On March 9, 2003 Venerable Ta Yu gave the teaching on "Keeping Precepts" or discipline, the second Perfection of "Six Perfections" following he first Perfection, "Giving" last year.  Jeannie Chen provided the English translation.  All attendees were energized with Dharma Joy.

Venerable Ta Yu told us: "Keeping precepts can protect us from bad Karma.  It is also the best way to improve our good personality.  Whether we are keeping perfect precepts is considered directly to our attaining Buddhahood.  Therefore, in the Sutra of Bodhisattva's vow, it says that when sentient beings receive Buddha's precepts, they have already entered Buddha's rank."

She further explained the Five Percepts for laypersons on no killing which contains a broad sense.  We all know that absolutely no kilings of any sorts of sentient beings.  In addition, Mahayana emphasizes one should practice compassion and become a vegetarian.  Harming any sentient beings either intentionally or unintentionally through our body, speech, and mind costing them the will of living, it is also considered an act of killing.  As Buddha's disciples, we must be cautious.

Among the Five Precepts, Venerable Ta Yu also emphasizes no lying.  She told us: "Speaking too much often leads to misunderstanding.  Being too aggressive often leads to our anxiety.  Less words is better than more words and good words is better than less words.  We should frequently bear a pure mind in using Dharma speeches to cultivate the good Karma roots in becoming Buddha to benefit oneself and others."

Among all the precepts, do not criticize the mistakes made by Four Disciples is very important.  Venerable Ta Yu warns us: "Do not insult the Triple Gems and let ourselves trapped in the serious consequences of cause and effect.  If a disciple makes mistakes, his master will discipline him.  If the master himself commits the crime, Buddha will discipline him.  The most important thing in practice is to watch our body, speech and mind carefully.  Do not follow the winds of ignorance and commit infinite sins, which will keep us in the cycles of Samsara.

After Venerable Ta Yu briefly giving us lectures on important precepts such as "Five Precepts", she further explained the Five sins, Ten Bad Acts and Four Serious Fundamental Faults to make us understanding the importance of the discipline.  She patiently explained all these to remind us to practice the Precepts as the foundation in order to have an easy and solid path.

Understanding the difficulty of keeping the precepts, she compassionately encourages us with convenient ways mentioned in the text.  For instance, if you can keep all the Five Precepts mentioned above, you are then considered an accomplished Upasaka or Upasika (male or female Buddhist laypersons).  If you are able to keep four precepts, you are then considered a full Upasaka or Upasika.  Half Upasaka or Upasika is when you are keeping three precepts.  Part Upasaka or Upasika is when you are keeping two precepts.  Lastly, initial Upasaka or Upasika is when you are keeping only one precept.  We should diligently practice to overcome laziness and carelessness.

The next Dharma talk of the "Six Perfections" will be given by Venerable Ta Yu in July which is about "Endurance".  Endurance is such an important practice especially at this present hostile and terrifying world.  Please come to join us.