There are many ways to express the Precepts in English. I so much agree that Zazen and the Precepts are one and whole, with Zazen sustaining the Precepts, the Precepts nurturing Zazen. I do not feel that they are "Commandments," but they are pointers toward a good, gentle, peaceful, tolerant, non-harming and healthful life toward… Continue reading The Precepts – Jundo Cohen
Category: Jukai – The Precepts
Soto Buddhism – The Precepts
Robert Aitken on the Precepts https://tricycle.org/trikedaily/the-nature-of-the-precepts/ The precepts of Zen Buddhism derive from the rules that governed the Sangha, or community of monks and nuns who gathered about Shakyamuni Buddha. As the religion of Buddhism developed through the Mahayana schools, the meaning of sangha broadened to include all beings, not just monks and nuns, and… Continue reading Soto Buddhism – The Precepts
The Ten Essential Precepts – Soto Zen
from: http://sfzc.org/about-zen-center/principles-governance/ethics/ethical-principles/the-ten-essential-precepts The Ten Essential Precepts The Ten Essential Precepts are inseparable from both Buddha Nature and our relations with each other. They are the strands of Indra's Net. 1. A disciple of Buddha does not kill but rather cultivates and encourages life. This precept expresses the bodhisattva's intent to live compassionately and harmlessly. When… Continue reading The Ten Essential Precepts – Soto Zen
The Verse of Atonement
Hands in Gassho - Recite Each Day ~ All harmful words thoughts and acts ever committed by me since of old On account of beginningless greed, anger and ignorance Born of my body mouth and mind Now I atone for them all. ~ (I also like to add this verse, as it helps me to… Continue reading The Verse of Atonement
Righting A Wrong: Faith & Atonement
by Shi Chuan Guan http://buddhavacana.net/2010/10/righ...ith-atonement/ Faith & Atonement I’ll go with the two definitions of atonement and move on from there: 1. Amends or reparations made for an injury or wrong; 2. Reconciliations or an instance of reconciliation between God and humanity. When I first read it, I zoomed into the part of reconciliation between… Continue reading Righting A Wrong: Faith & Atonement
Broken Precepts vs. Sin
by Ven. Chuan Guan In the case of a breach of Buddhist precepts, it is not a breach against the Buddha (or God), but against ourselves. Consequently, Buddhists in a way do not really apologize to the Buddha. Let’s take a look at Buddhist precepts to understand better. Buddhist precepts are training rules taken up… Continue reading Broken Precepts vs. Sin
The Meaning of Taking Refuge – Dr. Akong Tulku Rinpoche
The Meaning of Taking Refuge A Discussion with Dr. Akong Tulku Rinpoche In order to become a Buddhist formally, you have to "Take Refuge. " What does "Taking refuge" involve? Do you have to take any vows or make any commitments? "Taking Refuge" in itself is a serious commitment. It is not something you should… Continue reading The Meaning of Taking Refuge – Dr. Akong Tulku Rinpoche
Introduction to Jukai – Nishijima Roshi
Introduction to Jukai - Nishijima Roshi Sekishin: What is the Jukai ceremony? Gudo: Jukai is the ceremony in which one receives and undertakes the Precepts as a disciple of the Buddha. Sekishin: That sounds, I think, like something to be undertaken solely by Buddhist monks ….. Gudo: No ….. In Jukai, we find both the… Continue reading Introduction to Jukai – Nishijima Roshi
Taking the Precepts – Part 1 – Sewing Buddha’s Robe
Taking the Precepts, Sewing Buddha's Robe by Josho Pat Phelan According to Ch’an Master Sheng-yen, a common saying in Mahayana Buddhism is "Having vows to break is the bodhisattva path. Not having vows to break is a non-Buddhist path." I have heard this expressed as "it is better to take the precepts and break them… Continue reading Taking the Precepts – Part 1 – Sewing Buddha’s Robe
Receiving the Precepts – Part 2 – by Josho Pat Phelan
Receiving the Precepts - Part 2 by Josho Pat Phelan Last time, I began talking about the Ceremony for Giving and Receiving the Precepts [Jukai] as a lay person, and the process or preparation for receiving the precepts. I stopped with repentance and today I would like to begin by reviewing repentance. The repentance verse… Continue reading Receiving the Precepts – Part 2 – by Josho Pat Phelan
Reality is Dharma 