Everyone of us comes into Dhamma through some friends. Isn't that true? We tend to forget that especially when we are reminded so often on being self reliant... paccattam veditabbo vinnuhi ti… to be attained by the wise, each by himself.
On many occasions, the Buddha emphasised the importance of having spiritual friends supporting one another in our journey out of samsara. Some notable examples were his own and Yasodhara, Venerable Sariputta and Venerable Moggallana and many more. The Buddha corrected Venerable Ananda that spiritual friendship is the whole, not half, of the spiritual life.
In many suttas (Raga-vinaya sutta, Sikkha Sutta, Chavalata Sutta, Hita Sutta, Sedaka Sutta) the Buddha explained the different kinds of practitioners and why when one practises for the benefit of oneself AND for the benefit of others is the foremost, the chief, the principal, the best and the supreme.
So, we encourage everyone not only to practice for oneself but do his part to share and help others in their spiritual journey too. We can recall how the Buddha exhorted the first 60 Arahants to go forth for the good of the many, for the happiness of many.
"There is so much misery all around. If we can wipe the tears of even a few people who are suffering, we have paid back a little of our debt of gratitude to the Buddha and to the Sangha, the chain of teachers who have maintained the tradition from ancient times. May all of you develop Dhamma strength. May you all keep growing in Dhamma, and help others to grow in Dhamma. May more and more people benefit from your service. May the wheel of Dhamma keep rotating. May the light of Dhamma spread throughout the world. May the darkness of ignorance be dispelled. May more and more people come out of their misery. May all beings be happy, be peaceful, be liberated!"
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