Following yesterday’s discussion of Homosexuality and Buddhism, I wanted to offer Chinese Master Hsuan Hua’s Six Great Principles, which is described in the bilingual (Chinese-English) Basic Code of Conduct for the Laity.

Maxims for Buddhist Disciples

We are here studying the Buddhadharma together but we should not be attached to it. Rather, we should approach it with an objective mindset and analyze it with our inherent wisdom. We should not be deluded by beliefs, believe in the deluded, or be forced to believe. We should not take thieves as our children, taking wrong for right, taking black for white and mistaking evil for good. What is most important is to aspire to be Buddhist disciples who truly seek the truth. We should not act like the blind leading the blind, causing beings to become confused and lost, causing them to blindly follow us, causing them to do things which are mixtures of good and evil, things that are mistakes in the Law of Cause and Effect. We who are studying the Buddhadharma must pay attention to this.

Why do we need to practice the Buddhadharma? Is it because we are greedy for something? If so, then we should not be practicing it. When practicing the Buddhadharma, we must get rid of our greed. Otherwise, it will be easy for our hatred and delusion to arise. As soon as we are greedy, hatred and delusion will follow along; in that case, we cannot even talk about precepts, samadhi, and wisdom. When we investigate the Buddhadharma, we cannot be greedy for quick results, self-mastery, or spiritual powers. All these are considered as going against the way, and we end up forgetting the true purpose of studying Buddhadharma. Basically, we were trying to transcend the sea of sufferings and escape the burning house of the Three Realms – in short, to leave suffering and attain bliss. However, if we use the mind of greed to seek this, the more we study, the more we will suffer.

Not fighting, not being greedy, not seeking, not being selfish, not self-benefiting, and not lying – these Six Great Principles are maxims for Buddhists. If we are able to put these into practice at all times and in all places, then we are Buddhist disciples who truly understand the Buddhadharma. I have been telling you this same thing repeatedly. The principle sounds very simple; however, it is not so easy to accomplish. If you can truly act in accord with these Six Great Principles, you would all have become Buddhas long ago. If you can really put these Six Great Principles into practice and not become a Buddha, I shall stay in the hells forever and not come out. I am that earnest to guarantee you that anyone who cultivates in accord with these Six Great Principles will surely become a Buddha in the future.