How about putting the third precept like this? "Don't fuck with the universe!" I think in this case the three wheels (三輪) refer to the possessor, the possessed and the idea of possession itself (similar to the giver, the given and the gift). All three are pure (清浄) and empty (空寂), i.e. in the whole universe there is nothing to possess, no-one who could possess, and the whole idea of possession is meaningless. How could the universe possess anything in the first place? In the context of sexuality, I think the precept is also about the fruitlessness of trying "to become one" with something through sexual intercourse (or otherwise, like through "mystical experiences). Aiming at "being one" with the universe is the most extreme way of trying to possess things. Which brings me back to the quote by Simone Weil, that I mentioned at the end of our interview: “To love purely is to consent to distance, it is to adore the distance between ourselves and that which we love.” So I guess you could also formulate the precept like this: Don't expect others to make you "one with everything"!
Thank you Muho! I like the idea that being one with the universe is the most extreme way of trying to possess things. And yet I've been pursuing that for most of my life. What an idiot I am!
In the dream about death I had several weeks ago, it is not that we’re one with the universe but we are the universe itself manifested in a form that won’t ever comprehend this reality because of the limitations we have as humans. According to my night dream that reality called by some: “enlightenment “ can only be experienced at the moment of the leaving of the body. All the rest as humans we only have just interpretations of reality. It is not that one is one with universe but it is the universe that is one with all life, for we are the universe.
So far, best clear insightful description is the one given by Thich Nhat Hanh (pay all attention he calls it “Training” : Third Training : “Aware of the suffering caused by sexual misconduct, I am committed to cultivating responsibility and learning ways to protect the safety and integrity of individuals, couples, families and society. I am determined not to engage in sexual relations without love and long-term commitment. To preserve the happiness of myself and others. I am determined to respect my commitments and the commitments of others. I will do everything in my power to protect children from sexual abuse and to prevent couples and families from being broken by sexual misconduct “
Hardcore Zen : This training is only for lay practitioners in which amongst them can be also Lay practitioners Teachers with a family. Monastics have more in the list such as celibacy.
Sticky subject (buh dum, tsss). Glad you’re writing this. There isn’t a good deal of information on Buddhist ethics that isn’t scholarly or short-form. If you haven’t checked it out, Bhikkhu Cintita has a book Buddhist Life / Buddhist Path whose first half is a book on early Buddhist ethics. You’d probably get lots of useful info from the notes at the ends of the chapters. It’s also offered as a free pdf! Many Bows.
Rewatching this series about the precepts. I find it fascinating how differently people translate this one into English AND how different things they end up referring to when putting it into practice in their daily lives.
Thank you, Brad! I've been enjoying this series of videos. As it happens, I'm ten chapters into Sex, Sin, and Zen, and I'm really enjoying it. (I wish I could say I was 69 pages into it.) I'm glad we still have seven more precept videos to go! Keep 'em coming! (Nah, too easy.)
Food for thought indeed. I like all these different perceptions and then sort of getting the feeling that, even though I couldn't put it into a straight sentence, something has gelled. And the beauty of how, when you take all the different ways of saying something, they build on to one another.
Thank you Brad! I am doing Zazen for a long time and was a little bit tired. When I discovered you on the interview with Muho, I began reading your books and listening to your videos. I enjoy your fresh and honest view on Zen. It inspired me to make a new sprint with my Zazen. Keep well and fit!
Really enjoying these, Brad, and very useful material as our sangha is about to begin precept study prior to Jukai. I resonated with Dogen's three wheels being giver, receiver and gift in this context but would not claim to know better than Daido Loori Roshi!
Did Bodhidharma really say what Kobun quotes? I wonder if no one here ever had the impression to experience "becoming one" with another person through sex. Really? No one? Hmm. The rule is based on the palicanon version which is pretty clear: Do not commit adultery, do not fuck nuns and prisoners, do not have sex with those still in the care of their parents. Sorry, it is NOT as much about desire, though other passages are. It is more about a decent behaviour not disrupting a society, group, tribe, and some respect for the weak ones. How can you not have desire and function? Kobun jumped into the pool: desire to save his daughter.
The so-called Bodhidharma One Mind Precepts were probably not spoken by Bodhidharma. The history of the precepts is complicated. The version in Chinese used in many Zen temples for several centuries can be interpreted as being about excessive desire. Was Kobun's desire to save his daughter excessive?
I'd say not to have sex in an irresponsible way. That means, if you're a monk, NO sex at all, if you're not, not doing something which will have nasty consequences.
Yes. That is what John Daido Loori's translation says. But in the original, it is not stated what the Three Wheels refers to. There are other references to the Three Wheels in which the wheels are different.
@@HardcoreZen In the Tibetan tradition, which often (but not always) also means Late Stage Indian Buddhist thought, the Three Circles (khorsum) refers to subject, object and the relation in between (action). It's sort of synonymous with "dualism". These three domains are then taught to be equally and inherently pure. The concept of dualism is inherently itself naturally non-dual, in other words. Makes sense, I've always thought.
Thanks for this Brad. For my precept study, I used Rizzetto's "Waking Up To What You Do", Bernie Glassman's "Infinite Circle", and John Daido Loori's "Invoking Reality". I really appreciate the link above to the Evolution of the Precepts PDF. Since Diane Eshin Rizzetto has come up, might be worth a link for anyone curious: www.dianerizzetto.com/about
In early Buddhism it was and some forms of Buddhism still consider it to be. There isn't anything I know of in the Zen literature about the precepts that gets that specific. You may find the comment by Alex Hritsov interesting.
In ancient times it was considered to be a violation. These days I think some very strict monasteries might consider it a violation, but I don't think anyone (even in those strict places) would ever ask or check. In most Buddhist organizations these days masturbation is not considered to be a serious issue.
I did a sesshin. I felt like i understood that precept at one point. Its like i knew that if i sexualized my awareness it would pollute my awareness in some way like be a distraction from samadhi. It made sense at the time. Maybe i was just tripping balls maaaaan. At one point i also felt like the zendo was essentially just an extension of my mind and that all the stories about buddha were actually just about me (i am the reborn jesus christ lol kidding). I remember being in awe at zen in general like i understood what it was about but maybe i was just naive i dont know. I felt like i understood the teachers koan he said something like "if you understand it then show it" and after that i felt like i got it and he knew it etc.. until next time...
It was super wierd and intense though when i went to dokusan. I couldnt look at him. Maybe thats just my neurosis i dont know. Also after the sesshin when we were sitting talking i felt super wierd, super shy and self conscious. Everyone was all talking and i was just having a mad freak session.
@@snudgegalbraith3447 I think it's good to share these things openly. Either with the teacher, or even with friends, or even on the net. Rather than keeping it inside and thinking we're completely mad. Just sharing it makes it less sticky sometimes.
Yes. I actually find talking to yourself quite helpful (ive completely lost it). I cycle to a place in the country side where there isnt many people and talk through my issues with myself. Its wierd how its thereputic in some way. Talking things through helps you sort of understand and in a way direct your attitude.
