--- title: "16 Suffering Quotes By Ajahn Chah" description: "16 Suffering quotes by Ajahn Chah. Plus more from Ajahn Chah and more Suffering sayings from other authors." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c9c/ajahn-chah-4829_chicken_if-you-want-a-chicken-to-be-a-duck-and-a_3040685.png" --- > [If you want a chicken to be a duck, and a duck to be a chicken, you will suffer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/if-you-want-a-chicken-to-be-a-duck-and-a-duck-to-be-a-chicken-you/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c9c/ajahn-chah-4829_chicken_if-you-want-a-chicken-to-be-a-duck-and-a_3040685.png) > [If we see suffering then we don't have suffering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/if-we-see-suffering-then-we-don-t-have-suffering/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/863/ajahn-chah-4829_funny_if-we-see-suffering-then-we-don-t-have-s_2768855.png) > [If you see certainty in that which is uncertain, you are bound to suffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/if-you-see-certainty-in-that-which-is-uncertain-you-are-bound-to/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/976/ajahn-chah-4829_bounds_if-you-see-certainty-in-that-which-is-un_483951.png) > [We don't meditate to see heaven, but to end suffering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/we-don-t-meditate-to-see-heaven-but-to-end-suffering/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90f/ajahn-chah-4829_ends_we-don-t-meditate-to-see-heaven-but-to-e_60278.png) > [There are two kinds of suffering. There is the suffering you run away from, which follows you everywhere. And there is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/there-are-two-kinds-of-suffering-there-is-the-suffering-you-run-away/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0e/ajahn-chah-4829_beautiful_there-are-two-kinds-of-suffering-there-i_2803604.png) > [Happiness and suffering do not depend on being poor or rich, they depend on having the right or wrong understanding in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/happiness-and-suffering-do-not-depend-on-being-poor-or-rich-they/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/349/ajahn-chah-4829_depends_happiness-and-suffering-do-not-depend-on_3143707.png) > [Don’t be attached to visions or lights in meditation, don’t rise or fall with them. What’s so great about brightness? My flashlight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/don-t-be-attached-to-visions-or-lights-in-meditation-don-t-rise-or/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89c/ajahn-chah-4829_brightness_don-t-be-attached-to-visions-or-lights-i_2411864.png) > [Things are simply the way they are. They don't give us suffering. Like a thorn: Does a sharp thorn give us suffering?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/things-are-simply-the-way-they-are-they-don-t-give-us-suffering-like/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b8a/ajahn-chah-4829_doe_things-are-simply-the-way-they-are-they_295332.png) > [Whenever we feel that we are definitely right, so much so that we refuse to open up to anything or anybody else,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/whenever-we-feel-that-we-are-definitely-right-so-much-so-that-we/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e5/ajahn-chah-4829_arise_whenever-we-feel-that-we-are-definitely_1129270.jpg) > [Do not be a bodhisattva, do not be an arahant, do not be anything at all. If you are a bodhisattva, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/do-not-be-a-bodhisattva-do-not-be-an-arahant-do-not-be-anything-at/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/30b/ajahn-chah-4829_bodhisattva_do-not-be-a-bodhisattva-do-not-be-an-ara_2547346.png) > [Peace is within oneself to be found in the same place as agitation and suffering. It is not found in a forest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/peace-is-within-oneself-to-be-found-in-the-same-place-as-agitation/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/727/ajahn-chah-4829_agitation_peace-is-within-oneself-to-be-found-in-t_2596925.png) > [Just know what is happening in your mind - not happy or sad about it, not attached. If you suffer see it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/just-know-what-is-happening-in-your-mind-not-happy-or-sad-about-it/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/219/ajahn-chah-4829_empty_just-know-what-is-happening-in-your-mind_1204281.png) > [If you want to understand suffering you must look into the situation at hand. The teachings say that wherever a problem arises…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/if-you-want-to-understand-suffering-you-must-look-into-the-situation/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/120/ajahn-chah-4829_arise_if-you-want-to-understand-suffering-you_1112025.png) > [When we sit in meditation and hear a sound, we think, 'Oh, that sound's bothering me.' If we see it like this,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/when-we-sit-in-meditation-and-hear-a-sound-we-think-oh-that-sound-s/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/259/ajahn-chah-4829_bother_when-we-sit-in-meditation-and-hear-a-sou_1938923.png) > [One man watches a river flow by. If he does not wish it to flow, to change ceaselessly in accord with its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/one-man-watches-a-river-flow-by-if-he-does-not-wish-it-to-flow-to/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/824/ajahn-chah-4829_accord_one-man-watches-a-river-flow-by-if-he-do_2718991.jpg) > [A woman wanted to know how to deal with anger. I asked when anger arose whose anger it was. She said it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/a-woman-wanted-to-know-how-to-deal-with-anger-i-asked-when-anger/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/afc/ajahn-chah-4829_able_a-woman-wanted-to-know-how-to-deal-with_115715.png) ## Other authors on Suffering - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b010/author-frederick-lenz-36205.jpg) Frederick Lenz 129 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/frederick-lenz/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b019/author-paulo-coelho-74345.jpg) Paulo Coelho 101 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/paulo-coelho/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b007/author-dalai-lama-26000.jpg) Dalai Lama 98 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/dalai-lama/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b010/author-friedrich-nietzsche-36363.jpg) Friedrich Nietzsche 76 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/friedrich-nietzsche/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b010/author-gautama-buddha-37107.jpg) Gautama Buddha 74 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/gautama-buddha/) - [Dada Bhagwan 72 quotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/dada-bhagwan/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b008/author-eckhart-tolle-31242.jpg) Eckhart Tolle 71 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/eckhart-tolle/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b018/author-nhat-hanh-70939.jpg) Nhat Hanh 70 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/nhat-hanh/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b016/author-mahatma-gandhi-62675.jpg) Mahatma Gandhi 52 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/mahatma-gandhi/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b024/author-viktor-e-frankl-93688.jpg) Viktor E. Frankl 49 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/viktor-e-frankl/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b013/author-john-green-51499.jpg) John Green 47 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/john-green/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b019/author-pema-chodron-74476.jpg) Pema Chodron 44 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/pema-ch-dr-n/) ## More by Ajahn Chah > [If you have time to be mindful, you have time to meditate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/if-you-have-time-to-be-mindful-you-have-time-to-meditate/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) > [Letting go a little brings a little peace. Letting go a lot brings a lot of peace. Letting go completely brings complete peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/letting-go-a-little-brings-a-little-peace-letting-go-a-lot-brings-a/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) > [Mindfulness is life. Whenever we don’t have mindfulness, when we are heedless, it’s as if we are dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/mindfulness-is-life-whenever-we-don-t-have-mindfulness-when-we-are/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) > [We don't meditate to see heaven, but to end suffering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/we-don-t-meditate-to-see-heaven-but-to-end-suffering/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) > [Some people are afraid of generosity. They feel they will be taken advantage of or oppressed. In cultivating generosity, we are only oppressing our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/some-people-are-afraid-of-generosity-they-feel-they-will-be-taken/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) > [Anything which is troubling you, anything which is irritating you, THAT is your teacher.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/anything-which-is-troubling-you-anything-which-is-irritating-you-that/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) > [Know and watch your heart. It's pure but emotions come to colour it. So let your mind be like a tightly woven net to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/know-and-watch-your-heart-it-s-pure-but-emotions-come-to-colour-it-so/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) > [A woman wanted to know how to deal with anger. I asked when anger arose whose anger it was. She said it was hers.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/a-woman-wanted-to-know-how-to-deal-with-anger-i-asked-when-anger/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) > [Sati is life. Whenever we don't have sati, when we are heedless, it's as if we are dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/sati-is-life-whenever-we-don-t-have-sati-when-we-are-heedless-it-s-as/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) > [In practice, some come to see easily, some with difficulty. But whatever the case, never mind. Difficult or easy, the Buddha said not to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/in-practice-some-come-to-see-easily-some-with-difficulty-but-whatever/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) > [When sitting in meditation, say, "That's not my business!" with every thought that comes by.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/when-sitting-in-meditation-say-that-s-not-my-business-with-every/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) > [Proper effort is not the effort to make something particular happen. It is the effort to be aware and awake each moment, the effort…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/proper-effort-is-not-the-effort-to-make-something-particular-happen/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) > [Regarding this Dhamma, it is not something that we can simply talk about or take another's word for it. We need to develop meditation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/regarding-this-dhamma-it-is-not-something-that-we-can-simply-talk/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) > [These days people don't search for the Truth. People study simply in order to find knowledge necessary to make a living, raise families and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/these-days-people-don-t-search-for-the-truth-people-study-simply-in/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) > [Things are simply the way they are. They don't give us suffering. Like a thorn: Does a sharp thorn give us suffering? No. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/things-are-simply-the-way-they-are-they-don-t-give-us-suffering-like/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "ItemList", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/ajahn-chah/#itemlist", "name": "16 Suffering Quotes By Ajahn Chah", "numberOfItems": 16, "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you want a chicken to be a duck, and a duck to be a chicken, you will suffer.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/if-you-want-a-chicken-to-be-a-duck-and-a-duck-to-be-a-chicken-you/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c9c/ajahn-chah-4829_chicken_if-you-want-a-chicken-to-be-a-duck-and-a_3040685.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c9c/ajahn-chah-4829_chicken_if-you-want-a-chicken-to-be-a-duck-and-a_3040685.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c9c/ajahn-chah-4829_chicken_if-you-want-a-chicken-to-be-a-duck-and-a_3040685.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you want a chicken to be a duck, and a duck to be a chicken, you will suffer.” — Ajahn Chah", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If we see suffering then we don't have suffering.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/if-we-see-suffering-then-we-don-t-have-suffering/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/863/ajahn-chah-4829_funny_if-we-see-suffering-then-we-don-t-have-s_2768855.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/863/ajahn-chah-4829_funny_if-we-see-suffering-then-we-don-t-have-s_2768855.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/863/ajahn-chah-4829_funny_if-we-see-suffering-then-we-don-t-have-s_2768855.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If we see suffering then we don't have suffering.” — Ajahn Chah", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you see certainty in that which is uncertain, you are bound to suffer", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/if-you-see-certainty-in-that-which-is-uncertain-you-are-bound-to/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/976/ajahn-chah-4829_bounds_if-you-see-certainty-in-that-which-is-un_483951.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/976/ajahn-chah-4829_bounds_if-you-see-certainty-in-that-which-is-un_483951.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/976/ajahn-chah-4829_bounds_if-you-see-certainty-in-that-which-is-un_483951.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you see certainty in that which is uncertain, you are bound to suffer” — Ajahn Chah", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We don't meditate to see heaven, but to end suffering.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/we-don-t-meditate-to-see-heaven-but-to-end-suffering/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90f/ajahn-chah-4829_ends_we-don-t-meditate-to-see-heaven-but-to-e_60278.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90f/ajahn-chah-4829_ends_we-don-t-meditate-to-see-heaven-but-to-e_60278.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90f/ajahn-chah-4829_ends_we-don-t-meditate-to-see-heaven-but-to-e_60278.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We don't meditate to see heaven, but to end suffering.” — Ajahn Chah", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 5, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There are two kinds of suffering. There is the suffering you run away from, which follows you everywhere. And there is the suffering you face directly, and so become free.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/there-are-two-kinds-of-suffering-there-is-the-suffering-you-run-away/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0e/ajahn-chah-4829_beautiful_there-are-two-kinds-of-suffering-there-i_2803604.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0e/ajahn-chah-4829_beautiful_there-are-two-kinds-of-suffering-there-i_2803604.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0e/ajahn-chah-4829_beautiful_there-are-two-kinds-of-suffering-there-i_2803604.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There are two kinds of suffering. There is the suffering you run away from, which follows you everywhere…” — Ajahn Chah", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 6, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Happiness and suffering do not depend on being poor or rich, they depend on having the right or wrong understanding in our mind.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/happiness-and-suffering-do-not-depend-on-being-poor-or-rich-they/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/349/ajahn-chah-4829_depends_happiness-and-suffering-do-not-depend-on_3143707.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/349/ajahn-chah-4829_depends_happiness-and-suffering-do-not-depend-on_3143707.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/349/ajahn-chah-4829_depends_happiness-and-suffering-do-not-depend-on_3143707.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Happiness and suffering do not depend on being poor or rich, they depend on having the right or wrong…” — Ajahn Chah", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 7, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Don’t be attached to visions or lights in meditation, don’t rise or fall with them. What’s so great about brightness? My flashlight has it. It can’t help us rid ourselves of our suffering.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/don-t-be-attached-to-visions-or-lights-in-meditation-don-t-rise-or/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89c/ajahn-chah-4829_brightness_don-t-be-attached-to-visions-or-lights-i_2411864.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89c/ajahn-chah-4829_brightness_don-t-be-attached-to-visions-or-lights-i_2411864.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89c/ajahn-chah-4829_brightness_don-t-be-attached-to-visions-or-lights-i_2411864.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Don’t be attached to visions or lights in meditation, don’t rise or fall with them. What’s so great about…” — Ajahn Chah", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 8, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Things are simply the way they are. They don't give us suffering. Like a thorn: Does a sharp thorn give us suffering? No. It's simply a thorn. It doesn't give suffering to anybody. If we step on it, we suffer immediately. Why do we suffer? Because we stepped on it. So the suffering comes from us.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/things-are-simply-the-way-they-are-they-don-t-give-us-suffering-like/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b8a/ajahn-chah-4829_doe_things-are-simply-the-way-they-are-they_295332.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b8a/ajahn-chah-4829_doe_things-are-simply-the-way-they-are-they_295332.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b8a/ajahn-chah-4829_doe_things-are-simply-the-way-they-are-they_295332.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Things are simply the way they are. They don't give us suffering. Like a thorn: Does a sharp thorn give us…” — Ajahn Chah", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 9, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Whenever we feel that we are definitely right, so much so that we refuse to open up to anything or anybody else, right there we are wrong. It becomes wrong view. When suffering arises, where does it arise from? The cause is wrong view, the fruit of that being suffering. If it was right view it wouldn't cause suffering.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/whenever-we-feel-that-we-are-definitely-right-so-much-so-that-we/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e5/ajahn-chah-4829_arise_whenever-we-feel-that-we-are-definitely_1129270.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e5/ajahn-chah-4829_arise_whenever-we-feel-that-we-are-definitely_1129270.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e5/ajahn-chah-4829_arise_whenever-we-feel-that-we-are-definitely_1129270.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Whenever we feel that we are definitely right, so much so that we refuse to open up to anything or anybody…” — Ajahn Chah", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 10, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Do not be a bodhisattva, do not be an arahant, do not be anything at all. If you are a bodhisattva, you will suffer, if you are an arahant, you will suffer, if you are anything at all, you will suffer.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/do-not-be-a-bodhisattva-do-not-be-an-arahant-do-not-be-anything-at/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/30b/ajahn-chah-4829_bodhisattva_do-not-be-a-bodhisattva-do-not-be-an-ara_2547346.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/30b/ajahn-chah-4829_bodhisattva_do-not-be-a-bodhisattva-do-not-be-an-ara_2547346.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/30b/ajahn-chah-4829_bodhisattva_do-not-be-a-bodhisattva-do-not-be-an-ara_2547346.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Do not be a bodhisattva, do not be an arahant, do not be anything at all. If you are a bodhisattva, you will…” — Ajahn Chah", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 11, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Peace is within oneself to be found in the same place as agitation and suffering. It is not found in a forest or on a hilltop, nor is it given by a teacher. Where you experience suffering, you can also find freedom from suffering. Trying to run away from suffering is actually to run toward it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/peace-is-within-oneself-to-be-found-in-the-same-place-as-agitation/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/727/ajahn-chah-4829_agitation_peace-is-within-oneself-to-be-found-in-t_2596925.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/727/ajahn-chah-4829_agitation_peace-is-within-oneself-to-be-found-in-t_2596925.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/727/ajahn-chah-4829_agitation_peace-is-within-oneself-to-be-found-in-t_2596925.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Peace is within oneself to be found in the same place as agitation and suffering. It is not found in a…” — Ajahn Chah", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 12, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Just know what is happening in your mind - not happy or sad about it, not attached. If you suffer see it, know it, and be empty. It's like a letter - you have to open it before you can know what's in it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/just-know-what-is-happening-in-your-mind-not-happy-or-sad-about-it/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/219/ajahn-chah-4829_empty_just-know-what-is-happening-in-your-mind_1204281.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/219/ajahn-chah-4829_empty_just-know-what-is-happening-in-your-mind_1204281.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/219/ajahn-chah-4829_empty_just-know-what-is-happening-in-your-mind_1204281.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Just know what is happening in your mind - not happy or sad about it, not attached. If you suffer see it…” — Ajahn Chah", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 13, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you want to understand suffering you must look into the situation at hand. The teachings say that wherever a problem arises it must be settled right there. Where suffering lies is right where non-suffering will arise, it ceases at the place where it arises. If suffering arises you must contemplate right there, you don't have to run away. You should settle the issue right there. One who runs away from suffering out of fear is the most foolish person of all. He will simply increases his stupidity endlessly.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/if-you-want-to-understand-suffering-you-must-look-into-the-situation/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/120/ajahn-chah-4829_arise_if-you-want-to-understand-suffering-you_1112025.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/120/ajahn-chah-4829_arise_if-you-want-to-understand-suffering-you_1112025.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/120/ajahn-chah-4829_arise_if-you-want-to-understand-suffering-you_1112025.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you want to understand suffering you must look into the situation at hand. 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You see that actually it was you who went out and disturbed the sound.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/when-we-sit-in-meditation-and-hear-a-sound-we-think-oh-that-sound-s/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/259/ajahn-chah-4829_bother_when-we-sit-in-meditation-and-hear-a-sou_1938923.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/259/ajahn-chah-4829_bother_when-we-sit-in-meditation-and-hear-a-sou_1938923.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/259/ajahn-chah-4829_bother_when-we-sit-in-meditation-and-hear-a-sou_1938923.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When we sit in meditation and hear a sound, we think, 'Oh, that sound's bothering me.' If we see it like…” — Ajahn Chah", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 15, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "One man watches a river flow by. If he does not wish it to flow, to change ceaselessly in accord with its nature, he will suffer great pain. Another man understands that nature of the river is to change constantly, regardless of his likes and dislikes, and therefore he does not suffer. 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Its all a deception.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/a-woman-wanted-to-know-how-to-deal-with-anger-i-asked-when-anger/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/afc/ajahn-chah-4829_able_a-woman-wanted-to-know-how-to-deal-with_115715.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/afc/ajahn-chah-4829_able_a-woman-wanted-to-know-how-to-deal-with_115715.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/afc/ajahn-chah-4829_able_a-woman-wanted-to-know-how-to-deal-with_115715.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A woman wanted to know how to deal with anger. I asked when anger arose whose anger it was. 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