Four Things that Lead to the Continuation of the Wholesome Teachings

There are, Monks, these four things that lead to the continuation, non-decline, and non-disappearance of the wholesome Teachings.

What four?

(1) Here, the Monks learn discourses that have been well acquired, with well set down words and phrases. When the words and phrases are well set down, the meaning is well understood.

This is the first thing that leads to the continuation, non-decline, and non-disappearance of the wholesome Teachings.

(2) Again, the Monks are easy to correct and possess qualities that make them easy to correct. They are patient and accept instruction respectfully.

This is the second thing that leads to the continuation, non-decline, and non-disappearance of the wholesome Teachings.

(3) Again, those Monks who are learned, heirs to the heritage, experts on The Teachings, experts on the discipline, experts on the outlines, respectfully teach the discourses to others. When they have passed away, the discourses are not cut off at the root for there are those who preserve them.

This is the third thing that leads to the continuation, non-decline, and non-disappearance of the wholesome Teachings.

(4) Again, the elder Monks are not luxurious and complacent, but they discard backsliding and take the lead in solitude; they arouse energy for the attainment of the as-yet-unattained, for the achievement of the as-yet-unachieved, for the realization of the as-yet-unrealized. (Those in) the next generation follow their example. They, too, do not become luxurious and complacent, but they discard backsliding and take the lead in solitude; they, too, arouse energy for the attainment of the as-yet-unattained, for the achievement of the as-yet-unachieved, for the realization of the as-yet-unrealized.

This is the fourth thing that leads to the continuation, non-decline, and non-disappearance of the wholesome Teachings.

These, Monks, are the four things that lead to the continuation, non-decline, and non-disappearance of the wholesome Teachings.

(Reference: AN 4.160)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares how to maintain the wisdom of his Teachings in the world for the benefit of all beings. Gotama Buddha knew his Teachings were subject to The Universal Truth of Impermanence which means they would gradually decline over time.

This Teaching explains his guidance on how to maintain the continuation of his Teachings so that they could remain vibrant for a longer period of time.

(1) First, he explains that Students should learn his Teachings through accurate words and phrases with the meaning well understood. Through learning and then sharing these Teachings with accurate and precise wording, a Practitioner will come to understand and practice The Teachings more closely and then experience the results of an Enlightened mind. Then, having attained Enlightenment, Students would be able to share these Teachings with accurate and precise wording that will help the next generation to learn, reflect, and practice these Teachings to experience the results of an Enlightened mind.

(2) Second, Students understand that in order to learn, reflect, and practice these Teachings to experience the results of an Enlightened mind, they will need instruction and guidance from Teachers. Teachers will need to correct Students when they are misunderstanding The Teachings and guide them to a deeper understanding and better practice of these Teachings.

Students will need to be patient and respectfully accept instruction from Teachers. Teachers are sharing these Teachings with loving-kindness and compassion to help their Students. They should not expect or ask for anything in return. Students will need to support their Teachers through offerings of support, but, a Teacher should not expect or ask for anything from their Students while sharing these Teachings.

As a result, there is no inherit benefit for the Teacher to share these Teachings other than to help others out of loving-kindness and compassion. If a Student was impatient, disrespectful, or not easy to correct, it could be predicted that the Teacher may no longer be interested in sharing these Teachings with the Student.

So to maintain “the continuation, non-decline, and non-disappearance of the wholesome Teachings” Students would need to have Teachers who are willing to teach them and through patience, respect, and being easy to correct, then, Teachers will continue to be interested and pleased to share The Teachings with the Students.

(3) Third, not only is it important for Students to be patient and respectful with Teachers but it is also important for the Teachers to be patient and respectful with the Students. It is a real challenge for an unEnlightened mind to learn and practice these Teachings to produce the results of the Enlightened mind. Through a Teacher learning and practicing these Teachings deeply, they are not only helping the Students learn through their verbal instruction, but also, through their actions they are constantly Teaching providing an example as a role model of how to practice these Teachings.

Through a Teacher taking time to actively learn from elders becoming experts on The Teachings and training guidelines when they pass away, these Teachings can continue with well educated Students who preserve The Teachings. In this way, “the discourses are not cut off at the root for there are those who preserve them” because Students will have excellent role models of not only how to practice these Teachings but how to also share them respectfully with new Students.

New Teachers will share these Teachings in the same way that these Teachings were shared with them. Through having role models, new Teachers will be able to continue to share these Teachings with the new generation once they have mastered the wisdom of these Teachings.

(4) Fourth, Teachers are not “luxurious and complacent” but instead view regression and decline of their own practice (i.e. backsliding) unfavorably. Instead, they remain determined, dedicated, and diligent in their own practice and sharing of these Teachings taking the lead in solitude.

Through taking time to be alone in solitude, a Practitioner discovers any arising cravings/desires/attachments that are produced in the mind so that once identified, they can be eliminated. If Teachers are not choosing to experience solitude, then they will not uncover or discover any hidden arising cravings/desires/attachments. Through these efforts and applying energy, as described in the Enlightenment factor of Energy, a Teacher can experience the “attainment of the as-yet-unattained, for the achievement of the as-yet-unachieved, for the realization of the as-yet-unrealized”.

In this way, they will experience progress on The Path to Enlightenment to attain that which they have not yet attained, achieve that which they have not yet achieved, and realize that which they have not yet realized.

In doing so, the Teacher’s Students also practice in the same way. They too will not be “luxurious and complacent” but instead view regression and decline of their own practice (i.e. backsliding) unfavorably. Instead, they remain determined, dedicated, and diligent in their own practice and sharing of these Teachings taking the lead in solitude while being able to attain that which they have not yet attained, achieve that which they have not yet achieved, and realize that which they have not yet realized.

“These are the four things that lead to the continuation, non-decline, and non-disappearance of the wholesome Teachings” shared by Gotama Buddha.

Why Do The Teachings of The Buddha Flourish in Asia?

One of the major reasons we see The Buddha’s Teachings flourishing in Asia is due to the high degree of appreciation, gratitude, support, and respect that is given to individuals who choose to share The Teachings of The Buddha.

In order for The Teachings of The Buddha to flourish in the West and all other parts of the world, we will need to look to Asia as a role model for these Teachings to be able to become established and flourish.

Those who choose to share The Teachings of The Buddha, and are doing so in the way that The Buddha taught, have no expectations of their Students. There is nothing that they want from their Students. Instead, the Teachers who share these Teachings are only doing so out of loving-kindness and compassion for others. Teachers are the guiding light that help others to progress to improvements in the condition of the mind and their life. Teachers are the lifeblood that ensures the wisdom of The Buddha can permeate into the world and shine bright for everyone to progress to Enlightenment.

For a Teacher to be successful at helping others progress to Enlightenment, they would need to be close to Enlightenment themselves or actually Enlightened. Without having done the work on their own mind, they would not have the wisdom of how to help others and guide them to Enlightenment.

To get to Enlightenment, an individual would need to have developed appreciation, gratitude, support, and respect for The Teachings. Without these qualities, one would never be able to experience the Enlightened mind.

Through Students choosing to have appreciation, gratitude, and respect for Teachers while providing support to The Teacher and for The Teachings, then The Path to Enlightenment can shine in the world and flourish.

More and more beings will be willing and able to teach. More and more beings can come to understand The Path to Enlightenment and we will observe improvements within our communities as more and more people experience liberation of mind, peace, joy, Enlightenment which includes having love and kindness for “all beings”.

Develop the mind to eliminate anger/hatred/ill will towards others. Learn how to “love all beings” regardless of your disagreements, as disagreement is a normal part of life - permanent agreement is not possible.

Choose “peacefulness” over hostility.

Choose “harmony” over division and separation.

Choose to have appreciation, gratitude, and respect towards Teachers and support The Teachings to come into the world for your benefit and the benefit of others.

Living in a world of love and kindness is much more enjoyable than the opposite. Living in Thailand, I have the opportunity to live in a world of love and kindness. I aspire for you to experience what it feels like to live in a world of nothing but love and kindness.

We can only accomplish that goal when there is appreciation, gratitude, and respect for Teachers and support for The Teachings.

Look to Asia as a role model for how they practice appreciation, gratitude, and respect towards Teachers while providing support for The Teachings.