..續本文上一頁nd merit-making. Various other disciples of mine questioned this, saying, "If they”re ordained as Buddhists, how can they celebrate Christmas

　　 Isn”t this a Christian holiday

　　"

　　In my Dharma talk, I explained how all people in the world are fundamentally the same. Calling them Europeans, Americans, or Thais just indicates where they were born or the color of their hair, but they all have basically the same kind of minds and bodies; all belong to the same family of people being born, growing old, and dying. When you understand this, differences become unimportant. Similarly, if Christmas is an occasion where people make a particular effort to do what is good and kind and helpful to others in some way, that”s important and wonderful, no matter what system you use to describe it.

　　So I told the villagers, ”Today we”ll call this Chrisbuddhamas. As long as people are practicing properly, they”re practicing Christ-Buddhism, and things are

　　I teach this way to enable people to let go of their attachments to various concepts and to see what is happening in a straightforward and natural way. Anything that inspires us to see what is true and do what is good is proper practice. You may call it anything you like.

　　Q: Do you think that the minds of Asians and Westerners are different

　　A: Basically, there is no difference. Outer customs and language may appear different, but the human mind has natural characteristics that are the same for all people. Greed and hatred are the same in an Eastern or a Western mind. Suffering and the cessation of suffering are the same for all people.

　　Q: Is it advisable to read a lot or to study the scriptures as a part of practice

　　A: The Dharma of the Buddha is not found in books. If you want to really see for yourself what the Buddha was talking about, you don”t need to bother with books. Watch your own mind. Examine to see how feelings and thoughts come and go. Don”t be attached to anything, just be mindful of whatever there is to see. This is the way to the truths of the Buddha. Be natural. Everything you do in your life here is a chance to practice. It is all Dharma. When you do your chores, try to be mindful. If you are emptying a spittoon or cleaning a toilet, don”t feel you are doing it as a favor for anyone else. There is Dharma in emptying spittoons. Don”t feel you are practicing only when sitting still, cross-legged. Some of you have complained that there is not enough time to meditate. Is there enough time to, breathe

　　 This is your meditation: mindfulness, naturalness, in whatever you do.

　　Q: Why don”t we have daily interviews with the teacher

　　A: If you have questions, you”re welcome to come and ask them any time. But we don”t need daily interviews here. If I answer your every little question, you will never understand the process of doubt in your own mind. It is essential that you learn to examine yourself, to interview yourself. Listen carefully to the lecture every few days, then use this teaching to compare with your own practice. Is it the same

　　 Is it different

　　 Do you have doubts

　　 Who is it that doubts

　　 Only through self-examination can you understand.

　　Q: What can I do about doubts

　　 Some days I”m plagued with doubts about the practice or my own progress or the teacher.

　　A: Doubting is natural. Everyone starts with doubts. You can learn a great deal from them. What is important is that you don”t identify with your doubts. That is, don”t get caught up in them, letting your mind spin in endless circles. Instead, watch the whole process of doubting, of wondering. See who it is that doubts. See how doubts come and go. Then you will no longer be victimized by your doubts. You will step outside of them, and your mind will be quiet. You can see how all things come and go. Just let go of what you”re…

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