess such skills. blessings.
However, there are still some living masters who are
able to transmit Dhamma according to an individual’s There are also various other suttas or discourses that
development. Where mind to mind transmission occurs, provide guidelines for those involved in promoting
then there is very little need for study. peaceful coexistence in society or the community
(DIII,266 290), as well as for those contributing towards
The amount of study that is required for one to the progress of the nation, such as what is laid out in the
commence with the practice depends on the individual’s Satta Aparihāniya Dhamma, as well as the 10 qualities
development and the affinity that they have towards the of a righteous king or ruler, Raja Dhamma, and the
Buddha, Dhamma and Saṅgha. duties of a supreme ruler or universal monarch found in
the Cakkavatti-Sīhanāda Sutta, DN 26.
Authentic masters usually would not encourage their
students to read too much. They would advice them All these Lokiya Dhamma, or teachings at the mundane
to study a little and practice the little that one knows. or worldly level, aim at establishing peace and
Sometimes we just need to study the instructions well harmony externally at different levels, starting from
enough to put them into practice. the individual and progressing to the family, society or
community, nation and the world.
Listening to Dhamma talks, reading books and study
through Internet etc. will provide some conceptual Peace, harmony and stability at the external level are
understanding. But in order to realize the truth we need important as they provide the necessary conditions
to go beyond concepts. Real ‘study’ of Dhamma involves for one to practice the supramundane teachings,
insightful contemplation, reflection, and meditation. or Lokuttara Dhamma, in order to attain ultimate
For example, to study the meaning of the term Dukkha liberation transcending all worldly existence.
or suffering, we need to look at how others suffer. Then