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

Many of us think that after undertaking the precepts life will become a matter of you-can’t-do-this and you-can’t-do-that. We wonder if that isn’t limiting us even more. We worry that it will mean a loss of freedom. This is why some people will question: Why should I receive the precepts and end up just limiting myself!In fact, if we were to go to a prison Read more
Greed is a basic disease of all sentient beings. In our realm, the desire realm (kamadhatu), the force and effects of greed can be felt especially strongly. Greed is based on ignorance and cannot function without it. The fundamental ignorance that enables greed to function is the belief in a self that exists separately and independently from other sentient beings. This belief leads to nothing Read more
What are people supposed to do when they are troubled by afflictions? Some people are troubled by very specific things, others encounter poverty, and many have poor relations with other people. Some individuals are disturbed the moment they hear even the slightest comment they do not like, or they become angry when they see someone doing something they do not approve of. This sort of Read more
We all have our share of headaches and heartaches. Physically, we all have to face aging, sickness and death. Mentally, we have to deal with problems arising from greed, hatred and ignorance. The Chinese have a saying that aptly describes our predicament: “Heaven and hell sometimes end; the threads of sorrow continue forever.” Our afflictions are as deep as the dark blue sea and are Read more
When we can practice viewing ourselves and others through a lens of oneness, we will no longer engage in meaningless mind games that prevent us from forming positive connections with all beings. Read more
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
Some people may think it is strange that in this scientifically enlightened century anyone would want to talk about ghosts. In the past, even sages avoided the subject of the supernatural if they could. Confucius never spoke about ghosts. At the mere mention of ghosts, frightful images instantly arise in our minds of their pale faces, their wild hair and their sharp fangs. The truth Read more
Though sitting meditation was given to us from the ancient past it is a way for modern people to lead happy lives. Sitting meditation allows us to dispel the pressures of daily life that come from the mind’s confusion and a mistaken understanding of phenomena. Practicing sitting meditation quiets the mind and stills our thoughts so that we can recover our intrinsic nature. Sitting meditation Read more
Do you feel inspired when you see people help each other? Not everyone is. Some people may look at a generous donation and say, “Donating such a small amount of money is nothing extraordinary for such a rich person.” When other people suffer from disasters and pain like the many people killed in the South Asian tsunami and earthquakes, don’t you feel for them? Doesn’t Read more
One of the great advantages of sitting meditation is that you can take it with you wherever you go. Whether you are in a forest deep in the mountains or beside a stream among the grass and reeds, you can develop meditative concentration just by sitting down and crossing your legs.But what is meditation? Does it come from sitting, standing, or lying down? Huineng, the Read more
Observing the precepts is the concrete manifestation of compassion and the bodhisattva path. 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