..续本文上一页r it”s vegetables, meat, fish, or rice — is pure in three ways in that he hasn”t seen or heard or suspected that an animal was killed to provide the food specifically for him, and also that he himself obtained the food in an ethical way, that the lay people donated it out of faith, then he should go ahead and eat that food. This is how our teachers have practiced as well."
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63. Still more on eating
On the second day of the waning moon in the third month of 1979, Luang Pu was staying at Prakhonchai Forest Monastery. After 8 p.m. a group of monks who liked to wander around, pitching their tents near populated areas, came to the monastery to spend the night there, too. After paying their respects to Luang Pu, they talked about what they felt was the outstanding feature of their practice, saying, "Those who eat meat are supporting the killing of animals. Those who eat only vegetables show a high degree of compassion. The proof of this is that when you convert to eating just vegetables, the mind becomes more peaceful and cool."
Luang Pu responded,
"That”s very good. The fact that you can be vegetarians is very good, and I”d like to express my admiration. As for those who still eat meat, if that meat is pure in three ways — in that they haven”t seen or heard or suspected that an animal was killed to provide the food specifically for them — and they obtained it in a pure way, then eating the meat is in no way against the Dhamma and Vinaya. But when you say that your mind becomes peaceful and cool, that”s the result of the strength that comes from being intent on practicing correctly in line with the Dhamma and Vinaya. It has nothing to do with the new food or old in your stomach at all."
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64. Business practices & Dhamma practice
A group of merchants said, "We have our duties as merchants, which means that sometimes we have to exaggerate things or take excessive profits, but we”re extremely interested in practicing concentration and have already started practicing. Some people have told us, though, that, with our livelihood, we can”t practice meditation. What do you say about this, Luang Pu
For they say that selling for a profit is a sin."
Luang Pu said,
"In order to survive, every person needs an occupation, and every occupation has its own standards of what”s right and appropriate. When you follow those standards in a proper way, that counts as neutral — not meritorious, not sinful. As for practicing the Dhamma, that”s something you should do, for only those who practice the Dhamma are fit to work in all circumstances."
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65. Buried memories
Once when Luang Pu was staying at Yothaaprasit Forest Monastery, a large number of monks and novices came to pay their respects. After they had listened to his teachings, Luang Taa Ploi — who had ordained when he was old but was well restrained in his practice — said to Luang Pu, "I”ve ordained for a fairly long time now, but I can”t yet cut my attachments to the past. No matter how firmly I set my mind on the present, I find that mindfulness lapses and I keep slipping back. Could you tell me another method to stop this sort of thing
"
Luang Pu responded,
"Don”t let the mind run out after external preoccupations. If your mindfulness lapses, then as soon as you”re aware of it, immediately pull it back. Don”t let it go looking into preoccupations that are good or bad, pleasant or painful. Don”t fall in line with them, but don”t use force to cut them off."
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66. In…
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