Monastic worthiness
[2nd President and Spiritual Head: the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa]
DAILY READINGS
From Mother Radha's recordings of Swamiji
744
Swamiji reads from the Teachings of Buddha to the renunciates
My disciples, the homeless brothers [monks], must observe the four rules, and about them build their lives. First: they wear old and caste off garments. Second: they get their food through alms or begging. Third: their home is where night finds them; under a tree or on a rock. Fourth: they use only a special medicine made from urine as laid down by the brotherhood.
In the Vedas there are wonderful things written about urine therapy. But with this therapy are associated certain mantras. You say certain mantras and then take the urine. 'As laid down by the brotherhood,' means there are rules to taking it. You don't just take it anytime. [Swamiji laughs.] If a man is suffering from bilharzia it won't do him very much good. It will multiply the germs.
To carry a bowl in hand and go from house to house is a beggar's life. But a brother is not compelled to do so by others, he is not forced into it by circumstances or by temptation. He does it of his own free will because he knows that a life of faith will keep him away from the delusions of life, will help him to avoid suffering and will lead him towards enlightenment. The life of a homeless brother is not an easy one. He ought not to undertake it if he cannot keep his mind free from greed and anger, if he cannot control his mind or his five senses.
Not an easy thing.
To believe himself to be a homeless brother and to be able to answer when he is asked about it, he must be able to say firstly, I am willing to undertake whatever is necessary to be a homeless brother.
Or a homeless sister. But Buddha didn't initiate women. (Because he initiated his mother he had led to her downfall, that is what is written.)
And Secondly I will be sincere about it and will try to accomplish the purpose of becoming One. I will be grateful to those who help me by donations and will try to make them happy by my eagerness and good life.
A sannyasi is not unmindful of the givers. He appreciates the givers – those who help him through donations – and will try to make them happy. How? By earnestness and living a good, dharmic [holy, righteous] life. You must be sincere to the backbone in whatever you are doing, so you become worthy of the salt of the householders. You are not going to be a rough and tumble kind of a person, you have to live a good life.
Very important: No stealing in thought, word or deed.
1) Care should be taken by the reader to understand and take Swamiji's words in these postings, in context. Every teaching or instruction that he gave was specific to the people who were with Swamiji at the time. 2) Mouse-over the words highlighted in red in the posting for further explanation or links.
There are currently available, over 100 different CDs or DVDs with mp3 files, of Swamiji speaking. Please email timhoare@webmail.co.za to order. Click HERE for the second website on Swamiji's life and teachings.
Sri Ramakrishna Sri Sarada Devi Swami Vivekananda
Swami Nischalananda Swami Shivapadananda
The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna - read online
Reference websites – please mouse over the name and click to connect:
Ramakrishna Math and Mission Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa Ramakrishna Dham