THE SIXTEEN PRECEPTS

  THE THREE TREASURES

     Be one with the Buddha

     Be one with the Dharma

     Be one with the Sangha

THE THREE PURE PRECEPTS

     Do not commit evil

     Do good

     Do good for others

THE TEN GRAVE PRECEPTS

     Do not kill

     Do not steal

     Do not be greedy

     Do not tell a lie

     Do not be ignorant

     Do not talk about other’s faults

     Do not elevate yourself by criticizing others

     Do not be stingy

     Do not get angry

     Do not speak ill of the Three Treasures

The observance of the precepts is important not alone for ethical reasons. Because one cannot progress on the road to enlightenment unless his mind is free of the inner disturbance which thoughtless wanton behavior produces, the precepts are the foundation of spiritual practice. Few novices, however, regardless of the strength of their resolve, are able to uphold every one of the commandments, so transgressions in one degree or another are inevitable. Such violations do not debar one from pursuing Buddha’s Way provided one acknowledges them, truly repents, and exerts himself to live by the precepts in the future. Transgressions become less frequent as one advances on the Way and through zazen gains in strength and purity and insight. But what is permanently damaging --- in fact, fatal to one’s spiritual progress --- is loss of faith in the Buddha, in the Truth he revealed through his enlightenment experience, and in the confirmatory words of the patriarchs. In this event, full enlightenment --- and with it the eradication of the root-source of evil, namely, ignorance and delusion --- is virtually impossible.