All living beings have the asura nature, and due to their idle thinking and attachments they become asuras. All living beings have the human nature and can become people. Because of their ignorant, idle thinking and attachments, they head off in the direction of people. The same applies to the three evil paths. All living beings have the animal nature and can become animals. Why? Because they have the attachments of animals. All living beings have the nature of hungry ghosts and can become hungry ghosts. If you do a lot of the ten evils of killing, stealing, lust, greed, hatred, stupidity, lying, indecent speech, harsh speech, and divisive speech, then you will turn into a hungry ghost. All living beings have the nature of hell-beings and can fall into the hells. If you are not careful when you are a human, then you may run off to the hells."

Because of the idle thinking and attachments we living beings of the nine Dharma-realms have, we become whatever we think about. If we can clear away the idle thoughts we have as living beings of the nine Dharma-realms, then even if we aren't trying to, we can soon become Buddhas. Why do I say this? Let me give an example that relates to our human world. In the past, only someone who was born into the position could become the emperor. None of the common people could become the emperor. If they did, it was because they had revolted and seized the throne. In present-day democratic countries, anyone can run for president and get elected. Every citizen has the right to run for president. In the same way, anyone can become a Buddha, provided they put good effort into their cultivation. In this respect, becoming a Buddha is similar to becoming the head-of-state. I don't know whether what I've said is true or false. If not, just consider it talking in a dream.

Now you can ask questions, but only ask simple questions. If your questions are too profound, we can let the Venerable Ajahn Sumedho answer them.

A local Bhikshu: In "The White Universe" [a verse by the Ven. Master], what does the line, "With two clenched fists, smash through the covering of empty space" mean?

Venerable Master: It doesn't mean anything. If it had any meaning, you' wouldn't be able to smash through empty space.

A layman: Are their any differences between your meditation practice and that taught by Ajahn Sumedho? If so, what are they?

Venerable Master: "For returning to the source, there are no two paths. But among expedient methods, there are many doors." This is just like the way you have your face, I have mine, and he has his. Although our faces are different, we are the same in that we are all human and have human minds. You can't expect everyone to be the same in all respects. It's the same principle here.

A layman: Is Guanshiyin Bodhisattva within the scope of your consideration?

Venerable Master: Who said he wasn't?

A local nun: I have heard that the Venerable Master "always sits and never lies down." How does the Master practice this, and for what reason?

Venerable Master: Has anyone said that I "sit little and lie down a lot"? This is not fixed. If you want to sit, then sit; if you want to lie down, then lie down. It doesn't matter whether other people say you sit or lie down. Why become attached to this? Whatever you are attached to becomes a burden. The most important thing for cultivators is never to have afflictions. Don't have afflictions while sitting, and don't have afflictions while lying down. The crucial thing is to cut off afflictions. Afflictions are endless; I vow to change them. Change afflictions into Bodhi. Afflictions are nonenlightenment; Bodhi is enlightenment.

If you can see through the things you encounter, you transcend the world. If you are confused by the things you encounter, you sink into confusion.

All the myriad phenomena in this world are speaking Dharma. Each person is speaking Dharma, every incident is speaking Dharma, and every object is speaking Dharma. All things speak Dharma. When we understand that all things speak Dharma, we should know what to do. As it's said,

When the mind is calm, demons are subdued and every day is happy. When idle thoughts do not arise, every place is peaceful.

I have a verse which goes:
Everything is a test to see what you will do . Mistaking what's before your face, you'll have to start anew.

Truly recognize your own faults.
Don't talk about the faults of others.
Others' faults are just my own.
Being of the same substance is called great compassion.

What need is there to defend oneself?
What's true and what's false
Becomes clear by itself in time.
The wise ones see what's true;
The ignorant ones do what's false.
The good ones learn from Bodhisattvas;
The bad ones dare to slander the Buddha.
Level and equal great kindness and compassion
Universally gather in all sentient beings.

The things I have said are things you already knew before. I am just reviewing them for you. Since I am Chinese and all of you are British or American, you can listen to the principles you already know and become more familiar with them.  

~ To be continued