Transformed by the Precepts

The Buddhist precepts are here to protect us from wrongdoing, lead us away from what is bad, and towards what is good. Vinaya Master Daoxuan of the Tang dynasty composed the Simplified and Amended Handbook of the Four-Part Vinaya [Sifenlü Shanfan Buque Xingshi Chao], in which he analyzed the precepts in terms of their “rules,” “essence,” “practice,” and “characteristics.” When one puts the actual rules of the precepts into practice, the body and mind receive the essence of the precepts. When this happens, that essence is expressed through the practice of being pure in body, speech, and mind.

The precepts are, quite clearly, essential to our lives. 

The Buddhist precepts are like the pleasant fragrance of a lotus flower. When someone practices the precepts purely the fragrance of the precepts pervades the whole world, and that person is praised everywhere he goes. The Sutra on the Fragrance of the Precepts [Jie xiang jing] says,

The fragrances of all the flowers and fruits in the world, even sandalwood and musk, cannot be sensed everywhere. Only the fragrance of the precepts pervades the whole universe.”

Those who practice the precepts will gain the characteristics of the precepts and radiate them outwards. Such people will have a naturally majestic and dignified bearing and always act in a moral way. Practicing the precepts can purify our bodies and minds, improve our morality, refine our character, and reveal our Buddha nature. By practicing the precepts we can be sure that our motivation will not fail us, and that we will be endowed with all the merits of practicing the precepts. 

Buddhist morality has many different facets, each of which helps to improve our lives. The five precepts and the ten wholesome actions help us develop a sound human character, the conduct of Buddhist sages helps elevate our morality, and the bodhisattva’s wisdom of emptiness helps us understand the mind and see our nature. Whatever comes from a compassionate mind and neither contradicts secular law nor the gets in the way of benefiting all living beings can lead us to fulfill our human character and become enlightened.

Buddhism is a religion that advocates equality. In Buddhism it is said that everyone can become a Buddha. In fact, we should not disrespect anyone, for they too will one day become a Buddha. It is by observing the precepts that this unique quality is created and refined, until we reach the goal of respecting human rights and the right to life. We must reach this goal to truly elevate the moral
character of all human beings.

We should each strive to have the great kindness, great compassion, great wisdom, and great practice of the Buddhas and bodhisattvas.

Buddhist morality goes far beyond the precepts. Such qualities as connecting with others through generosity, forgetting others’ past misdeeds, having remorse, watching over the six sense organs, and being a good friend are part of Buddhist morality as well. Being grateful for the kindness we receive is also part of Buddhist morality, for we should be grateful for the kindness offered to us by our parents, other living beings, our country, and the Triple Gem. We should apply skillful means, bring benefit and happiness to all living beings, give to everyone universally, and spread the teachings far and wide. We should be tolerant, gentle, mindful, and always have kind words for others. All of this is part of Buddhist morality.

It is by applying the five precepts, the ten wholesome actions, and the three categories of bodhisattva precepts that it becomes possible to fulfill our human character, attain enlightenment, benefit all, and liberate ourselves and others. This is why the Buddhist precepts are so admirable, and why encouraging all to undertake and practice them is the ultimate goal of Humanistic Buddhist Morality.

From For All Living Beings, written by Venerable Master Hsing Yun.

Image from Pixabay.

More Featured Articles

Birth and death are realities of life. Regardless of who we are, we cannot escape either one. While birth is celebrated, death is feared by most. In order to cope with our fear, we often seek comfort in religion. Although each of the world's major religious traditions has its own teaching concerning death, Buddhism is the only one that promotes the doctrine of impermanence as one Read more
It is only through loving-kindness and compassion that we can find room in our hearts to forgive others. It is only through our willingness to let go of resentment that we can find a way to magnanimity.  Read more
I once copied out a sutra in blood by pricking myself, and once I also burned my arm as an offering. I once remained silent for a year without speaking, and once I also kept my eyes closed for three months without seeing. Later on, I would occasionally open my eyes and suddenly feel: Oh, there are still verdant mountains; there are still trees; the Read more
It is only through loving-kindness and compassion that we can find room in our hearts to forgive others. It is only through our willingness to let go of resentment that we can find a way to magnanimity.  Read more
Trustworthy WordsIf you lie, you will not be trusted. If you cannot be trusted, you will be ineffective in your own life and useless to other people. Lies hurt others because they damage their trust and their sense of what is right and wrong. This is a very serious kind of damage; it wastes time, frightens people and causes them to doubt their basic intuitions Read more
Music gives us the capacity to express deep emotions. Whether through holy hymns or chants of praise, music is capable of uplifting the mind to an almost sublime state. As such, it has a significant role in the promotion of religion.All Buddhas and bodhisattvas are very skilled in utilizing music to teach the Dharma and guide sentient beings to enlightenment.Music has a very important function Read more
Chan is meditation throughout our lives. When we live with Chan, the taste of food and feel of clothes will change. We will not feel difficulty when dealing with our affairs. Any matter can be laughed away. The human world has its ups and down, but when we have a Chan mind it is like the world is ours and nothing is lacking. All human Read more
The Sumati Sutra discusses fulfilling both worldly and supramundane needs. Sumati’s first three questions are regarding obtaining an elegant appearance, obtaining wealth, and keeping a harmonious family life—all of these are concerned with success in this life. Being satisfied in this way ensures that a bodhisattva will not be hindered, and can freely walk the bodhisattva path.Rewards and blessings are not stolen, forcibly taken, or Read more
If you keep your practice steady,morning and night, summer and winter,there is nothing you can not doand nothing that can harm you.— Upasakasila SutraThe Importance of Being SteadyLaziness and fear of work will get you into trouble no matter where they appear. Laziness is a basic animal tendency that must be confronted the moment it starts. Once you begin to allow yourself to be lazy, Read more
In the Sutra of Forty-Two Sections, the Buddha asked his disciples, "How long is one's life?" One of the monks replied, "A few years." The next one answered, "A few days!" Another one said, "Less than one day!" Another responded, "Between meals!" Finally, the Buddha said, "Life lasts for the duration of one breath." Life is extraordinarily precious and yet it is based on a Read more
We sometimes see signs on the highway warning: “Keep a safe distance.” Actually, it is not only in driving that we need to keep a distance. For safety reasons, any person and anything in the world needs to keep a distance.Take, for instance, the human body. Our eyes, nose, and mouth all need to keep a distance from one another. Our internal organs all have Read more
If your mind is in balance, what need is there to work at morality? If your behavior is correct, what use is meditation to you? If you understand mercy, then you will naturally care for your parents. If you understand faithful conduct, then all of society will be in order.—Platform Sutra of the Sixth PatriarchA Balanced MindMental balance results from understanding that self-respect is a Read more