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The Threefold Pure Precepts
Just stopping, refrain, don’t do it; when we stop, it is “trì” – preserving intact (as in holding the alms bowl, upholding the precepts); if we do not stop but “tác” – act – then we violate the precepts, causing them to be damaged. For things that should not be done, we follow “chỉ trì, tác phạm”: not killing, not stealing, not engaging in sexual misconduct… if we stop (chỉ), we are able to uphold the precepts; if we act (tác), we violate them. Conversely, for things that must be done, “chỉ phạm, tác trì”: for example, reciting the precepts, going into the rains retreat, helping those in distress… if we stop (chỉ), we violate; only by acting (tác) can we uphold the precepts.
The practice of the precepts is expanded into three groups called the Threefold Pure Precepts (Tam Tụ Tịnh Giới):
- The Precept of Restraining Evil Conduct (Nhiếp Luật Nghi giới) – don’t do (refrain from all evil) and maintain the precepts, deportment
- The Precept of Cultivating Goodness (Nhiếp Thiện Pháp giới) – do what is wholesome (kusala), intervene when seeing suffering
- The Precept of Benefiting All Beings (Nhiêu Ích Hữu Tình giới) – great compassion, reaching out to rescue and reduce the suffering of all beings
The traditional set of precepts for bhikshus is 250 (Dharmaguptaka tradition), for bhikshunis 348, Theravāda tradition 227; the number increases as the community recognizes new problems that need to be addressed to protect the Sangha. The Buddha was always flexible, adapting the precepts according to circumstances – for example, allowing the carrying of dry food when crossing the desert, permitting cooking when hungry, and using a steward to hold money.
A novice records… a feeling of loneliness, wishing to be oneself in the stream of practice. He shares that he studies the Dharma to understand more deeply, not because he is “forced,” and strives to confidently develop his own unique talents.
To Observe the Precepts Is to Practice Mindfulness