Seven-day Retreat Talk (Day 7)

Morning Talk December 5, 1992 

As the retreat ends, I wish to tell everyone that spiritual health is much more important than physical health, and that wealth of the mind is a greater fortune than material wealth. I am not saying that physical health and material wealth are unimportant, just less important. We understand the concept of health by knowing what is unhealthy. Overeating or not eating enough is unhealthy. Being too cold or too hot is unhealthy. Too little or too much exercise is unhealthy. Avoid extremes. As with the body, a healthy mind is one where thoughts, moods and emotions are stable and balanced. Constant internal conflict is unhealthy. Also disruptive to mental equilibrium are overly positive reactions to praise and overly negative reactions to criticism. You have just finished a seven-day retreat. This morning I mentioned to one my disciples that he should change his attitude towards other people. He acted on impulse and immediately responded, "I'm not like that. You're blaming me for something I don't do." This is not a healthy reaction. Last night during discussion one woman said that when she got home she would punch her husband for giving her preconceptions about the retreat. I'm sure she was only talking, but it would be bad if she did this. When you have Buddhadharma within yourself, that is the greatest wealth you can have. Wisdom and compassion are also sources of limitless wealth. This morning you received the Three Jewels. It means you have the Three Jewels within you. It is worth much more than any material wealth, because material wealth is limited by nature. Material wealth cannot save you from death. Your Lear jet can still crash. Spiritual wealth cannot be taken away from you. We do need material wealth to support ourselves and the Three Jewels, and to help others. And physical health is important, too, For one thing, you can practice better with a healthy body. But material wealth and physical health need not be emphasized. You shouldn't focus on your body the way a farmer focuses on feeding the pig. After all, the goal of that is to eat the pig. You have all worked hard for seven days. In exchange, you have received the Three Jewels and spiritual wealth. I would say that is a fair exchange.