Dhamma Talk Audio 63: The Buddha was a Careful Judge of Character
Recorded at Seremban Sudhamma Buddhist Association, Malaysia, given to an audience of about 100, here’s a 30-min recorded audio-only Dhamma Talk - downloadable 21MB .mp3 (Tip: tap and hold to “Download link”, or right click to “Save Link As…“). This was on the occasion of their Vesak; May 12, 2025.
Topics:
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Vesak, the Buddha, “he who sees Nibbana, sees me; he who sees me, sees Nibbana”; orientation towards leadership, versus that which is taught; arahantship, psychic powers, morality, trust, the duties of parents to teach children about who they can trust
Sutta references:
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“The Life of the Buddha” - by Nyanamoli Bhikkhu, is a great Vesak-related book, as Vesak is the celebration of the birth, life and death of the Buddha.
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Ud 6.2 - “Seven Matted-Hair Ascetics” (The Buddha needs a long, long time to observe to judge if someone is an arahant):
You can get to know a person’s ethics by living with them. But only after a long time, not casually; only when paying attention, not when inattentive; and only by the wise, not the witless. You can get to know a person’s purity by dealing with them. … You can get to know a person’s resilience in times of trouble. … You can get to know a person’s wisdom by discussion. But only after a long time, not casually; only when paying attention, not when inattentive; and only by the wise, not the witless.”
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Ja 1 - The 2 caravans of merchants cross a dangerous desert. A monster who can disguise itself as a helpful person fools and destroys the first caravan, but not the second.
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