The 29th Step: The Sight of a True Monk
It is true that all people hate suffering and aspire to happiness.
Happiness can be divided into two main kinds:
1) Happiness that relies on or attaches to external objects and sensuality.
2) Happiness that originates from within,unattached to the external objects and sensuality, and derives from a deep and peaceful mind due to meditation. At this pure state of mind, wisdom and genuine bliss will rise to these attainers of Dhamma.
When comparing both kinds of happiness, the happiness that comes from within, from inner peace, is for the best and incomparable to the others.
Some people who are not accustomed to meditation might find it hard to understand. Even though they have read about it from many books, it is still difficult for them to comprehend. However, such happiness is beyond our worldly thinking; it requires individual experience. As long as they associate with the ones who have attained happiness from within, they will come to understand the idea of following that person's practice.
The only type of person who can teach laypeople how to mediate and attain happiness from within is a "Samana" or a monk.
Who is a monk?
Monk means peace. He is the person whose physical, verbal, and mental actions are completely free from unwholesomeness and are in accordance to the 227 precepts and Dhamma disciplines of the monk's life.
Upon seeing a monk, one will be inspired by the Dhamma, the Buddha's teaching. A metaphor for this definition is that a bomb when lit will explode and show Its colossal power. In the same way, one's inherent intellect and ability would be stimulated and put into application by his association with a monk. For instance, even Prince Siddhartha who possessed outstanding wisdom had to initially see a monk before he was inspired to search for Dhamma. Eventually, he attained enlightenment and became the Buddha.
