The Teachings of the Six Directions : หน้า 36/164

Suzanne Jeffrey With this comment, the audience looks surprised and expectant. This comment is not something that they would have ever thought a Vice-Abbot of a Thai monastery would ever say. He smiles at their surprise, and continues. “Our technological age has brought us in contact with millions of people very quickly. We hear news instantly from around the world. And, we connect with people with whom we never imagined connecting just a few years before this one. We now can ‘talk’ to millions of people and hear what they have to say. Imagine the ramifications of our language. Imagine what people will think of us if we suddenly say something rude, or inappropriate, or vulgar. Always be mindful of what we say on these internet pages, or on your mobile phone because these messages will have wide ranging ramifications. “Almost finished with this,” he cajoles them. “Beneath us, are the people we work with, or for, or employ. Depending on the situation, we need to help them accomplish their own goals in life by giving them appropriately assigned tasks, providing them with good wages and benefits, or giving them a good work or study environment. In order to be a good employee, you must get to work in a timely manner, treat the employees or employer with respect, and perform your work with graciousness and pride. This is essentially good advice whether or not you are an employer, an employee, or you are going to school each day with many other students. “The last direction is the one above us. These people are our spiritual leaders whose duty it is to protect the people (or their congregation) from doing harmful acts, assist them with a kind heart, give them information regarding the church, monastery, mosque or synagogue, teach them the writings of the religion they are following, and guide them on the path to Heaven. In turn, you must always speak and act with kindness towards them, and welcome them into our home. Support them by giving of our time, and help them so that they will continue to be leaders who are happy in their own path. “What I have just been discussing are the teachings of the Six Directions, and this shows us how, and from whom, we learn our basic habits. All of these are the people who influence the development of our habits. But this is not the only way we learn who we are, or how to be happy in our lives. “Every day, we follow a particular routine. As children, we have a routine that we follow on most days, like a schedule. As adults we have another kind of routine, and we follow