TONE TONE AND FRIENDS XVII

ToneToneJune 17, 20107min970

Friends continue the discussion.

Skipped

Friend: BTW, I heard the monk skipped the public hearing. Heard he went sightseeing to New York.

Friend: You heard right! So irresponsible for a lead monk. Other multi faith monks and leaders were attending, he won’t!

Very stubborn and won’t listen to entreaties, also.

No “R nar” or “Htauk htar” (No feel bad or no consideration).

Friend: Probably, I would do the same. No money incentive for me to attend a hearing. No money no honey!
Friend: I feel sorry for you, my friend. Don’t be so selfish!

Money! Money! Money!

Friend: Lately, in his flyers, he is expounding on culture again. He never learns. What he sees is Money! Money! Money!


Harping on Culture

He conveniently forgets that, in a RESIDENTIAL AREA, his harping on culture alone, can be quite irrelevant and may be a hindrance. Neighbors may even view it as a threat. It’s vain and can be a costly mistake.

Hallowed

Friend: Anyway, he has no right to claim that Azusa is “a hallowed ground” like Bodh Gaya.

(“Boda Gayar R larr.”  “Myint myat!”). See below:

That’s a Parajika offense. That’s “out of this world!”

Friend: How about other Burmese Temples? Are they “yoke yant” less noble or plain? Isn’t this an insult, a sly dig at other monasteries!

Over the Legal limit

Friend: BTW, I see he boasts of 6 bus loads of 280 persons. Other 3 to 5 busloads, also, will likely exceed the 130 persons permitted. Going over the legal 130 limit and breaking the City laws again and again.

Are there pride or culture in going against the City permit laws?


Friend: The Temple is important for Sasana, community, and monks. In that sense, maintaining the Temple’s survival is as important as maintaining culture, if not more.

Friend: Maintaining both Temple and culture, if possible, should be the goal.

Harping on culture alone while risking and losing the Temple permit and consequently the Temple, is very unwise and selfish.

No harping on cultures

Friend: Anyway, Buddha’s monk rules require the Dhamma study and preaching. These Vinaya rules are still valid over the centuries. They do not allow the “harping on cultures and pride.” They don’t allow the use of culture as a way to obtain huge donations.

No “influencing”

Indeed, Vinaya rules allow no “influencing,” whatsoever, on donations. This applies to donated labor and services as well.

Example: No “influencing or forcing people” to maintain Nibban Zay stalls.

It’s a Vinaya offense. Donors of services also receive less merits/kuthos for donating under such influences. It’s without natural and pristine outpouring of original cetana.

Niti kyan/Civics code extracts:

Wise saying:

145.  When priests and kings become dissatisfied (meaning demanding and unappreciative), there is no chance for them ( no hope or redemption), they are lost…………

[My note: A few bad priests and kings can do great harm. BEWARE!].