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SERVE TO KEEP THE WHEEL OF DHAMMA ROTATING

My dear Dhamma servers:

What is the purpose of Dhamma service? Certainly not to receive board and lodging, nor to pass the time in a comfortable environment, nor to escape from the responsibilities of daily life. Dhamma servers know this well.

Such persons have practised Vipassana and realized by direct experience the benefits it offers. They have seen the selfless service of the teachers, management and Dhamma servers—service that enabled them to taste the incomparable flavour of Dhamma. They have begun to take steps on the Noble Path, and naturally have started to develop the rare quality of gratitude, the wish to repay this debt for all that they have received.

Of course the teacher, management and Dhamma servers gave their service without expecting anything in return, nor will they accept any material remuneration. The only way to pay back the debt to them is by helping to keep the Wheel of Dhamma rotating, to give to others the same selfless service. This is the noble volition with which to give Dhamma service.

As Vipassana meditators progress on the path, they emerge from the old habit pattern of self-centredness and start to concern themselves with others. They notice how everywhere people are suffering: young or old, men or women, black or white, wealthy or poor, all are suffering. Meditators realize that they themselves were miserable until they encountered the Dhamma. They know that, like themselves, others have started to enjoy real happiness and peace by following the Path. Seeing this change stimulates a feeling of sympathetic joy, and strengthens the wish to help suffering people come out of their misery with Vipassana. Compassion overflows, and with it the volition to help others find relief from their suffering.

Of course it takes time to develop the maturity and to receive the training to teach Dhamma, but there are many other ways in which to serve those who have come to join a course, and all of them are invaluable. Truly it is a noble aspiration to be a Dhamma server—a simple, humble Dhamma server.

And those who practise Vipassana start realizing the law of nature according to which actions of body and speech that cause harm to others will also harm those who commit them, while actions that help others will bring peace and happiness to those who perform them. Thus, helping others is also helping oneself. It is therefore in one’s own interest to serve. Doing so develops one’s pāramīs and makes it possible to advance more quickly and surely on the path. Serving others is, in fact, also serving oneself. Understanding this truth again stimulates the wish to join in the noble mission of helping others to come out of their miseries.

But what is the best way to serve? Without knowing this, servers cannot help others or themselves; instead they might even do harm. However noble the Dhamma mission may be, there can be no true benefit in helping to fulfil it if the volition of the Dhamma server is not sound. The service will not be beneficial if it is given to inflate the server’s ego, or to obtain something in return—even if only words of praise or appreciation.

When you give service see that you meditate at least three times a day for one hour each, to keep yourself fit to give service. If you find your mind is agitated or full of negativity and it cannot work properly, then you had better stop serving and join the course. First help yourself! Understand, unless you have helped and strengthened yourself in Dhamma, you can’t help others. A lame person cannot support another lame person; a blind person cannot guide another blind person. Strengthen yourself at least enough so that you can give wholesome service.

Every action of yours is important because the students examine the actions of the teacher, the management and the Dhamma servers, and if they find these people are short-tempered they will become discouraged. But if they find the teacher, management and the servers are peaceful, smiling, helpful, and full of love, without a trace of ill will, they will certainly be encouraged to walk diligently on the path. Therefore, understand that you have a great responsibility. Every action of yours on this Dhamma land should be such that you generate devotion and confidence towards Dhamma in the mind of the newcomers, and you help to strengthen devotion and confidence in the minds of the old students.

Just as you expect a new student to observe the precepts and the discipline of the course, in the same way see that you yourself observe the discipline and silence as much as possible. Say only what is essential. Speak politely, lovingly, truthfully, helpfully. You have to observe all the Five Precepts while you are giving Dhamma service. If you break any precept you will harm the atmosphere of the centre and harm others.

A Dhamma server is not a jailer but a servant, a Dhamma servant. The students are not prisoners. Of course the rules and discipline must be observed, but if a student is found breaking them it does not mean the Dhamma server should take action against this person with the mentality of a jailer towards a convict. No, there must be sympathy. If somebody has broken a rule, it shows that this person is either ignorant or highly agitated. A good Dhamma server will generate a feeling of sympathy and think, "This person is suffering; how can I help him come out of suffering?" This cannot be done by punishment or using hard words full of anger and hatred—that would be like throwing fire on somebody already burning. This person requires soothing words of sympathy, love and compassion.

At times you might have to use strong words but see that they are not hurtful, filled with ill will. If by mistake you have spoken wrongly, see how quickly you realize this and develop love and compassion towards the same student. Seek an opportunity to meet this person and smilingly speak a few words of love and compassion. If this person was hurt by your wrong action, the bad effect will be washed away and the student will start working once again with enthusiasm.

Understand that even though you are a server, you are always a student. Therefore never try to play the role of the teacher. If a student approaches you with any difficulty pertaining to the meditation, don’t be enthusiastic to give advice on the technique to the student. In a humble way take the person to the teacher and let the teacher answer questions pertaining to the technique.

While serving you can give suggestions, but don’t expect that these suggestions will be accepted by the manager or by the teacher. Don’t inflate your ego or you will start to harm yourself. If you feel agitated because your suggestions have not been accepted, you are not learning Dhamma. You are here to serve, not to dominate others.

Do not expect anything in return for your service. When you insist that your suggestions should be accepted, you are expecting something. Keep understanding: "I am here to serve, that is all. I am learning how to serve without expecting anything in return; I am serving with only one volition: to see that more and more people benefit. May I be a good example to them; this will help them and will help me also."

Understand that while serving you are learning how to apply Dhamma in day-to-day life. After all, Dhamma is not an escape from daily responsibilities. By learning to act according to the Dhamma in dealing with the students and situations here in the little world of a meditation course or centre, you train yourself to act in the same way in the world outside. Despite the unwanted behaviour of another person, you practise trying to keep the balance of your mind, and to generate love and compassion in response. This is the lesson you are trying to master here. You are a student as much as those who are sitting the course.

May all of you who give Dhamma service become strengthened in Dhamma. May you learn to develop your goodwill, love and compassion for others. May all of you progress in Dhamma to enjoy real peace, real harmony, real happiness .

Bhavatu sabba maṅgalaṃ

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