Looking For Dharma

Looking for Dharma

By Ajahn Chah

The Dharma belongs to no one, it has no owner

It arises in the world when a world manifests,

yet stand alone as the Truth.

It is always here, unmoving, limitless …

… for all who seek it.

Like water underground,whoever digs a well finds it.

Yet, whether or not you dig,it is always here, underlying all things.

In our search for Dharma, sometimes we search too far,we overreach, over looking the essence.

The Dharma is not out there …

… to be gained by a long voyageviewed through

a telescope.

It is right here,nearest to us, our true essence - "non self"

When we see this essence, we see that good, bad,

pleasure, pain, light, dark,

self, other …

… are just mereempty

phenomenon.

When we come to know this essence

then detachment naturally arises.

and understand their true nature

We learn to practice how "not to attain", and say "Nothing is me or mine, all is impermanent."

True Dharma, after all, has no going forward,

no going backward,and no standing still.

It's not about looking for goodor bad or anything at all.

It's not about being anything.

But when you see happiness and displeasure arisingand not follow either, then you've discovered true joy

This is the joy of true happiness,

The true joy of the Buddha.

Spiritual