I recently saw a post in Facebook on a monk "caught" drinking a glass of Guinness stout at a public dinner.
It invited a few comments on Monks, their precepts and vinaya, and what they should do and not do.
Some said that monks should never drink since it is one of the Five Precepts. Others mentioned that such monks caused disgrace to the Buddhist communities.
It is hard to draw a line and a post even mentioned about the Ming Yi incident.
We must also bear in mind...that Monks are also human, they made a vow, and like most of us, some can keep their promise but some cannot. I saw a post above Ming Yi, and when one break his vow, it is the end of merits and the beginning of Karma catching up... 火烧公德堂.. all his previous good deeds are burned by his own actions.
Monks are also in the process of practicing the Buddha's teaching and the only difference is that they make a vow to take this practice as a way of life. Some can keep their vows, some cannot and they should be judged by their own teachers or their own group and tradition and not the society, and definitely not YOU or me.
And People are very unforgiving.. and using their fault finding minds, they will continue to criticise, when everyone else can never meet the standard which they set for others.
May you be well, happy, peaceful.
With Gratitude,
ROBIN
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A wonderful lesson here, Robin. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!