their bad tendencies – even before they have seen enough sat-
isfactory results to encourage perseverance. Consequently, basic
character development is absolutely essential for all people. This
means that nothing should be done carelessly or thoughtlessly, for
once such tendencies become habitual they are difficult to correct.
The importance of this principle becomes apparent as we strive
to develop positive character traits until they become part of our
very nature; for instance: being reasonable about how and where
we travel; being reasonable about how we spend our money so
that everyone in the family benefits; and being reasonable in our
eating and sleeping habits so that we do not overindulge in them.
All such exemplary behavior patterns should be enthusiastically
developed until they become instinctive. The inner resistance we
meet in the early stages of training will naturally give way to a
smooth, easy character transformation. This transformation itself
is sufficient proof that character training is well within our capa-
bilities. But we must be willing to persevere in the beginning.
Training is required to make any kind of work successful.
Just as we must undergo training in order to succeed in our pro-
fessions, so the heart and mind must be trained in order to obtain
optimum results. Only after death are we beyond the need for
training. Wishing to gain proficiency in something, we must work
at it, practicing until we are well-skilled in it. Character train-
ing develops a skill which is synonymous with virtue. Take this
message to heart, consider it well, and put it into practice – your
efforts will surely be rewarded with a wealth of personal virtue.
Such was the gist of Ãcariya Mun’s teaching on character training.
I have included it here to help those who are developing Dhamma
in this way.
jacob rumans
(Jacob Rumans)
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