The Path to Nibbana and the Challenges of Lay Life : หน้า 23/105

dure six arduous years of self-mortification before discovering Niramisasukha. During this period, the Buddha came close to death more than once, but when he finally found true happiness, he chose to share with us the wisdom of his experience by showing us the path to Nibbana, beginning with ordination. "He who lives outside Dhamma (the layperson), walks on a narrow path clouded from the truth. By embracing Dhamma, one is bathed in the light of truth. He who lives by worldly possessions will find that perfection and purity will remain beyond his reach. Therefore one must shave one’s head, don saffron robes, and ordain into a life free from worldly possessions." Sometimes in life, even when we desire to live according to the precepts, there are times when we must lie. For example, a secretary whose responsibility is to arrange meetings for his/her manager must sometimes lie when the manager does not wish to meet certain individuals. Even in professions held in high esteem, such as teachers, who are responsible for educating students and doctors who care for the health of the community – all are vulnerable to commit sins. There are many occupations where the nature of the job makes avoiding sin and bad kamma almost impossible. For example, farmers who must kill insects and livestock, military personnel, who must at times kill enemy soldiers, or sales people, who find it difficult to work without exaggerating. The life of a layperson is a narrow one where even the opportunity strictly to observe the Five Precepts is often compromised. The chance to live a life according to the Dhamma, and find inner peace is not easy.