Happiness and Suffering

A young Western monk arrived at one of Achaan Chah's forest monasteries and asked permission to stay and practice.

"I hope you're not afraid of suffering" was Achaan Chah's first response.

Somewhat taken aback, the young Westerner explained he did not come to suffer but to learn meditation and to live peacefully in the forest.

Achaan Chah explained, "There are two kinds of suffering: the suffering that leads to more suffering and the suffering that leads to the end of suffering. If you are not willing to face the second kind of suffering, you will surely continue to experience the first."

Achaan Chah's way of teaching was usually straightforward and direct. When he met his monks on the monastery grounds, he often asked, "are you suffering much today?" If one answered yes, Chah would reply, "Well, you must have many attachments today," and then he would laugh with the monk about it.