Mahadhammasamadana Sutta

Mahadhammasamadana Sutta is a Dhamma talk which the Buddha gave to his disciples when he was staying at Jetavana temple. He said, “Behold monks, most people are happy with what they like and they are unhappy with what they dislike. They don’t know things are impermanent. When they are happy, they try in many ways to prolong their happiness. When they are unhappy, they also try in many ways to push that feeling away”.

He added that because of ignorance, they fell under opinions of liking or disliking. As for those who knew, they did not fall under opinions, they saw the world through the wisdom-eye. Even if their life was up and down, according to worldly conditions, they could deal with that.

Knowing is a key word that the Buddha always emphasized. It is true that if we are wise, we can deal with all problems. Wisdom will lead our life to happiness. On the contrary, ignorance will lead us to suffering. “Happiness is a result of wise actions and suffering is a result of wrong actions” is the teaching of the Buddha. He also gave the simile that if people drink clean water but mix it with poison, they will die. If they drink clean water without any poisonous mixture, they will be healthy. If they drink clean water, mixed with medicine, they will recover from their illness.

So in our life, we must know what is good for us. We must know those with whom we associate. We must know the actions that we are going to perform; if they will hurt ourselves and others, or not. If they will, we have to stop doing those actions and do the better ones, which generate good consequences. Knowledge is the best start of all actions, be aware or mindful of our own actions; neither harming ourselves nor others. That is the best action, isn’t it?