..續本文上一頁ing the same precepts, (3) living together, (4) speaking without conflict, (5) experiencing the Dharma bliss, and (6) sharing benefits.
Six Paramitas. The fourth of our Practice Guidelines. Bodhisattvas abide by six guidelines that are called the Six Paramitas, or Perfections. These teach us how to remedy our major afflictions. The six are (1) giving, (2) precept observation (moral self-discipline), (3) patience, (4) diligence, (5) meditative concentration, and (6) wisdom.
sutra. Teachings by the Buddha, initially given verbally, later compiled, and written down by the Buddha”s students; as well as teachings by bodhisattvas.
Ten Great Vows of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. SamantabhadraBodhisattva personifies the vows and conduct of the Buddhas. He is usually depicted seated on an elephant with six tusks that represent the Six Paramitas, which are the fifth of our practice guidelines. The ten vows are to (1) Respect all Buddhas, (2) Praise Tathagata, (3) Make offerings extensively, (4) Repent karmic obstacles, (5) Rejoice at others” meritorious deeds, (6) Request the turning of the Dharma wheel, (7) Request the Buddha to remain in this world, (8) Constantly follow the Buddha”s teachings, and (10) Accommodate all sentient beings.
Ten Virtuous Conducts. The Ten virtuous Conducts are basic to our practice of Buddhism. The ten can be categorized as physical, verbal, and mental conducts to protect the three karmas of body, mouth, and mind. Physically, we are prohibited from (1) killing, (2) stealing, and (3) engaging in sexual, or sensual, misconduct. Verbally, we are prohibited from (4) using false speech, (5) using harsh speech, (6) using pisive speech, or (7) using enticing speech. Mentally, we are prohibited from giving rise to thoughts of (8) greed, (9) anger, and (10) ignorance.
Three Conditions. The first of our Five Practice Guidelines.
The First Condition is be filial and care and provide for parents, be respectful to and serve teachers, be compassionate and do not kill, and cultivate the Ten Virtuous Karmas. The Second Condition is take the Three Refuges, abide by all precepts, and behave in a dignified and appropriate manner. The Third Condition is generate the Bodhi mind, believe deeply in the law of cause and effect, recite and uphold the Mahayana sutras, and encourage others to advance on the path to enlightenment
three karmas. Created by our body, mouth, and mind, they are our actions, speech, and thoughts.
Threefold Learning. The third of our Practice Guidelines. Moral self-discipline, or precepts keeping, leads to meditative concentration that gives rise to innate wisdom. The Threefold Learning is the fourth of our five practice guidelines. To practice according to the teachings is self-discipline. When our minds are settled and focused on one method of cultivation, we will have meditative concentration. With meditative concentration, we will uncover our innate wisdom.
true nature. Our original, true self that we still have, but is which is currently covered by deluded thoughts and evil karma. In essence, since we have the same true nature as Buddhas have, we are equal in nature to the Buddhas. Once we eliminate our delusion, we will uncover this true nature and attain Supreme Enlightenment.
virtues. See merits.
Visualization Sutra. The third of the primary sutras of the Pure Land School. In the Visualization Sutra, we learn that when Queen Vaidehi suffered from overwhelming family misfortune, she bitterly said to Shakyamuni Buddha: "Life is filled with suffering. Is there not a place without it
I wish to live in such a world." Shakyamuni Buddha displayed for her all the Buddha lands in the universe. After seeing all the worlds, she herself chose the Western Pure Land and vowed to be reborn into that world. Concerned about those who would come after her and, consequently, be unable to learn directly from the Buddha, she asked on their behalf how to achieve rebirth into the Pure Land.
wandering thoughts. Afflictions that cloud our true nature. To have no wandering thoughts means to have absolute proper and virtuous thoughts, not that our minds are empty of all thoughts. As ordinary beings, we use an illusory mind, the mind that arises and ceases, and that has innumerable wandering thoughts. Enlightened beings use the true mind that constantly dwells on truth. They do not have wandering thoughts but meditative concentration, the state without discriminatory, wandering thoughts or attachments.
Western Pure Land. The world created by Amitabha Buddha. It is an ideal place of cultivation, for those who are born there are no longer subject to rebirth.
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