Relinquishment, Not Accumulation

The Four Requisites are the basic possessions of an alms-mendicant: a set of robes, alms-food, shelter and medicine. A monk or nun may be offered more, but these are the basics. The training is about keeping possessions to a minimum. Based on simplicity and minimal needs, the monastic life helps you to steer away from habits of gathering, accumulation and collection of things that may seem ‘absolutely essential’ at the time but are actually unnecessary.

The secular, materialistic world tends to foster a perennial sense of dissatisfaction, breeding desires and increased need. In contrast, the Buddha encourages us to develop a sense of frugality and contentment – being content with what is given. We also develop a sense of gratitude and appreciation for the life that we have chosen to follow with faith.

As long as greed is present in the mind, there is always the danger that we will be influenced by its force, often unaware of how that force may manifest. It is a learning process. Training and practice gradually result in a better knowing of ourselves, being better able to discern those unskilful tendencies more rapidly and letting them go.

We are dependent on others. In living the samana life, this is a daily reminder of what is truly important. The training is about being frugal, careful with what one wants, refraining oneself from accumulating possessions, and learning to be content with what is given.

This reflection by Ajahn Sundara is from the book, Seeds Of Dhamma, (pdf) pp. 29-30.