The Fundamental Precepts
By "Dotetsuzenji"
(From the book "ZEN MIND")
What are the Fundamental Precepts of Buddhism?
In Buddhism, they are summarised in the following categories:
1. Three Marks of Existence
2. Four Noble Truths
3. Eightfold Noble Path
4. Meditation and Concentration
5. Karma
6. Rebirth
What are the Three Marks of Existence?
They are:
1. Anicca (impermanence). Component parts and their blended structures are transient: they arise, change and vanish, even in the blink of an eye. Nothing can be called "Is”; whatever "Is" emerges so quickly that our eyes cannot see it. There is no permanent or stable “mind-matter”. Although the rate at which things appear and disappear is far greater in the mind than in matter, both are exposed to the same law of change. Therefore, absolute soul, or self, is not only an illusion and a false attitude but is also harmful, from a moral point of view, because it creates the destructive thought “I”, “Me" or "Mine”. This can then create selfish desires, illusions and delusions. Impermanence can be observed through a true practice of meditation.
2. Dukkha (suffering, sorrow, affliction, anguish, dissatisfaction, pain, discomfort, etc.). The 1st of the Four Noble Truths and the 2nd Mark Existence: everything is subject to suffering. There is nothing in the world to be content with: no satisfaction, no true happiness, no real tranquillity. Attaching to this world is not wise but it is wise to make use of its natural blessings without attachment.
3. Anatta (no ego, no Self, no soul, no "I'). The absence of a permanent, unchanging soul or self. Things have no “Self”, no entity. The essence of "Self' cannot be seen in anything, neither feeling nor body nor mind; not even in “Knowing". The "Self", "I" and "Mine" are nothing but an illusion and we cannot attach to them.
What are the Four Noble Truths?
1. Life is Suffering: suffering is the great world illness. Birth, old age, sickness, death, to be parted from family and loved ones, to not get what one wants, to face intolerable events, etc....all of these are suffering.
2. The Cause of Suffering: craving rooted in ignorance, the desire to live long and the fear of death or annihilation.
3. Deliverance from Suffering following the Doctrine of the Buddha-Dhamma: to appease craving and desire and to renounce them; to understand the false things which may appear to be true.
4. The Way of Deliverance (to eradicate Suffering): this is described in the Eightfold Noble Path.
What is the Eightfold Noble Path?
1. Right Understanding: To know and understand the Four Noble Truths, and to see and understand things as they really are.
2. Right Thought: Loving kindness (Metta), selflessness, non-violence, and deep love and compassion for all beings.
3. Right Speech: Abstain from telling lies and rumours, harsh language and idle chatter.
4. Right Action: Abstain from telling or harming living beings, theft and sexual misconduct.
5. Right Livelihood: To earn an honest, and honourable, living which is in no way harmful to sentient beings; to avoid dealing in living beings (e.g. butchery, hunting, slave trade, prostitution), arms dealing, or selling intoxicants and poisons (e.g. alcohol, drugs).
6. Right Effort: Refrain from evil actions; refrain from what is corrupt and polluting (e.g. incitement to riot).
7. Right Mindfulness: Constant awareness of phenomena within and without.
8. Right Concentration: Contemplation and meditation, as recommended by the teacher, paying full attention to body and mind.