Lessons In Practical Buddhism - Sirimangalo.Org
Lessons In Practical Buddhism - Sirimangalo.Org
Lessons In Practical Buddhism - Sirimangalo.Org
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We should not, therefore, think it wise to go entirely without<br />
these necessities of life. Nevertheless, even they may<br />
become hindrances on the path if we overindulge in them.<br />
Recognizing the fact that they are necessary, the Buddha<br />
pointed out the importance of proper use of the requisites;<br />
neither over-indulging nor forbearing to an excess. We must<br />
be mindful in our use of clothing, food, lodging and<br />
medicines, and try our best to limit our possessions to only<br />
those things that are necessary for living our lives in peace<br />
and comfort.<br />
The Buddha laid out very specific guidelines on how to make<br />
use of one’s possessions simply for their purpose. He taught<br />
that when we make use of something, we should reflect on<br />
its proper use, that we may use it only as appropriate.<br />
Reflecting with wisdom on our reasons for using our<br />
necessities of life, we come to distinguish between those<br />
things that are truly necessary and those that are merely<br />
indulgences. We also train ourselves in making proper use of<br />
those material requisites that are truly necessary, not<br />
indulging in excess even in regards to them.<br />
The first requisite we should reflect upon is our clothing. We<br />
should remind ourselves that we wear clothing simply for the<br />
purpose of covering our bodies and nothing more. When we<br />
recognize this as the sole purpose of clothing ourselves, then<br />
the clothes we wear will reflect this recognition, and our<br />
state of mind will remain clear and at ease. If, on the other<br />
hand, we think of clothes as for the purpose of sensual<br />
attraction, we will seek out clothes that make us attractive to<br />
others and our minds will be full of anxiety and stress in<br />
finding the perfect outfit, driven to distraction by the<br />
pleasure and conceit that comes from wearing beautiful<br />
clothing.<br />
If we are not careful in keeping to the proper use of clothing,<br />
it will become a hindrance in our practice, leading us to<br />
craving, clinging, attachment and suffering, making practice<br />
of the Buddha’s teaching all the more difficult. If on the<br />
other hand we make use of clothing simply to cover the<br />
nakedness of the body, to keep ourselves warm or cool, to<br />
protect it from the sun, to protect it from the wind, to protect<br />
it from insects, mosquitoes and so on, then it can even serve<br />
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