Someone asked Pra Ajarn to explain our founder's teaching, "rely on neutrality."

This teaching says that for the sangha to be given to, giving must be neutral — this is called establishing the foundation of Buddhism, because the Buddha's religion can only endure through neutrality. Monks and novices within the discipline must conduct and practice themselves neutrally, favoring neither themselves nor others. Lay devotees who give in Buddhism must likewise give neutrally, without leaning toward themselves or their own group — only then can their giving be called correctly directed, truly aimed at the source and true goal of merit.

Equanimity, the Culmination of the Ten Perfections

This principle is one of neither delight nor aversion — abiding in equanimity so the mind stays balanced and neutral, which leads toward purity. This requires neutrality across all ten perfections: giving, morality, renunciation, wisdom, effort, patience, truthfulness, resolution, loving-kindness, and finally equanimity, the culmination of them all. One must develop step by step until reaching equanimity as the final perfection. Whatever we do, hold the mind neutral — even when offering something to a group of four or more monks, keep the mind even, without favoring "this is us, that is not us." Whatever the lineage or temple, all belong to the one religion of the same Lord Buddha.

Seeing Through the Dhamma Body Dissolves the Division Between Self and Other

Every being carries the dhamma body residing at their center. We must therefore look through our own dhamma body, through our true self, toward the true self of all other beings — which is likewise the dhamma body. When we do, we come to abide in the world of the dhamma body, surrounded in every particle of the atmosphere, where all people, beings, and things are saturated with the bright, clear dhamma body. Seeing the world this way, we no longer divide ourselves from others. Giving and building perfections thus begin with giving neutrally, without favoring oneself or one's own group — only then can giving be called correctly directed, truly reaching the source and goal of merit.

Practice Abiding in Neutrality Every Moment

Train this way every day, every minute, every hour — morning, midday, afternoon, evening, before sleep, and upon waking — gradually learning, understanding, and practicing. Once this understanding enters the heart, clarity arises automatically, giving rise to vision and inspiration to build a new, more excellent way of life. As we resolve to live rightly and well, diligence and effort naturally follow — and when we reach the very limit of human endurance, we must rely on the boundless power of nibbana. Connecting with it requires honesty and sincerity, and through that we can push through to a truly remarkable success — because the mind is an accomplished element: whatever we resolve it to be, it becomes. In this way, benefiting all beings becomes easy, and we reach the culmination of the dhamma — living continuously by equanimity, with neither delight nor aversion.