Practice methods of lay people
Source: Give to the Lonely Garden
Many people misunderstand that learning Buddhism means being a vegetarian, or that they should not pursue wealth, fame and fortune, and force themselves to It makes the whole person look weird. In fact, the life of a monk is completely different from that of a layman. There are at least 270 precepts that a monk should observe, while a layman lives in the world of five desires and has his due responsibilities and obligations. The Buddha never denied the happiness enjoyed by lay people, but only told us that these happiness are impermanent and changeable in nature and are not worth being obsessed with. But he also understands that it is impossible for lay people to give up these enjoyments immediately, so he teaches us that we should pursue it in the right way (that is, a gentleman loves money and gets it in a proper way), and we should not use any means to satisfy our selfish desires. , because the harm we have caused to others has been prepared for ourselves. Even if we cannot settle the accounts in this life, one day it will come back to us with profits.
What the Buddha most condemned were hypocrites who were neither monks nor laymen. In other words, lay people should behave like lay people. It is not a sin to enjoy happiness such as wealth, love, family, fame, etc., and it does not conflict with spiritual practice. , as long as it is based on the premise of "compare your heart to your heart", you can still move towards the road to liberation and taste the refreshing taste of Dharma.
Selected translation from The Southern Tradition's "Pali English Translation Correspondence"
Qiao Zhengyi translated it on the Lunar New Year's Eve
This is what I heard:
Once, the Buddha and many great monks came to the ancient Indian country of Kosala and lived in a village in the country. There was a layman in the village who believed in Brahmanism, named Sanutara. He heard that the Buddha rarely came here and had admired the Buddha's holy name for a long time, so he went to the Buddha's residence and asked some questions.
He saw the Buddha, bowed respectfully to the Buddha, and then sat aside. He asked: "Qu Tan! I am a layman and an ordinary person. I have seven emotions and six desires. I have I have wives, concubines, and children. I live in a bustling city, wear fine clothes, and enjoy delicious food. I hope to keep all this, but I also hope to learn from you and practice so that I can be reborn in heaven after death. I wonder if this will conflict with your teachings?"
The Buddha said: "O layman, it doesn't actually conflict. There are methods in my teachings that can allow you to enjoy happiness in the world. It also improves your soul."
Zenudara was very excited when he heard what the Buddha said. He asked the Buddha to explain to him what to do.
The Buddha said: "O layman, I am now going to explain to you the practice method that can help you. Please listen carefully and keep it in your heart."
Sanutora Say: "Thank you, I will definitely listen to your explanation attentively."
The Buddha said: "As a layman, he should cultivate empathy and keep the following thoughts at all times, so that he can Taking into account both worldly happiness and spiritual practice, lay people should think like this: "I know clearly that if someone wants to kill me, I will be unhappy and fearful. If I don't like this, others will do the same, so how can I You can kill other people's lives.'
When he thinks correctly, he will sincerely observe the precept not to kill, and he will not be happy to kill.
Same as above. If I don’t like others stealing my property, then others certainly don’t like it, so how can I steal other people’s property? So I would like to keep the precept not to steal, and I will not be happy to steal.’
As mentioned above, “ I don’t like others seducing, harassing, violating, or raping my wife, daughter (or husband), and others certainly don’t like being treated in this way. How can I seduce, harass, violate, or rape other people’s wives, daughters (husbands)? So I would like to take the precept not to engage in sexual misconduct.'
As mentioned above, "I don't like to be deceived by others, so how can I deceive others?" . ”
As mentioned above, “I don’t like others to sow discord between me and my relatives and friends. Others must have the same idea as me. How can I try to sow discord between others and their relatives and friends?” Feelings? So I can’t do anything to sow discord.”
As mentioned above, “I don’t like others to be abusive to me, and others must be the same.
How can I insult others? So I shouldn't say bad things to others. 』
As mentioned above, "I don't like others to be hypocritical or say meaningless obscenities to me, and others must be the same way." How can I talk nonsense to others? Therefore, I should not say false sweet words or useless nonsense to others. 』
The above are the seven righteous ways to help yourself practice. Let’s call them the Seven Holy Precepts. And if this lay person can have a correct understanding and firm belief in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, then this lay person will have achieved the Four Immortals, and he can determine his own future destiny and be confident about his own destiny. He said: "In the future reincarnations of life and death, I will no longer fall into the realm of hell, animals, or hungry ghosts. All the causes and conditions of the evil realms have disappeared. I have obtained Sotapanna (first fruit) and will not fall into the evil realms." Dharma must lead to positive liberation. In the future, there will only be seven reincarnations in heaven or on earth, and the goal of ultimate liberation from troubles will be achieved. ’”
After listening to the Buddha’s explanation, Zenudora felt extremely happy. He said to the Buddha: “It’s really rare! World Honored One! From now on, I am willing to take refuge in the Buddha and your teachings. Dharma and fellow monks, I will be a standard lay Buddhist disciple until the end of my life."