We are preparing for the annual kaṭhina ceremony today and visitors have already started arriving. In terms of our practice, everything that happens on occasions like this is merely sights, sounds, smells, tastes, touch, and mental objects. We tend to make a problem out of sense contact, but it’s just that much, nothing more. Objectively speaking, what’s taking place here? The day begins, there is a wave of people and activity that comes in—it arises. The day ends, the wave of people and activity goes out—it passes away. It’s another arising and ceasing—an opportunity to pay attention to the way that things come and go.
Of course, there’s more to deal with and manage today, because the number of visitors will be high. That’s the reality of what’s happening. But we don’t need to get excited about it, create a story around it, worry about it, or try to get away from it. Rather, we can ask ourselves, How am I holding all of this? Are we able to return to mindfulness, over and over again? Do we have the ability to sustain a sense of clarity, discernment, kindness, and well-being? We can choose to let go of excitement, confusion, irritation, and aversion. Reactions like those are extra and completely unnecessary.
As a monastic community, we’re solely dependent on the generosity of the lay community, and this is a time when that generosity is being vividly displayed. What can we offer as a gesture of appreciation for this generosity that gives us the ability to live our lives? It isn’t through our getting swept up in excitement. It isn’t through our shrinking away because of irritation. It’s through our ability to hold a steadiness and clarity in our minds. Our ability to be clear and steady has a lot more value than the short-term satisfaction of allowing our minds to get swept up in our reactions. This ability is the basis for our practice, but also serves as a model for others. And that’s what the world needs. It’s a wonderful gift when people come to the monastery and see a model of wisdom operating in a group of people.
There are people coming—that’s not an illusion. So help each other, pay attention to the situation, and look after what needs to be done. Be ready to respond with kindness and attentiveness to the people who arrive. Express your heartfelt appreciation. These people are here to offer support for the monastery. That kind of generosity is something to delight in with a sense of gratitude.