Did the Buddha encourage his followers to spread the dhamma?

[Bhikkhu Pesala]

Nobody likes to confront unpleasant physical and mental feelings, or to eat food that tastes disagreeable to them, but suffering has to be understood; craving (and aversion) has to be abandoned to realise the cessation of suffering.

Aversion to salty, sour, and bitter tastes is largely conditioned. Some foods and medicines may be disagreeable to the taste, but are beneficial to one's health.

To develop concentration and mindfulness, one has to patiently observe unpleasant sensations. After some time one develops tolerance, and gains insight into the three characteristics. Pain is not a problem for the meditator who has developed concentration. "No pain; no gain," as the saying goes.

There is no need to inflict pain on yourself, but when it arises do not shy away from it.

From Vipassanā Meditation Guidelines

Pain and Patience

• Pain is the friend of the meditator. Do not evade it. It can lead you to nibbāna.
• Pain does not have to inform you of its coming. It may not disappear, but if it does, you may cry over it, for your friend has gone away.
• Pain is observed not to make it go away, but to realise its true nature.
• Pain is the key to the door of nibbāna.
• When concentration is good, pain is not a problem. It is a natural process. If you observe it attentively, the mind will be absorbed in it, and discover its true nature.
• When pain comes, note it directly. Ignore it only if it becomes overpoweringly persistent. It can be overcome by deep concentration brought about by continuous mindfulness.
• If intense pain arises during walking meditation, stop occasionally and take note of it.
• Be patient with anything and everything that stimulates your mind.
• Patience leads to nibbāna— impatience leads to hell.

[befriend]

Thanks very helpful

[wenjaforever]

Arahats are Buddhas who don't spread the dharma. But I personally do spread the dharma. Sometimes. In a particular sense anyways. Are you familiar with the concept of original sin? In Islam this is called jariya. If the first deed causes a ripple effect, other deeds being done caused by the first deed, then the effects would fall back to the initiator. A chain reaction basically.