Moral Rectitude

The Vinaya lays down many detailed rules concerning our behaviour towards the material world.

In the forest tradition we’re taught that the second expulsion offence can be incurred by theft of even the smallest object, something the value of one baht (about three US cents).

In the formal announcements in the ordination ceremony, the preceptor teaches the new monk to take nothing whatsoever that does not belong to him, even as much as a blade of grass.

To take on that standard — a single blade of grass — is the essence of ‘leaving home’. It entails a radical shift of perspective from lay attitudes. Such a standard differs not only from that of criminals and thieves but also that of most ‘law-abiding’ citizens. There are few people who would not take advantage of some kind of little loophole in the law if they were absolutely sure they could get away with it. ‘Everyone does it; I’d be a fool not to.’

Moral rectitude is not unknown outside the walls of monasteries of course — I’m not by any means suggesting we have the monopoly on honesty — but for a whole community to abide by such principles scrupulously is extremely rare.

This reflection by Ajahn Jayasaro is from the talk, The Beauty of Sila.