Unexpected Freedom

Unexpected FreedomSanctuaryIt’s also important to have places that we can go, places likethis monastery, which are sanctuaries. I feel strongly that tohave a place like this to go to, a place consecrated to truthand reality, is a great solace. You don’t have to be famous orpopular or good-looking or wealthy to go to a monastery;the doors are open, and there’s no charge for staying. Youcan bring your suffering, offer it up and feel it received. Thisis a great comfort and a skilful way of dealing with suffering.And as one teacher I lived with told us, “Don’t wait until youhave a problem before establishing a relationship.” He wastalking at the time about relating to a teacher but theprinciple holds true for a place of sanctuary as well. Just aswhen we move into a new town we would sensibly findourselves a good doctor and not wait until we were sick, it islikewise sensible to become acquainted with places andgroups that might be available to us before we find ourselvesfeeling challenged.The Place of RitualThe ritual practices that we’re encouraged to cultivate arealso skilful ways of finding comfort in practice. Dedicatingpuñña or merit is something that one can do, particularly atfunerals and such sad occasions, when we might feelhelpless in the face of our suffering. The people who cametoday – there was nothing they could do to bring back theirson, their brother, their friend, who had passed away. But tobe able to do something wholesome, to generate somegoodness, is comforting. A traditional Buddhist way ofgenerating goodness is to come to the monastery, a placededicated to reality, and to make a gesture of support to the104