Unexpected Freedom

What is Renunciation?which way. We think, ‘Why is that? Why is the mind goingoff? It’s not necessary, I have finished with that stuff, I wantto be quiet.’ This is what I mean by extra. So can we let go ofthe extra? Do we have that ability, that strength that enablessimply saying ‘no’ to the force of compulsion?Different from MoralityIt has to be understood that we’re not talking about moralissues here. Sometimes these two aspects of practice –morality and renunciation – become mixed up, and that isnot helpful. We’re not talking about the five precepts that weall know about: no killing, no stealing, no irresponsiblesexuality, no false speech, and no intoxicants. These aremoral matters that, if we neglect them, cause harm toourselves and harm to others. When we take up eightprecepts, the three more that are adopted are precepts ofrenunciation. The sixth precept is refraining from eating inthe evening and the seventh and eighth precepts are aboutgiving up entertainment, distraction, music, jewellery, andsleeping heedlessly. In addition, the third precept becomes arenunciant one, changing abstention from irresponsiblesexuality into celibacy (no intentional sexual activitywhatsoever). These are not issues of morality. Traditionallylay Buddhists are encouraged to take up the eight preceptsfor certain periods in order to cultivate this faculty ofrenunciation, to release out of habits of holding to that whichdoes not pertain to the goal. This is addressing matters ofskilfulness, not morality.If you’re inspired by this possibility and want to try it outI would encourage it but would suggest that you don’t tellanybody else that you are doing it. Let it be a force forlessening the load rather than for boosting a false sense of123