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

Reflections after the
Patimokkha Recitation
A teaching given after the fortnightly recitation of the
patimokkha, the 227 training rules of the monks at Wat
Nong Pah Pong on June 26 th , 2006.
What we have just listened to are the monastic training rules,
or the prohibitions laid down by the Buddha. All these training
rules are about actions that should not be done. They are called
“akaraniyakicca”, things not to be done. Going ahead regardless,
and acting against these rules won’t lead to wholesome feelings,
as the Buddha put it. We use these rules as our basis and as our
roots, although they are presented in the original Pali language.
Pali is a language that has lasted over two thousand years. If we
don’t understand the meaning, when we are recollecting and
reciting the rules together now, we should look it up in a language
that we understand.
We need to give these things attention, as they concern our
ethical standards (sila). In order to keep these standards we need
to refrain from certain actions and lead our lives possessing
Dhamma. This means being equipped with certain qualities. Even
for Bhikkhus new to the Dhamma-Vinaya the Buddha specifies
certain qualities one should possess.
We understand that the physical, material aspects of our body
are merely external things. It is the Dhamma that we need to equip
ourselves with in our lives. At the least, we all have to fulfil
certain obligations towards ourselves, and, for fulfilling these,
80