Dhamma Vinaya: Understanding the Wisdom of the Pali Canon : หน้า 73/105

Dhamma Vinaya means, the wisdom and instruction contained in the Pali Canon of which there are two types. 1. One is the rules and code of conduct, Vinaya, which must be strictly refrained from, or else you are breaking your vows of monkhood. 2. The other is for doing to the best of one’s ability, teaching which is also known as Dhamma. These suggestions are good for those who do them, but they are not compulsory. There are a total of 84,000 lessons [dhammakkhandha] for discipline in the Pali Canon, which monks must learn in both theory and practice. Everything refined by the present author so far is no more than theory, which in monastic terms is called ‘Pariyatti’. The part where you take what you learn and practice it in your daily life is called ‘Patipatti’. Why do we have to be ordained as monks? You are ordained in order to practice discipline (Patipatti). Once you learn what is good, then you will be able to apply those things to your life, beginning with the Precepts. In theory, you know that ‘Khanti’ means patience and perseverance. But as a layman, you cannot truly succeed in instilling true patience. Only as a monk can you develop the skills and ability to practice true patience. If you know how to exercise your mind, how to spread loving kindness, and how to forgive your fellow man, then you should do so immediately. When I was a student, I wondered why Thailand, a country with a good religion had not advanced as far as Europe or America.