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

him to recite principles of the teachings that he had learned in
order to dispel the hindrances. In this way the patimokkha can be
helpful to our practice.
We should also try to do some further studies. One of the
qualifications mentioned by the Buddha of a monk who fulfils the
duties of a senior member in the Sangha is to know what
constitutes an offence, and the method of resolving it.
Further, the Buddha stated very clearly that a senior monk
needs to be one who is possessed with a sense of shame and fear
of wrong-doing (hiri-ottappa). One can’t do without these
qualities – to be equipped with a sense of shame prevents one
from proceeding with incorrect actions, and from transgressing
the rules of ethical conduct. This is what is meant by “sense of
shame”.
We must continue educating ourselves. This occasion of
chanting the patimokkha is an opportunity to demonstrate our
skills and show how much dedication we have toward these
duties. We don’t just let our lives pass senselessly. We should
build up things that benefit us. The skills we have developed
won’t be wasted. For sure, there will be situations where we need
them. It is like having a good immune-system warding off
obstacles. We should make an effort in this area.
Now that the rains retreat is about to begin, there is also an
opportunity for some of us to move to other monasteries that offer
good facilities for the development of the Samana-Dhamma, and
spend the rains retreat there. We change places in order to
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