An important part of our preparation for Jukai at Treeleaf is the study of the bodhisattva precepts. We take 4 months to slowly read different takes and explanations on each precept, ponder them and engage in discussion on them as a sangha. It is essential that we come to a personal understanding of the precepts before we can wholeheartedly commit to them.

Throughout these 4 months, the shusos that assist and guide the precept study also offer monthly talks on different aspects of practice and the role the precepts have in it.

During the first month of our Ango practice period, we go through the first three precepts, known as the three refugees or devotions and we also tackle the first three pure precepts. In our sangha, these are formulated as:

“Respectful devotion to Buddha, Respectful devotion to Dharma, Respectful devotion to Sangha.
Devotion to Buddha, the Supreme One; Devotion to Dharma, the Supreme Purity & Teaching;
Devotion to Sangha, the Supreme Community.
Perfect devotion to Buddha, Perfect devotion to Dharma, Perfect devotion to Sangha.”

The Three Pure & Universal Precepts:

“No.1: To seek as you can, in this body and life, to avoid doing harm
No.2: To seek as you can, in this body and life, to live in a healthful and helping way, doing good
No.3: To seek as you can, in this body and life, to live for the benefit of all Sentient Beings.“

The Precept Shuso for September is our senior priest, Washin, who is offering a dharma talk on the topic of “Living in Peace and Non-Violence in this World“. The talk is accompanied by a live discussion.

The format for this meeting is :

– a few minutes of Zazen, right where you are
– talk on the topic 10-15 minutes
– free discussion
– the Verse of Atonement and the Four Vows

The event takes place in our Treeleaf Meeting Room, is open to everyone, is offered at no cost and will be recorded for later viewing. It will also be streamed lived on YouTube for anyone that cannot join the Zoom room. For local times for this event, please check the Practice Calendar.