..续本文上一页hat I did, I did for renunciation and letting go. We don”t have to become experts in the scriptures. We”re getting older with every day that passes, and every day we pounce on a mirage, missing the real thing. Practicing the Dhamma is something quite different than studying it.

　　I don”t criticize any of the wide variety of meditation styles and techniques. As long as we understand their true purpose and meaning, they”re not wrong. However, calling ourselves Buddhist meditators, but not strictly following the monastic code of discipline (Vinaya) will, in my opinion, never meet with success. Why

　　 Because we try to bypass a vital section of the Path. Skipping over virtue, samadhi or wisdom won”t work. Some people may tell you not to get attached to the serenity of samatha meditation: ”Don”t bother with samatha; advance straight to the wisdom and insight practices of vipassana.” As I see it, if we attempt to detour straight to vipassana, we”ll find it impossible to successfully complete the journey.

　　Don”t forsake the style of practice and meditation techniques of the eminent Forest Masters, such as the Venerable Ajahns Sao, Mun, Taungrut, and Upali. The path they taught is utterly reliable and true - if we do it the way they did. If we follow in their footsteps, we”ll gain true insight into ourselves. Ajahn Sao cared for his virtue impeccably. He didn”t say we should bypass it. If these great masters of the Forest Tradition recommended practicing meditation and monastic etiquette in a particular way, then out of deep respect for them we should follow what they taught. If they said to do it, then do it. If they said to stop because it”s wrong, then stop. We do it out of faith. We do it with unwavering sincerity and determination. We do it until we see the Dhamma in our own hearts, until we are the Dhamma. This is what the Forest Masters taught. Their disciples consequently developed profound respect, awe and affection for them, because it was through following their path, that they saw what their teachers saw.

　　Give it a try. Do it just like I say. If you actually do it, you”ll see the Dhamma, be the Dhamma. If you actually undertake the search, what would stop you

　　 The defilements of the mind will be vanquished if you approach them with the right strategy: be someone who renounces, one who is frugal with words, who is content with little, and who abandons all views and opinions stemming from self-importance and conceit. You will then be able to patiently listen to anyone, even if what they”re saying is wrong. You will also be able to patiently listen to people when they”re right. Examine yourself in this way. I assure you, it”s possible, if you try. Scholars however, rarely come and put the Dhamma into practice. There are some, but they are few. It”s a shame. The fact that you”ve made it this far and have come to visit is already worthy of praise. It shows inner strength. Some monasteries only encourage studying. The monks study and study, on and on, with no end in sight, and never cut that which needs to be cut. They only study the word ”peace”. But if you can stop still, then you”ll discover something of real value. This is how you do research. This research is truly valuable and completely immobile. It goes straight to what you”ve been reading about. If scholars don”t practice meditation however, their knowledge has little understanding. Once they put the teachings into practice, those things which they have studied about, then become vivid and clear.

　　So start practicing! Develop this type of understanding. Give living in the forest a try and come stay in one of these tiny huts. Trying out this training for a while and testing it for yourself would be of far greater value than just reading books. Then you can have discussions wit…

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