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tices. In addition, monks receive the spiritual support of their fellow members of the Sangkha. Thus, joining the order of monks ensures an environment that reinforces moral discipline and spiritual values. From the perspective of an American of non-Buddhist parentage, such as myself, the mo- tivation to join the Sangkha would be slightly different from that of a Thai. Unfortunately, some of us must struggle with families who disapprove of our adopted religion. Although this is not the case in my situation, certainly I have no cultural tradition to support me should I decide to ordain. Some might view entering a monastery as a retreat from the difficulties and responsibili- ties of life. On the other hand, some might question the sanity of a person willing to sacrifice material comfort for the austerity of the sangkha. Buddhism, however, teaches us to base our judgements on personal experience rather than on the opinions of others. Above all, perhaps, American Buddhists can see that the Sangkha offers a refuge from the myriad distractions of modern life. It can help us free ourselves from the slavery of desire and attachment. Modern culture, especially in the United States, encourages selfish- ness and the immediate gratification of every wish. Surrounded by ram- pant materialism, children grow up assuming that happiness is to be found in constant sensory stimula- tion and the acquisition of posses- sions. Even to question such as- sumptions can expose a person to the ridicule of their peers. For this reason it takes a certain amount of courage for independent thinkers to act on their beliefs. But Lord Buddha taught that the things of the world are impermanent and that desiring and clinging to them will lead only to suffering. Perhaps what men give up when they ordain is not so precious after all-they renounce the primary ingredients of Dukkha! The Precepts outlined in the Vinaya were carefully designed to create optimum conditions for spir- itual growth. Rules that might seem to be limiting are in fact be liberating. Free from the distractions and temp- tations of secular life, the monks can focus on what is truly important- purifying the mind. So, in fact, the Precepts are training rules which help the monks cultivate the strong ethical framework which is neces- sary for spiritual progress. And, as the Venerable Siridhammo Bhikkhu points out, when following the Precepts the simplest actions be- come lessons. In his diary there are many examples of seemingly trivial actions that nevertheless proved to be highly instructive. Even folding a robe or practicing good table man- ners can strengthen a particular virtue. Mindfulness must be practiced at all times, even when washing dishes or mopping the floor. As I read through excerpts from the Venerable Siridhammo's diary I came across an entry in which he re- sponds to a Dhamma talk given by another monk. He writes: "After breakfast Luang Phee talked about our objectives in life. The objectives of Buddhists is to accumulate merit. I realize this, of course, but...a "but" always seems to slip in. Luang Phee reminded us that our lives are short and that we must take meaningful action before it's too late. What if you grow old and realize that your life served no purpose? A mistake like this can have severe karmic consequences." I was struck by the ominous truth of these remarks. We might die at any moment. How many of us honestly feel that we have used our time well? How many of us might have regrets that we never took a truly meaningful step? Finally, we must remember that the continuing strenght of Bud- dhism depends largely on the third aspect of the Triple Gem. Living strictly in accordance with the Lord Buddha's teachings, the monks embody the Dhamma. As teachers and role models, the members of the Sangkha will have an even greater role to play as Buddhism spreads throughout the world. The youth of today will play a crucial role as the next generation of Buddhist leaders. As an American, I am greatly encouraged to see that the first steps have been taken-and I am hopeful that many will follow-to establish a vital Sangkha in the United States. 0 กัลยาณมิตร ๘๙ ธันวาคม ๒๕๓๙