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Arahantship, the final goal. Don't stop short. Just keep on going until you have reached end of the road, he said.
The article which I wrote at Sayadaw's request, "The Noble Buddha's Noble Wishes", included the saying of the Buddha above. In that article, the author noted the way the Buddha urged and aroused people.
Do not be satisfied being left with the gristle and tendons of the Buddha's teachings, rather go for the meat.
Don't just rub on the ointment, swallow the pill.
The kilesâs, those inner foes so much more fearsome than the outer ones, subdue with the weapon of Satipatthana.
Don't gather the twigs and branches of the Sâsana tree, rather go for the heartwood.
Strive with Satipatthana mindfulness to earn the name 'one who lives with the Dhamma'.
Continue travelling, headed straight for the final goal of the teachings.
Most likely Sayadaw has met those who stay satisfied with just the gristle and tendons of the Sâsana, over and over again, all over the place. No doubt he has urged people to try a taste of the meat, over and over again. Those who do experience the taste of the meat come to understand well the difference between the taste of the gristle and tendon and that of the meat. They come to have right view, realizing that they had been wrong, before they had tasted the meat, in thinking that the taste of the gristle and tendon was indeed the best. They also come to appreciate that it isn't because Sayadaw wants to put down those who are satisfied with just the taste of the gristle and tendon that speaks so, rather he is speaking with karuna (compassion) and mettâ (lovingkindness). Before long they come to be grateful to Sayadaw. The recognize him as their benefactor. They come to appreciate how much the Sâsana really needs Sayadaws who explain the difference between the gristle and the meat that way. Although before they gained this clear perspective they might have disliked Sayadaw for speaking in this way, almost putting people down, with this newfound clarity they can no longer dislike him. They revere him their whole lives. They come to depend on him.
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