This small book began life as a Dhamma talk given in the Thai language. After I had edited the transcribed version it was printed in Thailand under the title Lak Rak. One of the readers of that book, Varangkana Lamsam, found it useful and decided that she would like to arrange the printing of an English version as a gift of Dhamma to fellow lay Buddhists. Her cousin Pimkaeo Sundaravej, who had received the book from her, translated it. For my part I have edited the manuscript and clarified some points of Dhamma that I feel were a little vague in my own original discourse. I would like to express my appreciation of the efforts of both Varangkana and Pimkaeo to make this book possible.

May the virtues of the Triple Gem guide and protect all who read this book. Ajahn Jayasaro

Originally This is the Path was compiled and printed by Wat Buddha Dhamma commemorating Tan Ajahn Dtun’s first visit to their monastery. For this second edition, a certain amount of editing of the original text has been done. This was not due to any errors in the actual translation, but rather to correct any remaining spelling mistakes along with the re-arranging of personal pronouns and tenses. And so it is hoped that it will make for smoother reading without changing the meaning of the original text in any way. Also an additional talk, Developing the Brahma Vihāras, has been included along with some question and answers. This balances the contents out to being two talks for lay people and two talks for monastics, although laypeople dedicated to Dhamma practice are sure to derive benefit all the same. Translating extemporaneous Dhamma talks into a written form is often a difficult task of finding the right balance between literal consistency to the spoken word and grammatical correctness – readability. The translator has always felt obliged to stay close to the spoken word owing to his relative inexperience in Dhamma practice.