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First is harmony in having the same viewpoints, which means
establishing consensuses
in a group.
The group members must hold the same
opinions
of the principles and methods
that they are studying
and practicing
to form the basis for harmonious group cultivation. If
we want
our
society to
be stable,
the prerequisite is that everyone can get along
with one another. Only harmony can
gradually draw together
and eventually
minimize the differences
in
our opinions, ideas, and ways
of life.
Then equality
can be achieved, and
finally, happiness.
Second is harmony in observing the
same precepts. When we live and practice
together, we need to have rules,
or else
there will be disorder. The rules
should include the fundamental precepts set by the
Buddha,
which vary
depending on whether it is a lay
or a monastic
sangha. The
fundamental precepts are
the five precepts
for a lay sangha, and the monk or nun precepts
for a monastic sangha. In addition
to the Buddhist precepts,
laws and
local customs are also to be observed.
Third is
harmony in living together as a group. The
purpose of establishing a cultivation center is
to help every
participant in group practice
make achievements. Living together in a group, practitioners can support each
other in their practice.
Fourth is harmony in speaking without conflict. All the
group members who live together
should not dispute in order to truly concentrate their efforts on cultivation. When people are
together,
negative karma
from speech
is the easiest to
incur. One, who talks too much, easily gets into
trouble. Sometimes misunderstandings arise
because the listener
takes to heart a careless remark of the speaker.
Thus, a careless speaker unknowingly incurs many
enmities,
which give rise to future retaliation. This is
why ancient sages advised us,
"Talk
less;
chant the Buddha’s name more."
The less we speak, the better it is,
for we will have less trouble.
It is best that we speak only when necessary.
Fifth is harmony in experiencing the Dharma bliss. This is
what we call
"experiencing joy in
the Dharma."
When we
learn and practice a Dharma Door,
the basic achievement
that we
should attain
is happiness. If we feel unhappy
in
our practice,
then we have encountered a serious problem,
which does not lie
in
the Buddha’s teachings
but in the way we practice.
We may
either have done something that goes against the principles of the
teachings or have
applied the principles in the wrong way.
Otherwise, the results
should be evident—ending
delusions
and
attaining
enlightenment,
and
ending
suffering
and
attaining happiness. With each passing
day,
we
should have fewer
afflictions
while enjoying greater happiness and freedom.
This is the evidence of success in our practice.
If we are not achieving this, we need to examine
carefully and seriously,
find our mistakes,
root causes,
and then
eliminate them.
We
can then thus truly benefit from our practice.
Sixth is harmony in sharing benefits.
This harmony means that everyone living in a
cultivation center shares the material goods
equally.
The keeping of all these six rules ensures that
harmony will prevail. |
