Chapter 5 : The Dharmic Essence of the Prajna

A disciple once asked, "What is the Dharmic essence of the Prajna as propounded by Shakyamuni Buddha?"

I replied, "Precepts, stability, and wisdom."

"Is it true that Vajrayana places less emphasis on precepts?" the disciple questioned.

I said, "That is not true."

In my personal opinion:

Abiding by the precepts enables restriction of the "outer" foul actions and assists in distancing ourselves from sufferings, while cultivating stability and wisdom can totally eradicate ignorance and the various defilement of the "inner" heart.

The fact that Vajrayana provides more internal cultivation techniques is the reason why it is misunderstood as a sect that does not emphasize external precepts.

In actual fact, there can be no stability without precepts, and there can be no wisdom without stability. It can be said that there is actually a far greater number of precepts laid down in Vajrayana as compared to the other sects, and the precepts of Vajrayana are even more refined and detailed. There can be no stability and wisdom without adherence to the precepts.

A question raised by a disciple: "What is the gist of the three studies of precepts, stability and wisdom?"

I answered, "Precepts are to prevent and curb incorrect actions and bad deeds. Stability is attained when the six senses make contact with the external environments, but the mind stays still and does not flow along. Wisdom is realized when the mind and the external environments are emptied out and one's views are free from delusions."

I find that:

In order to eradicate the filth of ignorance in its entirety, one has to start from the outer adherence of the precepts, and from the outer, one is thus lead to the inner. On the various canons of precepts, a monk has to follow the Ten Precepts and the Ju Zhu Precepts (the Fundamental Precepts) that the monasteries have stipulated. A lay devotee has to follow the Five Precepts, the Eight Precepts, and so on. Abiding by the precepts inhibits misconduct and fosters virtuous conducts of the body, speech and mind. If a Buddhist is able to cultivate and at the same time strictly abide by the precepts, the defiled heart will easily become purified.

That is to say:

Treat your body as if it were jade.
Keep your mouth shut as if it were a sealed bottle.
Guard your mind as if guarding a castle.

The Surangama Sutra verses stipulate, "To govern one's own body is gist of the precepts of abstention from misbehavior. To control one's own mind is the gist of the common precepts for those who aspire to pursue enlightenment. Precious dharma teachings have expounded how to discipline the mind and body. By following the teachings, your mind and body will become liberated. Treading on this path will thus lead one to realize the hidden nature of the Buddha. Such is the pure Dharmakaya, the eternally existing true consciousness!"

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