Sitting in Meditation Feels Like Torment, Yet It Turns Out to Be a 'Key' to Civilization

Does sitting in meditation involve suffering? For beginners, it is truly a form of torment: aching legs, numb legs, and the struggle to keep the mind/heart from wandering. But as Thầy Thích Chân Quang pointed out, that very suffering is the path leading to enlightenment.

"At first, sitting in meditation is a torment, truly. Especially for older people... yet that suffering is precisely the path that leads to spiritual enlightenment."

The Price of Achievement

We often complain that meditation is hard, but let us look at every profession: a soldier endures harsh training before becoming a general, a doctor must struggle with corpses to learn about disease. No success comes without a price to pay.

"In every profession, if we wish to reach achievement, there is a price to be paid – it is all hardship and struggle."

When we are young, sitting in meditation seems like nothing compared to other hardships. But after meditating for a long time, once the legs and body grow accustomed to it, we will attain a happiness that nothing in this world can compare with.

Buddhism: Ahead of Science

Einstein, the genius of humanity, looked at the universe with wisdom rather than with his eyes. When he examined religion, he noticed something remarkable: Buddhism does not need to be revised to fit with science; rather, science must advance in order to catch up with Buddhism.

"Buddhism simply stands still while science must chase after it. However far science advances, it is only following along the path of Buddhism."

For this reason, we hold an invaluable treasure. We are fortunate to have been born in a land where Buddhism has flourished for thousands of years, so let us practice with diligence and not fail this beautiful conditions (dependent origination).

Eating Vegetarian: Following the Rhythm of the World's Progress

Many people worry that a vegetarian diet will leave them weak. But the Teacher shared: eating vegetarian may not give the strength that meat and fish provide, yet in the long run, it brings more lasting health. Indeed, in civilized countries like Germany, the vegetarian movement is spreading, and people prepare vegetarian dishes with such scientific skill that they are delicious.

"People are eating vegetarian more and more... They prepare vegetarian food using science."

So do not regard vegetarianism as superstition or as lacking nutrition; instead, see it as an expression of civilization and morality.

Three Things Meditation Brings to Human Beings

When we practice meditative concentration, we gradually develop three kinds of mind/heart: a pure mind/heart, a moral mind/heart, and a mind/heart of wisdom. These three are enough to form the character of a civilized person, one who contributes to progress wherever they live.

"When we practice meditation, we gain three things. First is a pure mind/heart, second is a moral mind/heart, and third is a mind/heart of wisdom."

For example, a pure mind/heart makes us unable to accept even a single piece of litter or the slightest disorder in our environment. But do not be confused: a person who is clean does not necessarily have a pure mind/heart, yet a person with a pure mind/heart will certainly live cleanly and orderly. This is a mathematical theorem that has no converse.

Building the Homeland from a Pure Mind/Heart

Rather than seeking out a wealthy country to enjoy its comforts, Buddhists should stay and build their homeland into a place that is rich, beautiful, civilized, and progressive. Cause and effect (karmic law) will lead us to happiness if we sow good seeds.

"I build my country to be rich and beautiful, civilized and progressive... The seed I have sown is this: as long as I live, I strive to contribute to building a homeland that is rich, beautiful, civilized, and progressive. Then surely, wherever I go, that place must become rich, beautiful, civilized, and progressive."

Do not wait for a place of ready-made comfort. Begin right where you live, sowing good seeds each day through practicing meditative concentration, living with morality and wisdom.

Let us promise one another: from today, each of us will strive to practice – not only for ourselves, but so that those around us may also come to know the Buddha's teachings (Dharma), and together build a civilized society as the Buddha taught.