Everything is constantly changing.

Greetings. We are pleased to welcome you all from various countries, including over ten people from Laos. Dhamma (the teachings of the Buddha) is universal; it exists whether there is a Buddha or not. The Buddha discovered this existing Dhamma and taught it to us. Therefore, Dhamma does not belong to any country; it is not Indian, nor Thai—it belongs to the world, to everyone.

Most people cannot perceive Dhamma because their minds are not sufficiently developed. The Buddha taught us how to cultivate our minds to perceive Dhamma. He taught us to give (dāna), observe precepts (sīla), and meditate (bhāvanā). Giving helps reduce selfishness and greed. By nature, people tend to accumulate more than necessary, thinking that having more is better. But in reality, having excessive wealth, clothes, or food is beyond what one can use or consume.

People exhaust themselves seeking money and wealth far beyond their needs, often forgetting that what they truly seek is happiness. Many people mistakenly believe that money brings happiness and thus spend their lives chasing money without finding true happiness. The Buddha taught us to give not until we become destitute, but to share our surplus with those in need. Both the giver and the receiver experience happiness.

The Buddha also taught us to observe precepts, which further trains us to resist our defilements (kilesas). Violating precepts occurs when defilements overpower the mind. If we maintain mindfulness (sati), defilements cannot dominate us, and our minds grow stronger and more resilient against defilements.

Mindfulness helps us uphold the precepts by preventing actions and speech that lead to wrongdoing. Wrong actions and speech stem from a corrupt mind. Therefore, when we maintain mindfulness, we naturally adhere to the precepts.

During the Buddha's time, some monks struggled to observe the numerous precepts and sought to disrobe. Recognizing this challenge, the Buddha simplified it, stating that maintaining just one precept—mindfulness of the mind—would suffice.

If we maintain mindfulness, it naturally leads to observing all precepts. This is not a made-up concept but a teaching of the Buddha. Mindfulness helps us recognize and respond to our mental states—happiness, suffering, greed, anger, delusion—leading to the natural observance of precepts.

Maintaining mindfulness involves continuously being aware of what arises in our body and mind. As we practice, mindfulness becomes automatic, and defilements lose their power over us. Consequently, our adherence to precepts strengthens.

We should cultivate mindfulness through meditation practices such as focusing on the breath and reciting "Buddho." Initially, it may be challenging, but with persistence, the mind will settle. As mindfulness grows, we will experience deeper states of calm and clarity, leading to insight and wisdom.

Even brief moments of mindfulness (khāṇika samādhi) are valuable and lead to spiritual progress. Consistent practice, recognizing mental states as they arise, helps develop a stable and luminous mind.

By following these practices, we align with the Buddha's teachings, fostering inner peace, resilience, and true happiness.