Keeping the Codes and Precepts

Written by Sheng-yen Lu

True Buddha Foundation Translation Team.


Some assume that Tantric Buddhism is rather slax and disregards the keeping of codes and precepts. Let me correct this by saying that this is a misconception of the Tantric teachings and is an inaccurate view!

Any Buddhist, regardless of his affinity with the Sutric or Tantric traditions, knows the necessity of keeping discipline. It is necessary to learn the Threefold Pure Studies, which refer to discipline, meditation and wisdom.

'Discipline" refers to the ending of all evil actions.
'Meditation" refers to the stability of mind in one pointedness.
'Wisdom' refers to the breaking of illusion to experience reality.
What this means is, simply through discipline, the pure mind finds its peace, and when the mind finds its peace, it is easier to enter into meditative stability. With stability, it is possible to perceive all things clearly, allowing wisdom to arise.

There are many precepts and codes in Buddhism, including the Five Precepts, Eight Precepts, Ten Precepts, The Bodhisattva Vows, the Two Hundred and Fifty monastic codes, and so forth. Both the Sutric and Tantric traditions must observe these precepts and codes.

In Tantric Buddhism, they include the Fifty Stanzas of Guru Devotion, the Fourteen Vajrayana Root Precepts, Silavrata Paramarsa or the mistaken view of adherence to ascetic practices in the belief that they will bring release, Pratimoksa or vows of personal liberation, vows on sexual conduct and so forth. From what i know, the codes of Tantric Buddhism are more detailed and precise than the Mahayana and Hinayana codes.

When a Tantric code is breached, it results in one entering the Vajra Hell. Its severe karmic consequences include:
Swallowing burning hot iron balls, drinking hot molten, wearing hot metallic shirts, and sitting on burning hot iron beds. No release date is ever set for one who occupies Vajra Hell, which is dreadful indeed.

One must strictly observe the precepts and codes when cultivating the True Buddha Tantric Dharma. When Sakyamuni Buddha entered Nirvana, He wanted his disciples to abide by the precepts as their guide, for discipline is the very foundation of accomplishment.

If anyone were to suggest that one can attain buddhahood without having to abide by the precepts, it would be a breach of the Samaya Pledge.

Let me say this, "If there were no upholding of the precepts, how could humans and heavenly beings ever arise in faith? If of one does not keep precepts, it is against the way of the wise, and one shall find oneself among the foolish. There can be no liberation from life and death, and no ending of the wandering in Samsara!"