Who Ordered This Truckload Of Dung - Perfection and Guilt - What's done is Finished

What's Done is Finished

by Ajahn Brahm

The monsoon in Thailand is from July to October. During this period, the monks stop traveling, put aside all work projects, and devote themselves to study and meditation. The period is called Vassa, the Rains Retreat. 


In the south of Thailand some years ago, a famous abbot (Leader of a group of monk) was building a new hall in his forest monastery. When the Rains Retreat came, he stopped all work and sent the builders home. This was the time for quiet in his monastery. A few days later a visitor came, saw the half-constructed building and asked the abbot when his hall would be finished. Without hesitation, the old monk said: "The hall in finished."

"What do you mean, 'The hall is finished'?" the visitor replied, taken aback. " It hasn't got a roof. There are no doors or windows. There are pieces of wood and cement bags all over the place. Are you going to leave it like that? Are you mad? What do you mean, 'The hall is finished'?"


The old abbot smiled and gently replied, "What's done is finished," and then he went away to meditate.

That is the only way to have a retreat or to take a break. Otherwise our work is never finished.

REST WHEN YOU REST

I think is simply we cannot change the environment
So we don't fight with the environment