Practising Caution in Speech and Action
Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju
The Path to
Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
The very purpose of your practice is to purify your heart and mind until you reach the state of an awakened being. This is not merely a theoretical goal but a practical, moment-to-moment commitment. Observing the is essential to prevent the creation of negative , which would otherwise pollute your Body-Mind-Spirit. Therefore, as a practitioner, you must be mindful of your speech and actions in every single moment. You must learn to observe your own thoughts and intentions as they arise.
The Foundation of Precepts
In the teachings of Buddhism, the moment your thoughts become biased, evil, or crooked, you are creating negative karma. This will inevitably lead to consequences. You must never be careless, for such negligence causes your Body-Mind-Spirit to suffer and may even lead to the creation of causes that result in the hells. Your Body, Speech, and Mind are the instruments through which you create your destiny. They can be used to create great evil, or they can be used to cultivate great goodness.
The Ten Paths of Action
The Ten Evil Deeds arise from the misuse of your Body, Speech, and Mind. To understand the standard of right and wrong, you must recognise these ten paths:
- Killing: Taking the life of any sentient being.
- Stealing: Taking what is not given.
- Adultery: Engaging in improper sexual conduct.
- Lying: Speaking untruths to deceive others.
- Flattery: Using flowery or insincere speech.
- Harsh Speech: Using words that hurt or demean others.
- Double-tongued Speech: Creating discord between people.
- Greed: The insatiable desire for possessions or status.
- Anger: The fire that burns away your merit.
- Delusion: The ignorance that clouds your true nature.
Conversely, the Ten Good Deeds are the foundation of a virtuous life. By reversing these ten actions, you cultivate the merit necessary for your journey:
- Non-killing: Protecting and cherishing all life.
- Non-stealing: Practising generosity and integrity.
- Non-adultery: Maintaining purity of conduct.
- Non-lying: Speaking only the truth.
- Non-flattery: Speaking with sincerity and honesty.
- Non-harsh speech: Using gentle and compassionate words.
- Non-double-tongued speech: Promoting harmony and reconciliation.
- Non-greed: Practising contentment and detachment.
- Non-anger: Cultivating patience and .
- Non-delusion: Seeking wisdom and clarity.
The Ultimate Safeguard
In the tradition, the Five Precepts and the Ten Good Deeds serve as the basic standard for your heart and actions. However, the most effective way to ensure you remain on the right path is to chant one Buddha's name to the end. When you are walking, sitting, or working, keep the Buddha-name in your heart. Speak less, chant more, and ensure that every thought is a thought of the Buddha. Do not allow your mind to be filled with delusions or messy thoughts. Chanting is the most reliable method to ensure you remain cautious in your speech and actions. Do not create negative karmic connections with others; instead, focus on self-restraint.
Spreading the Light of the Buddha
Your words should always be used to inspire faith in Namo Amituofo. Never slander the Buddha, for the consequences of such actions are grave. Instead, teach others to chant the Buddha-name. When the name of Namo Amituofo enters another person's ear, it becomes a seed of that will last for eternity. Take every opportunity to introduce the supreme beauty of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss and the of the Forty-eight Great Vows. These are the essential tasks for any practitioner of the Pure Land path. Namo Amituofo.
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Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
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