..續本文上一頁o change the Dhamma to be different from what it is. We want to correct the Dhamma, and we keep working at that.

　　This trip made me think about many things.... I met some people who practice yoga. It was certainly interesting to see the kinds of postures they could get into - I”d break my leg if I tried. Anyhow, they feel their joints and muscles aren”t right, so they have to stretch them out. They need to do it every day, then they feel good. I thought they were actually giving themselves some affliction through this. If they don”t do it, they don”t feel good, so they have to do it every day. It seems to me that they are making some burden for themselves this way and are not really being aware.

　　That”s the way people are - they get into the habit of doing something. I met one Chinese man. He didn”t lie down to sleep for four or five years. He only sat, and he was comfortable that way. He bathed once a year. But his body was strong and healthy. He didn”t need to run or do other such exercises; if he did, he probably wouldn”t feel good. It”s because he trained himself that way.

　　So it”s just our manner of training that makes us comfortable with certain things. We can increase or decrease illness through training. This is how it is for us. Thus the Buddha taught to be fully aware of ourselves - don”t let this slip. All of you, don”t have grasping attachment. Don”t let yourselves be excited by things.

　　For example, living here in our native country, in the company of spiritual friends and teachers, we feel comfortable. Actually, there isn”t really anything so comfortable about it. It”s like small fish living in a large pond. They swim around comfortably. If a large fish is put in a small pond, it would feel cramped. When we are here in our own country, we are comfortable with the food and dwellings we have, and many other things. If we go somewhere everything is different, then we are like the big fish in the small pond.

　　Here in Thailand we have our distinct culture, and we are satisfied when everyone acts properly according to our customs. If someone comes here and violates our customs, we aren”t happy about that. Now we are small fish in the large pond. If large fish have to live in a small pond, how will it be for them

　　It”s the same for natives of other countries. When they are in their home land and everything is familiar, they are comfortable with those conditions - small fish in a big pond. If they come to Thailand and have to adapt to different conditions and customs, it can be oppressive for them - like the big fish in the small pond. Eating, getting around, everything is different. The big fish is in a small pond now, and it can”t swim freely anymore.

　　The habits and attachments of beings differ like this. One person may be stuck on the left side, another is stuck on the right side. So the best thing for us to do is to be aware. Be aware of customs in the different places we go. If we have Dhamma custom, then we can smoothly adapt to society”s customs, abroad or at home. If we don”t understand Dhamma custom, then there”s no way to get along. Dhamma custom is the meeting point for all cultures and traditions.

　　I”ve heard the words of the Buddha that say, ””When you don”t understand someone”s language, when you don”t understand their way of speaking, when you don”t understand their ways of doing things in their land, you shouldn”t be proud or put on airs.”” I can attest to these words - they are a true standard in all times and places. They came back to me when I traveled abroad, and I put them into practice these last two years when I was outside of our country. They”re useful.

　　Before I held tightly; now I hold, but not tightly. I pick something up to look at it, then I let it go. Before, I would pick things up and…

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