Bang Kwang’s main gate is (still) open.

During the time of the Buddha, many people tried to find the path to Nirvana. The escape from the cycle of birth and death was what the people of that era desired. That is why we see hermits, nuns, forest dwellers, and wanderers trying to practice. They did everything, even though it was very difficult, but they endured it. That shows that they truly wanted to escape suffering. Having said that, it may have been easier for the disciples back then because there were already people looking for a way out. Today, the situation is different. People are infatuated with sensual pleasures, luxury, and convenience. Why should they come and suffer? Forget it. In the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, the Buddha said, “Bhikkhus, there are two extremes that monks should not indulge in: sensual pleasures, which are for the common people and for the common people; and self-mortification, which is for the suffering, not for the benefit, and not the practice of the Noble Ones. The Buddha has already spoken about both infatuation with sensual pleasures and self-mortification. Then he pointed out that there was a middle way, which was the way to Nirvana, to peace. He then announced that the middle way was what he had realized, consisting of 8 elements: the Noble Eightfold Path. He had already shown the way out of suffering, and had already led the way. This cycle of existence is a strong prison for animals. There is no way for animals to escape with the wisdom of ordinary people who are weak. There is only the infatuation with deception. But now the prison door has been opened by his wisdom of enlightenment. At the same time, the door of each prison cell, each room, seemed to be closed, but in reality, each door was not locked. When the disciples listened to the Buddha’s words and practiced them, they found a great miracle. They saw the truth that the great door of samsara had really been opened. All the disciples rushed to announce to the people in the prison to wake up and yanked the bars of each room with all their strength. They were surprised and happy for the second time that the doors of each cell were not locked. They quickly told of the miracle they had found with the wisdom of enlightenment of the Lord Buddha in a trembling voice. But the happiness and joy gradually faded because… almost no prisoners were interested in following him out. They devoted their body and heart to the prison cell that the warden had decorated to be fascinated. This became a prison that was more subtle and subtle than any other era. To the point that the warden didn’t need to have guards or lock the cell. Instead, he smiled at the main door and let his disciples walk up to his cell to invite him, laughing with pity and satisfaction, both for the disciples who had to work hard and for the foolish prisoners who were only fascinated by temporary and illusionary things, and were serious about meaningless things. The warden had once asked the Lord Buddha to let him leave his body and enter nirvana. In fact, the prison door should have been closed since that day. But with the Lord Buddha’s wisdom and dedication, he announced the Patimokkha and established the Dhamma and Vinaya for the monks to chant and listen to every fortnight, so that Buddhism has survived to this day. The prison door has been wide open 180 degrees for 2,600 years after the Enlightenment, but the prisoners did not know that the main door of the prison The prison officer walked over to pull the door to close it back like before. The main door of this prison is slowly closing. The prisoners do not know about it because the karaoke that they are shouting at the mouth drowns out everything happening around. Because they are fascinated by the wardens’ creation in the cell, the prisoners do not see the truth that they are laughing and enjoying the flat screen TV, iPads, iPhones, Hi-speed internet, bags, clothes, and all those temptations, even though their fellow prisoners in the next cell are being dragged out to be executed every day. The followers tried to say, “You have also been sentenced to death. Why don’t you find a way to escape while there is still time, who knows how much, before they come to drag you out to be executed?” The answer they got caused the followers who were waiting to help show the way to lower their heads and sigh in exhaustion, even though they were standing there waiting with bated breath, even though they had nothing to do with it because the truth was, “I had nothing to do with it. But people keep saying that it is your duty to tell me. Whether I do it or not is my right.” The followers stood anxiously looking at the clock and then looking back at the main door, afraid that it would close first, afraid that the prison officer would come and drag them out. That person was executed first. But the answer he got was, “Wait a minute. Let me finish watching the drama first. It’s the final episode now. You can go tell the other rooms first.” Up until today, all the disciples have found the truth from the lessons they’ve encountered. They don’t suffer with anyone anymore. They can only do their best to the best of their abilities in the remaining life because they have accepted the truth that…all living beings are subject to karma. 2013-09-01