The manner in which bhikkhus should teach humanity is through the understanding that all examplies of language and culture, regardless of how necessary they may seem, are nevertheless purely “expedient”. The use of language (including translation) must be “precise” and “accurate” so that the Dhamma is correctly transmitted. All language is a “raft” designed to reach the other shore – it serves no other function. If members of the Sangha become “attached” to the prevailing culture from which they emerged – then they are violating the rules contained within the Vinaya Discipline. Congregating around a cultural-bias is one-sided and exclusionary. Narrowing the scope of the Dhamma hinders its enlightening function and distorts its meaning. A bhikkhu is a beggar and not a film star or representative of the culture that gave birth to him. This is not to say that the bhikkhu should reject the culture within which he arose – but at the sametime the bhikkhu should remain “non-attached” to his mind, body, and environment.
