45. When leaving the rains retreat and traveling
By Luang Pu Thate Desaraṅsī
Date: 1986 BE (2529)
Today is the end of the rainy season. The determination for the rains-bathing cloth ends today, precisely. You must perform vikappa (the ritual of sharing determination). The rains-bathing cloth must be put under shared determination. It is no longer considered a rains-bathing cloth. You must perform vikappa today, without fail. Don't forget—everyone must perform vikappa for the rains-bathing cloth. After performing vikappa, you may then revoke the determination and use it as you like from now on.
Now that the rains retreat is over, the Nak Tham (Doctrinal Studies) exams are approaching. Prepare for the Nak Tham exams. How many days are left? Set your mind and intent on studying for the exams. You have studied all year; try your best to pass the exams as best you can. Studying Nak Tham is very beneficial—it allows you to research and reflect upon the Dhamma you have learned. It becomes a basis for living, a basis for contemplation, a basis for your abiding. If you don't study, if you have no learning and no reflection, you will be empty of Dhamma contemplation. After you finish your studies and pass as a Nak Tham, then every one of you should be determined to meditate and practice diligently.
As for going into solitude, wandering in the forest and wilderness—that is up to you. Wherever you go, you should have a group and companions. Do not go alone in a single direction. Do not behave carelessly; that is not good. When staying with a group and companions, observe yourself: Are you doing good? Do you act this well when not with your companions? Or do you act only out of fear of the group—thinking you might be seen as lazy, afraid of what the group might say—but once you go off on your own, you become even lazier? On the contrary, staying in the monastery with the community, there are routines and practices, and everything is done properly. Once you leave, the community trusts you. If you go to a secluded place, then meditate and practice diligently. Do not abandon your daily routines or any of your practices.
Whatever you were doing in this monastery, do the same when you go out. In truth, staying with a group and companions, practicing well and properly, brings growth and progress. Sometimes, when you go out alone, you may not be able to match the standard you had while with the group. If you were already well-disciplined while with the group, then when you go into solitude, maintain that same discipline.
Routines and practices are important. The external requisites—we see them clearly, only externally. If the external things are orderly, it is because the internal things are orderly, and thus it becomes possible.