Luang Por Liem: The Ways of the Peaceful - Wat Pah Nanachat

We develop peaceful bodily conduct. Our body – each and
every part of it – should not be used in the manner of a fool. Our
conduct needs to be that of a wise man. That means to have
humility, an attitude of respect, and live in a subordinate way, not
getting carried away with our sense of self – one can say,
guarding ones body. Likewise, our speech also needs to be
guarded, as it can be the source of all kinds of good and bad
things. We need to know how to use speech in a good way. If our
speech is grounded in humility, it won't get us into trouble. In our
practice we need to keep observing ourselves for the sake of
protection – in every form, both in our bodily and verbal conduct
– applying mindfulness and keeping ourselves within the
standards of the monastic training. In this way we won't get into
confusion or low and vulgar mind states. Low-mindedness is a
trait of worldly beings that are capable of doing all kinds of bad
things or behave in degenerate ways. They are following the ways
of the unwholesome: anger, desire, and delusion.
Our becoming samanas should gradually give rise to changes
in a good direction. Having taken up the training we will have to
practice the lifestyle of one who sees how life can be beneficial.
We will have to give great attention to ourselves, developing the
qualities of honesty and straight-forwardness in our minds. We
should maintain good ethical conduct, and possess a sense of
shame towards doing bad (hiri). When one possesses a sense of
shame towards bad actions, one will also show fear (ottappa) and
be cautious, because one sees that bad deeds won’t lead to
freedom.
These are some things to keep in mind when we start training
ourselves. We follow the intention to keep sila and develop purity
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