พระอาจารย์สอนว่าการเข้าถึงพระธรรมกายมีตั้งแต่ 1% ถึง 100% ไม่จำเป็นต้องเห็นชัดในทันที เพียงทำความรู้สึกว่าเราเป็นองค์พระ องค์พระเป็นตัวเรา ก็เริ่มเข้าถึงท่านแล้ว พร้อมอุปมาบุญที่ไหลผ่านตัวเราเหมือนฟองอากาศจากหลอดดูดกาแฟ ก่อนแผ่เมตตาธรรมและอุทิศส่วนกุศลPhra Ajarn teaches that reaching the Dhamma body is not all-or-nothing — it ranges from 1% to 100%, and simply holding the feeling of being the crystal image is already the beginning of attainment. He compares the merit flowing through us to bubbles rising from a coffee straw, then leads a radiation of loving-kindness and dedication of merit.
When we speak the name of of the Arahant, "," he appears at the center of our body. Naming a state causes its corresponding form to appear, whether or not we can see it — because he is already with us, already within each of us. The instant we speak his name, he appears at our center, and we appear at his.
Filling the Whole Body with the Dhamma Body of the Arahant
Recollect the body of the Arahant; feel that the Buddha image dwells at the center of your being — a crystal image, pure and radiant. Invite him to expand and fill your entire body: let your head become the crystal crown of the Dhamma body, sparkling and radiant, delicate, soft and gentle; your face his countenance; your eyes his eyes; nose, mouth, chin, and throat all clear crystal, pure and radiant. Arms to fingertips, chest, abdomen, back, hips, thighs, knees, shins, and feet — all become the clear crystal of the Dhamma body. We are the Buddha image, the Buddha image is us. Let go entirely of the sense of being a human body, keeping only the feeling of being the Dhamma body.
Reaching the Dhamma Body Ranges from 1% to 100%
The revered teacher once said that attainment of the Dhamma body ranges anywhere from 1% up to 100%. Right now, simply holding the feeling that we are the Buddha image, the Buddha image is us, already begins that attainment — 1%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, depending on how continuously, moment to moment, we can stay focused on him. Even if the image is unclear at first, or not seen at all, simply feeling that he is there is already enough.
If We Died Right Now, We Would Certainly Be Born in the Heavens
Phra Ajarn invites us to consider: if, while holding the feeling that we are the Buddha image, we were to die at this very instant, which realm would we be born into? Certainly the heavenly realm — the celestial worlds. Normally, birth in heaven requires accumulating great merit through giving, precepts, and meditation. Yet right now, merely by recollecting him, we can be confident of birth in the celestial realm. This shows that the merit flowing through us in each moment is anything but ordinary.
The Simile of Bubbles Rising from a Coffee Straw
The stream of merit from Nirvana flows continuously through the center of our body and mind. Phra Ajarn offers this simile: the merit rising through us is like dipping a coffee straw into water and blowing through it — bubbles rise continuously, one after another. Each sphere of merit rising through our center works the same way, unbroken, forming a stream of merit. Within that sphere of merit rests wealth of form, riches, , retinue, honor, praise, , the path and fruit of Nirvana, and of the Dhamma body — all complete within it.
Receiving the Stream of Merit and Treasure
As merit rises continuously through our center, it forms a stream of treasure flowing continuously as well. We need only sit and receive this stream of merit and treasure, chanting "Samma Arahang" while recollecting the Dhamma body — our true self, while the human body is merely a temporary dwelling. Gather the mind, settle it at the center of the Buddha image, still and soft, at the center of the sphere of merit, the center of the Buddha image, the center of the stream of merit, the center of happiness and radiant . Stay fully aware within, with complete clarity of mind, knowing thoroughly, resting still within.
Merit Stored in Every Body
The stream of merit from Nirvana flows continuously along our entire lineage of Dhamma; every body, every sphere, receives this purification and radiance. Merit is stored in every body — the Dhamma body of the Arahant, the Non-Returner, the Once-Returner, the Stream-Enterer, the Gotrabhu body, both coarse and refined, together with the celestial and human bodies, coarse and refined. All receive the benefit together — a wonder that occurs every time we make effort in practice.
The revered teacher once said merit arises in two circumstances: doing good, and resisting evil, whether through body, speech, or mind. In both cases, merit flows from Nirvana to support and help us succeed in doing good and in resisting evil.
The Qualities of the Sphere of Merit and Its Guardian Sovereign
The Grandmother Teacher once said that the ordinary treasures of this world require the subtle treasure within us to draw them in. The more subtle treasure we hold, the more of the world's coarser treasures we can attract into our lives. This is why she taught the world to accumulate merit — because merit brings happiness.
The Boundless Virtue of the Triple Gem Within
He abides at our center, continually refining and purifying the elements and truth within us through stillness. Every time we take pleasure in something wrong — in thought, speech, or deed — demerit passes through our center, and he must correct it, working continuously, day and night, whether we sleep, wake, stand, walk, sit, or lie down. This is why, every evening during our evening chanting, we bow to ask forgiveness of him with the words "kayena vacaya va cetasa va," seeking forgiveness from the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha. The Triple Gem's virtue is truly immeasurable. Recollecting him often is one way we can lighten his burden, merging ourselves with him into oneness through the chant "Samma Arahang."
Radiating Merit to Those Who Have Helped Us
In this fitting moment, recall your parents, siblings, grandparents, and teachers, dedicating this merit to those you hold dear, as well as to the celestial beings who help and support us, our guardians, and any beings we may have wronged, our karmic counterparts — may we forgive one another and all receive a share of this merit equally: brahma gods, celestial beings of every heavenly realm, and even beings in hell, hungry ghosts, and asuras who suffer — may they all be freed from suffering. May those who suffer greatly suffer less; may those who suffer little be entirely free of suffering and find happiness; may those with little happiness have more; and may those with much happiness have ever more.
Expanding Loving-Kindness Across the World and the Universe
Having set this good wish, let this heart filled with expand to cover our home — loving-kindness shining through every corner of the atmosphere, through brick, stone, sand, trees, tables, and chairs, all illuminated by its power. This wholesome quality can only arise in the mind; whatever wholesome state we set, it appears and expresses its own quality. Let it extend to neighboring homes, covering the whole village, sub-district, district, province, every region of Thailand, and onward to every nation until it covers the whole world. As far as the mind expands, loving-kindness — which is born from the mind — expands along with it, dissolving all defilement and discord until it vanishes. Continue expanding into the atmosphere of the universe, covering countless galaxies, large and small, beyond counting.
Setting Resolve and Dedicating Merit
In this auspicious moment, Phra Ajarn leads the invocation, asking for the blessing, power, radiance, and authority of every Buddha, every Silent Buddha, every Arahant, together with the merit of the great teachers, to combine fully with the merit we have sincerely accumulated — becoming sacred, potent merit that purifies our elements, freeing us from bondage to Mara, from greed, hatred, delusion, lust, covetousness, and clinging without residue; granting and penetration into the Dhamma body; good health and long life; unwavering resolve toward Nirvana; good fortune, safety, and the affection of celestial beings; prosperity in our work; and, when we eventually pass from this world, birth in the Tusita heaven's special sphere of merit in the region of the great Bodhisattvas — and when we return to the human world, birth into a warm family of right view, studying the true Dhamma correctly alongside the great teachers. May all past wrongdoing be forgiven forever, and may this good wish be fulfilled for all of us, until we reach the ultimate goal of the Dhamma.