renunciate vows...

poverty, chastity and obedience

these are the basic vows observed within monastic life

that are to be fully honored if one is a renunciate

poverty truly points to emptiness of attachment to the world

which means to lay down the feeling of ownership within 

as well as the feeling of pride and vanity...

it does not necessarily mean having no physical possessions

although this is an outward flow at times of this vow

as within the traditional sadhu life 

this one owned not a thing and roamed the earth

bare, naked, completely free of possessions...

what is being spoken of here however is an inward letting go...

chastity, symbolic of purity (which includes celibacy)...   

is maintaining a clean inner reality and outward action that is in alignment

with the vows...   

as well as honoring the basic precepts of honesty, transparency and integrity..

celibacy is an essential of monastic living as to be without it 

solidifies bodily attachment and desire 

which is directly opposed to the purpose of renunciation 

as this signifies going beyond body and the worldly ways..

obedience indicates surrender or giving over to truth..

it does not mean to follow along blindly ..

but to yield to the light (of Gurus wisdom) without resistance and 

arguments (nothing more, nothing less)

these fundamental vows it seems have been very misinterpreted

and under appreciated for what they are...

though they may seem stringent to some...

they are truly the foundation to moving forward free of the body/mind complex

and an absolute essential of the renunciate life...  

om shanti