Ven. Moggallâna's work

It is said that from the two main disciples of the Buddha, Ven.
Sâriputta performed the duty of teaching people until they could
attain Stream-entry, at which they would certainly become enlightened.
Ven. Moggallâna however, would continue to teach stream-enterers till
they attained arahant, at which they had reached the final stage of
enlightenment. Why did the Venerable continue to teach people who were
already destined for enlightenment? Why did he not teach newcomers,
whose minds were filled with impurities? Because he aimed at building
leaders of the Dhamma. If anyone had reached arahantship, he would be
able to devote his time in living and teaching that Dhamma he had
attained, and that would be for the benefit of many.

Sometimes it is better to perfect something already reasonably
well-done, than to do many things reasonably well.

Fellows in aging, sickness and death

Isn't it interesting that everyone looks quite the same when they're
old? Asian, European or American, everyone is wrinkled and grey. We
are all fellows in the same cycle of aging, sickness and death.

Sacrifice

In all of my greatest moments of sacrifice I have always had the
feeling i acted for my own benefit, that, indeed, nothing else was
more beneficial to me than self-sacrifice.

Inspiring to faith

Today Luang Phor Dhammajayo explained the Thai term 'ที่ตั้งแห่งศรัทธา'. He mentioned that a sâmanera or monk should act in a way that inspires faith to others, in order that others can place their faith in you easily. We should be like a holder in which incense is placed, in honor of the Triple Gem -- the foundation and the person that gives joy, inspiration and life to those who support the Sangha. Just like one little sâmanera, that is Nigrodha, inspired confidence in the emperor Asoka the Great, till the extent that he dedicated his life to the Dhamma and spread it all over Asia. It all started with one single sâmanera, who had practiced his mind until he had attained to enlightenment, who taught the aggressive emperor not to be complacent but practice goodness at all times.

The effort of one fulfilling pâramîs

A person intent on fulfilling pâramîs has a different kind of effort
than people in general. His effort is aiming for accomplishment, but
not limited to it. Failure is completely unrelated to it -- his effort
is always constant.