it to become attached. Unless wisdom is present to effectively deal
with them, such disturbing emotional attachments can never be
eliminated. Wisdom can to be selective, ignoring what is super-
fluous to focus on what is essential thus indicating the direction
in which one’s practice should proceed.
“Our purpose in being ordained as Buddhist monks is to
search for knowledge and wisdom so that we can develop those
virtuous qualities admired by people everywhere. We aren’t here to
parade our ineptitude in front of the kilesas by succumbing to their
devious tricks, but rather to develop clever tactics of our own to
outmaneuver the kilesas, thus countering their tricks. Living with-
out an adequate means of protection, we leave ourselves in a very
precarious position. The principles of Dhamma and the monastic
discipline are a monk’s protective armor, while mindfulness and
wisdom are his preferred weapons. If we want to remain steady in
our practice and be constant in all situations, we must maintain
mindfulness and wisdom in all our daily activities. Mindfulness
and wisdom must permeate all that we think, say, or do – without
exception. Only then can we be certain of our mode of practice.
“I’d really like to see all my students display uncompromis-
ing diligence in their efforts to transcend dukkha, using mind-
fulness and wisdom to oversee this work. You will thus make
yourselves worthy recipients of the Buddha’s outstanding teaching
which stresses the importance of using skillful means in all cir-
cumstances. I have no desire to see my students floundering fool-
ishly in a state of confusion about emotional attachments because
complacency and laziness keep them from doing the work neces-
sary to carry them beyond these dangers. So don’t be indifferent
to the work at hand.
jacob rumans
(Jacob Rumans)
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