《來到廟要閉上嘴》
我們身體有各種元素，地水火風，這些都是由食物滋養
另一種就是修心的東西，我們應該花更多時間在我們的心，觀察我們的心，而不是在食物、 外界的東西，但人們卻很少去做。
心靈的食物最簡單就是看呼吸。佛陀教導的東西，最簡單就是隨時隨地都看呼吸。
大家做功德，其實就是看呼吸。但大家來到廟，只是顧著聊天，沒有一個人是真正坐下來看自己的呼吸
大家來到廟的時候要有意識，我們是來做功德的。我們說話很多時候就會犯了五戒：做惡業，這個人有錢、 這個人漂亮。
我們來廟就是做功德、 看呼吸，而不是來聊天。漂亮和有錢帶回家，不要帶來廟裡。金錢、 美貌，這些全部都是地獄的東西，不需要帶來廟。
如果來到廟不是看呼吸，而是煩世俗的事，那為什麼不好好地看呼吸呢？
我們本身來這個世界就沒一物隨身，為什麼要做惡業呢？ 死時只有善惡業會跟著我們
佛陀說諸法無我，但我們花許多時間去打扮、 在衣著上面。其實都不是慰籍心靈的事。最重要其實是看呼吸。
最簡單就是看呼吸。大家先試試。如果不好，我就不會提完再提
看呼吸時是否舒暢嗎？是真正的快樂嗎？
真正的快樂，看呼吸時就能察覺到。
問自己真正的快樂究竟是什麼。
.....
我們放下然後去頂禮，不再執著過去的東西。
其實做功德比你們想像中更簡單
如果想見到佛陀，就去觀察自己的心。一切的快樂都是來自於真正的平靜。
如果你懂得看心，就會見到佛陀、 真正的快樂。
所以大家在廟裡都不要說太多話
可以身而為人其實不容易。成為人可以去修行，做功德，我們有這個機會就應該好好珍惜，更加認真去修行、 去做。
一個月都是佛日。就找一日去看呼吸，看看天堂是什麼，有多難呢？大家明白嗎？
大家還很健康時就要做這件事，不要等死時才做這件事。
如果太遲就有浪費了生而為人的機會
其實靈魂是沒有肉身困著的東西，有許多地方都有許多靈魂想去生而為人，輪迴成人。
而我們生而為人，我們就不要再留戀這個世界，要盡快地離苦得樂。
大家準備了許多東西，但真正僧人吃到的卻不是很多。
當排隊供僧時，大家有沒有收口，去供僧做好事呢？還是口還在說不好的東西？
大家閉上耳朵、 眼睛，在供僧時真是去供僧，得到福報，而不是得到不好的業力。大家供僧的時候，觀察一下自己能否收口，全心全意地供僧，而不是和隔壁的人說不好的事。
其他人可能會讓你覺得很容易有情緒和生氣，但能夠教導你自己的只有你自己。
來到廟，最簡單就是看呼吸、 閉上嘴，大家怎會做不到？
如果今天不講；大家會有很多疑問，有許多東西說。
大家會否問Luang ta 做功德為什麼那麼難？ 我就跟大家說，其實做功德不是很難的事：閉上口，身口意都平靜，那就是了
---Luang ta Thongin
27-4-2025
"Close Your Mouth When You Come to the Temple"
Our bodies are composed of various elements: earth, water, fire, and wind, all nourished by food. Another aspect is the cultivation of the mind, where we should spend more time observing our mind rather than focusing on food and external matters, though few people do this.
The simplest food for the mind is to observe the breath. The Buddha taught that the easiest practice is to watch the breath anytime and anywhere. When people engage in merits, they are essentially observing their breath. However, when they come to the temple, they often just chat, and no one truly sits down to watch their own breath.
When we come to the temple, we should be aware that we are here to make merits. Talking too much often leads us to violate the five precepts: engaging in bad karma, judging others by wealth or beauty. We come to the temple to cultivate merit and watch our breath, not to chat. Beauty and wealth should be left at home; money and appearance are worldly matters , hell matters ; that do not belong in the temple.
If you come to the temple and are not watching your breath but are instead preoccupied with worldly concerns, why not focus on your breath? We arrive in this world with nothing; why engage in bad kamma? Only good and bad karma will follow us when we die. The Buddha said that all phenomena are without self, yet we spend much time on our appearance and clothing, which do not actually soothe the mind. The most important practice is to observe the breath.
Try it first; if it doesn’t feel good, I won’t bring it up again and again. Is watching your breath pleasant? Is it true happiness?
True happiness can be perceived when watching the breath. Ask yourself what true happiness is.
....
We let go and bow down, no longer clinging to the past.
In fact, making merits s simpler than you might think. If you want to see the Buddha, observe your mind. All happiness comes from genuine peace. If you know how to observe your mind, you will see the Buddha and experience true happiness. So, while at the temple, try not to speak too much.
Being human is not easy. As humans, we have the opportunity to practice and make merits; we should cherish this opportunity and take our practice seriously.
Every month has four Buddha day. Set aside one day to watch your breath and see what heaven is like; how difficult can it be? Do you understand?
While you are still healthy, you should practice this; don’t wait until you are dying to start. If you wait too long, you waste the opportunity of being human. The soul is not bound by the body; many souls wish to be born as humans and cycle through life.
As humans, we should not cling to this world but quickly seek liberation from suffering.
Many foods are prepared, but what monks actually receive is often not much.
When lining up to offer food to monks, are you quiet and focused on doing good, or are you still talking about negative things? Close your ears and eyes. When you offer food, do it sincerely and receive merit, not bad karma. Observe whether you can stay quiet, wholeheartedly offering to the monks without discussing negative matters with others.
Others may provoke your emotions and anger, but only you can teach yourself.
At the temple, the simplest practice is to watch your breath and keep quiet. How can you not do this? If I don’t speak today, you will have many questions and many things to say.
Will you ask Luang Ta why make merits is so difficult? I will tell you that it is not hard: keep your mouth closed, and keep your body, speech, and mind calm—that’s it.
--- Luang Ta Thongin
27-4-2025
video cred. to @Phrakhruwimonpanyakun Nopporn Susen
一般人以話多為傲，以不說話為恥
但智者是完全相反的
據說曾經有信徒和Ajahn Brahm 在同一架車裡
Ajahn Brahm 沒有主動找話說，信徒也沒有
整輛車充滿著寂靜的沉默
這讓信徒格外尷尬，因為一般人和其他人待在一起，無論如何都會找些話題聊
而現在竟出現靜默的情況
這是智者的方式，也是佛陀教導的方式
佛陀曾告誡出家人，當他們集會時，只應該做兩件事：
1.談論佛法
2.保持神聖的沉默 （MN26）
如果要說的話有用，就說
如果要說的話沒用，就不要說
寧願保持沉默，也不要說廢話
Ajahn Suchart 說，如果我們坐在那裡，不知道要說什麼，隨便聊這聊那，沒有真正的目的。這就是破了閒雜語戒了
只要我們尊重佛法，依循佛法；
一開始可能會尷尬，
但慢慢地，尷尬的只會是別人，我們自己不可能會尷尬
再慢慢地，連別人也不尷尬了
我們的周圍都充滿著佛法...
Ordinary people take pride in talking a lot and feel ashamed of staying silent,
but the wise are the complete opposite.
It is said that once, a devotee was in the same car as Ajahn Brahm.
Ajahn Brahm did not initiate conversation, nor did the devotee.
The entire car was filled with profound silence.
This made the devotee particularly uncomfortable because, in ordinary social situations, people always try to make small talk to fill the silence.
Yet there, there was only stillness.
This is the way of the wise and the way the Buddha taught.
The Buddha once advised monastics that when they gather, they should do only two things:
1. Discuss the Dhamma
2. Maintain noble silence (MN 26)
If what we say is useful, speak.
If it is useless, remain silent.
Better to stay quiet than to engage in idle chatter.
Ajahn Suchart said that if we sit around not knowing what to say and just talk about this and that without real purpose, we are breaking the precept against idle chatters
As long as we respect and follow the Dhamma,
it may feel awkward at first,
but gradually, the awkwardness will shift to others—we ourselves will no longer feel it.
And in time, even others will no longer feel awkward.
Our surroundings will become filled with the Dhamma...
現今社會，有許多人是以話多為傲的。
約人去咖啡店，談了六個小時。然後很自豪地post 上 IG ： 我們真是firm! 足足談了六個小時啊！
唉，但如果細心留意，他們說的話一點營養都沒有 😂
這很正常
因為就如佛陀所說，假如一個人多話的話，
說的有許多都會是謊話、 是非、 挑撥離間、 粗惡的話、 沒有意義的話（AN5.214）
那麼多話，正念根本跟不上每一個字
當沒有正念去把關時，
該說的說，不該說的也說
結果傷害自己又傷害別人，做了傻人
六小時的話，真正有用的可能只有幾分鐘😂
In today’s society, many people take pride in talking excessively.
They meet someone at a café, chat for six hours straight, then proudly post on Instagram: "We’re so tight! Talked for a full six hours!"
But if we listen carefully, their conversation has zero substance 😂.
This is perfectly normal.
As the Buddha taught (AN 5.214), when a person talks too much, much of what they say tends to be:
False speech (lies),
Divisive speech (gossip, slander),
Harsh speech (hurtful words),
Idle chatter (meaningless talk).
With so much talking, mindfulness can’t possibly keep up with every word.
When there’s no mindfulness to filter,
we end up saying both what should be said , and also what shouldn’t—
harming ourselves and others
becoming a fool.
Out of six hours of talk, only a few minutes might actually be useful 😂.
佛陀曾告誡出家人，當他們集會時，只應該做兩件事：
1.談論佛法
2.保持神聖的沉默 （MN26）
為什麼佛陀這麼教誡？這是因為假如我們把話題離開佛法的範疇，就自然會傾向於世俗的話題。
佛法是導向貪嗔癡的熄滅，導向快樂；而世俗的話題卻充滿貪嗔癡，導向痛苦
因此假如不是談佛法，不如不談
當然這是就出家人而說的
如果我們是在家人，一開口就只說佛法，別人還以為我們發瘋呢😂
可以說世俗的話題，但如果要說，也應該以戒律為框架。
佛陀教導，我們應該遠離閒雜語，只在適當時機說話，只說事實，只說有意義、 如法、 如律、 值得收藏、 有理由、 有利益的話（MN41）
一旦這樣規範自己，將會字字千金，而且避過了許多因多話而引申的麻煩和是非
也避免了通往貪嗔癡和痛苦之道
The Buddha once instructed monastics that when they gather in assembly, they should do only two things:
1.talk about Dhamma
2.Maintain noble silence (MN 26)
Why did the Buddha give this teaching? Because if we stray from topics of Dhamma, we naturally tend toward worldly conversations.
The Dhamma leads to the cessation of greed, hatred, and delusion—to happiness.
Worldly talks, however, is filled with greed, hatred, and delusion, leading to suffering.
Thus, if we are not speaking of the Dhamma, it is better not to speak at all.
Of course, this applies primarily to monastics.
If we are laypeople and only speak of Dhamma the moment we open our mouths, others might think we’ve gone mad! 😂
Worldly topics can be discussed, but if we must speak, we should do so within the framework of precepts.
The Buddha taught that we should avoid idle chatter, speaking only at the appropriate time, saying only what is true, meaningful, in accordance with Dhamma and discipline, worth preserving, reasonable, and beneficial (MN 41).
By disciplining ourselves in this way, every word becomes precious, and we avoid the many troubles and conflicts that arise from excessive speech.
We also avoid the path leading to greed, hatred, delusion—and suffering.
曾經有一位私家專科醫生分享他的成功心得
為什麼他能有那麼多顧客？
他說，他做的，就是要讓顧客喜歡他
每當病人來的時候，就讓他們說到飽，自己做聆聽者。
事實上，病人來到，必然同時承受雙重苦：身體的苦，心的苦。
佛陀說這些就是無聞凡夫（SN36.6)
而這個世界全部都是凡夫。
其實他們除了想找醫生來醫治身體的疾病外，更想驅除心靈的痛苦
他們需要心靈上的慰籍
所以一位成功的醫生，除了要精通他本身的專科，還要做精神科醫生😂 身兼兩職
病人要人傾訴，那就讓他傾訴囖～
當我們能滿足他們的自我，讓他們高興；他們自然就會喜歡上我們的
那麼客人就一個一個來😂
沒有人想聽我們的偉論，沒有人想迎合我們的自我。
所有人都想別人迎合自己的自我，所有人都想別人聽自己說話
所以有時學會閉嘴都是好事😂
A private specialist doctor once shared his secret to success:
Why does he have so many patients?
He said what he does is simple—make patients like him.
Whenever a patient comes in, he lets them talk as much as they want while he listens attentively.
In reality, patients suffer from two kinds of pain: physical pain and mental pain.
The Buddha called such people uninstructed worldlings (SN 36.6)—and this world is full of them.
Beyond seeking medical treatment, what they truly crave is emotional relief.
They need spiritual comfort.
So, a successful doctor must not only master their specialty but also act as a psychiatrist 😂—handling both roles.
If patients want to vent, let them vent.
When we satisfy their ego and make them happy, they’ll naturally grow fond of us.
And that’s how clients keep coming in, one after another 😂.
No one wants to hear our grand theories. No one wants to cater to our ego.
Everyone wants others to cater to their ego. Everyone wants to be heard.
So sometimes, learning to shut up is a good thing 😂.
如果我們留意一下，就會發現每個人都只喜歡說自己的東西，多過聽別人的東西
每個人都喜歡發表自己的高見，不太喜歡聽別人的見解
每個人關心自己的東西，多過關心別人的東西
為什麼會這樣？ 因為佛陀說，我們每個人最愛的是自己啊（UD.41)
那麼懂得如何處世了吧？
做聆聽者，好過做說話者
讓別人說，好過自己說
If we pay attention, we'll notice that everyone love to talk about their own things more than listening to others.
Everyone likes to express their own opinions and doesn't really enjoy hearing other people's views.
People care more about their own matters than about others' concerns.
Why is this the case? Because the Buddha said that each of us loves ourselves the most (UD 41).
So, now we know how to navigate the world?
Being a listener is better than being a speaker.
Letting others speak is better than speaking ourselves.
《話多不一定好》
佛陀曾教誡比丘們(AN5.214)， 說話多的人會有五種過患
他們會妄語， 說謊
他們會說離間語， 說人是非、詆毀別人
他們會惡口， 說話會傷害別人的心、出口傷人
他們會說閑雜語， 說無意思、無利益、不如法、沒有節制、不適時、不適合的話
在死後便會墮落地獄等惡道
當自己說話說過不停， 就要檢測自己有沒有犯到口的惡業了。
有許多人未學佛前也是不停說說說，說過不停
學佛後， 便開始留意自己的起心動念
發現原來捨去妄語、離間語、惡口、閑雜語後， 自己的說話其實沒有剩下什麼
佛陀在經中繼續說：
“明智地説話者有五種利益。是哪五種呢？
不會妄語
不會離間語
不會惡口
不會閑雜語
在死後，會投生到善道、天界之中。”
明智的說話者，
說的話都會是真實的
他說的話會讓人團結、融洽， 促進別人的感情。 不會詆毀別人， 反而在背後稱讚別人
他說的話好聽， 溫暖人心
說的話都是有利益， 有內涵， 適時， 有節制的
這樣的人， 天界會是他的家
"Talking Too Much Is Not Always Good"
The Buddha once taught the monks (AN 5.214) that those who talk excessively incur five types of misdeeds:
They may speak falsely and tell lies.
They may engage in divisive speech, gossiping and slandering others.
They may use harsh words that hurt others’ feelings.
They may indulge in meaningless chatter, saying things that are unbeneficial, inappropriate, or excessive.
After death, they will fall into hell or other lower realms.
When one finds themselves talking continuously, it’s essential to examine whether they have committed any verbal misdeeds.
Many people, before learning Buddhism, would also talk incessantly. After learning, they begin to pay attention to their thoughts and intentions, realizing that after abandoning lies, divisive speech, harsh words, and meaningless chatter, there’s often little left to say.
The Buddha continued in the sutras:
"Those who speak wisely will gain five benefits. What are these five?
They will not lie.
They will not engage in divisive speech.
They will not use harsh words.
They will not indulge in meaningless chatter.
After death, they will be reborn in human realmsor heavenly realms."
Wise speakers convey truth.
Their words foster unity and harmony, enhancing relationships rather than slandering others; they praise others behind their backs.
Their speech is pleasant and warms the hearts of listeners.
Their words are beneficial, meaningful, timely, and restrained.
Such individuals will find the heavenly realms to be their home.
<Be a listener more>
Devotee: I will lose the calmness when I speak and engage with others
Ajahn Suchart: be mindful listening, don't try to respond. Be a listener more than a speaker. Only speak when you really need to or have to
<更多地成為傾聽者>
信徒：當我與他人交談時，我會失去內心的平靜。
阿姜蘇查：正念地傾聽，不要急於回應。要多做傾聽者，而不是說話者。只有在你真的需要或必須說話時，才開口。