The Strength of Inner Peace and Generosity in Monastic Life : หน้า 84/105

ourselves of desire, establish inner peace, and be able to correct all the wrongful acts in our lives. 8. You will have strength, perseverance and courage to face life's obstacles. When you are first ordained, you are not allowed to keep any food. You do not even know whether there will be any food to eat tomorrow. When you go out seeking alms, you do not expect to get food every day, every time. Sometimes you do not receive anything at all, especially in the rural provinces. I had the opportunity to visit some of these rural temples. I was very impressed by the monks’ generosity. Visiting these temples close to the time for their midday meal, as I arrived, the monks invited me to eat with them, and they brought out the food that they had received during their morning alms round. As I looked at it, I saw that for three monks, there was only half a fish to share. Yet, they still had the consideration to invite me to share their food. I did not know what to do; so another monk said to me, “Don’t worry, if there is not enough to eat, we still have a whole bottle of fish sauce.” For those who have gone out and meditated in the woods for a long period of time, after they are done with this, they will have acquired enormous perseverance and will have no fear of life's obstacles. Those who have been ordained and are used to living a