Normally the heart has become such an extension of the
kilesas that we are unaware of its intrinsic value. This happens
because the heart is so thoroughly impregnated with kilesas that
the two become indistinguishable. The heart’s real value is then
obscured from view. If we allow this condition to continue indef-
initely because we are indifferent about finding a solution, neither
our hearts nor Dhamma will have any actual value for us. Even
were we to be born and die hundreds of times, it would simply be
a matter of exchanging one set of dirty clothes for another set of
dirty clothes. No matter how many times we change in and out
of dirty clothes we cannot escape the fact that we remain filthy.
Which is certainly very different from someone who takes off his
dirty clothes and exchanges them for nice clean ones. Similarly,
the interchange between good and evil within the heart is an
important problem that each of us should take personal respon-
sibility for and investigate within ourselves. No one else can carry
this burden for us and so give us peace of mind. It’s extremely
important that each and every one of us be aware that, in both
the present and the future, we alone are responsible always for
our own progress. The only exceptions are those, like the Lord
Buddha and the Arahant disciples, who carefully developed them-
selves spiritually until they attained a state of total security. For
them the job is completed, the ultimate goal secure. These are the
Noble individuals that the rest of us take as our refuge, provid-
ing us hope for the future. Even miscreants who still understand
the difference between right and wrong will take the Buddha,
Dhamma, and Sangha as their refuge. They at least have enough
sense to feel some remorse. Just as good people and bad people
alike feel a natural dependence on their parents, so people of all
jacob rumans
(Jacob Rumans)
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