The Amity of Dhamma
by S N Goenka

(The following is an excerpt from Goenkaji’s address to Vipassana meditators during the Annual Meeting at Dhamma Giri, January 1992. It has been adapted for the Newsletter.)

The Buddha said that two types of people are rare. One type is the person who serves, who takes initiative in serving, which means that there is no thought in the mind about anything other than service. Instead, the volition of such a person is: bahujana-hitāya, bahujana-sukhāya-my service is to help others; more and more people should benefit from it. The second type is the person who has a feeling of gratitude. Develop these two qualities and certainly you are progressing on the path, certainly you are fit to help others.

The Vipassana organization is growing. But as it grows, it is quite possible that there will be differences of opinion, personality clashes might start, and there may be attachment to personal opinions. One has to be very careful. This is like fire; don’t allow the fire to start. But if it has begun, see that it is extinguished immediately. Don’t allow it to spread. Always remember the Buddha’s words:

Vivādaṃ bhayato disvā,
avivādañca khemato,
samaggā sakhilā hotha,
esā buddhānusāsanī.
-Apadānapāḷi 1.1.79

Seeing danger in dispute,
Security in concord,
Dwell together in amity-
This is the teaching of the Enlightened One.

If you find a fault in somebody, certainly, you should go and tell him or her-humbly, with mettā and compassion, "Well, I feel this action of yours is not according to Dhamma." Try to convince them, but if they are not convinced, don’t generate negativity-instead generate more compassion. Try again and if again this person doesn’t understand, then inform an elder, let the elder try. If this is not successful, let another elder try. If this is not successful, have compassion for this person.

If you have anger and hatred, how can you help anyone else? You have not even helped yourself. Be careful. Remember: vivādaṃ bhayato disvā. It is a frightening situation where you create animosity or controversy. This is a family and a member of the family has become weak. The entire family should help to make this person strong. Don’t condemn them or try to push them out. This person requires our compassion, not our hatred.

If we continue to have this attitude, then Dhamma remains with us all the time because we have started helping ourselves first. There should be nothing but love and compassion. This should become the guideline for every Dhamma server.

Doha
Dūra rahe durabhāvanā, dveṣa hoya saba dūra.
Nirmala niramala citta meṃ, pyāra bhare bharapūra.
May ill will be far away, may all aversion be dispelled.
May the pure and stainless heart brim over with love.