Birth Centenary Day Message
- by S. N. Goenka

(The following is a translation of an article by S. N. Goenka published in the 31 March 1999 issue of the Hindi Vipaśhyanā Patrikā)

Last month we celebrated the birth centenary day of revered Sayagyi U Ba Khin. The birth anniversaries of saintly persons are meaningful only if they become a source of inspiration for us, so that we strive to develop their good qualities within us.

Our revered Teacher, Sayagyi U Ba Khin, always considered the organisational aspect of Dhamma secondary and gave full importance to its practical aspect. He practised Dhamma throughout his life and taught his companions and students to enable them to practise Dhamma.

The practical aspect of Dhamma is sīla, samādhi and paññā. To live a life of morality at the physical and vocal level; to gain mastery over the mind by the practice of samādhi; and to purify the mind on the strength of paññā; this is the practical aspect of Dhamma, which is sandiṭṭhiko (to be seen for oneself) and akāliko (giving results here and now).

The mind gives up its wickedness and becomes simple and pure, gentle and humble, so it becomes a means for our welfare here and now. It becomes a means of realisation of one’s own self-interest in the true sense.

When the mind gives up its wickedness, one is saved from the tendency of harming others. One does not harm others even slightly. One is liberated from the stress and strain of egotism. Thus, one saves oneself from misery and avoids becoming a cause for the misery of others.

If the mind is straightforward and pure, one does virtuous deeds, becomes well-spoken, becomes peaceful. When the mind becomes pure, it is filled with fellowship, with mettā. All beings in all the ten directions, living in water or on land or in the sky, whether immovable or movable, small or big, visible or invisible, born or unborn, whether of this world or of other worlds, may all be happy! May all be free from trouble! May all be free from disease! May all be free from misery! May the message of Dhamma reach more and more people. May they practise Dhamma. May they be happy! May they be peaceful! Their body and mind begins to reverberate with these wholesome feelings. They themselves are benefited by this boundless mettā and create an atmosphere that is beneficial for other beings.

Meditators! This is the practical aspect of Dhamma. Therefore, it ought to be done, it ought to be practised.

Though it may take time to attain perfection in this practical aspect of Dhamma, on the auspicious day of the birth centenary of Sayagyi U Ba Khin, let us take inspiration from the exemplary life of our revered Teacher and energetically strive to attain this aim. Let us progress step-by-step on this path. Let us attain our own welfare, even it be only a little. Gradually while progressing on this path and attaining more and more welfare, we will reach the ultimate goal.

In spite of a thousand obstacles, let our enthusiasm to practise the pure Dhamma not be diminished, let our efforts not slacken, in that lies our welfare.