Master Mingzhen: On the cultivation of the mind, keeping precepts as the basis

Looking at the world today, there are many people who have cut their hair into monks; and those who are determined to practice are also incomparable.Those who want to achieve great liberation in their lifetime are hard to count.Even fell into the devil's way, the top-grade demon king, the middle-crystal demon citizen, and the lower-grade witch.What did you say? I should think about it repeatedly.Is it useless to truly cultivate the mind? Is it not helpful to suppress the fact that people in ancient and modern times have not met each other? Otherwise, why is it difficult for Buddha to achieve this?After careful study, we can understand it.Now, I have realized it with relief and insight, and know that the reason why it is difficult for him to become a Buddha is because he has not understood the essence of cultivating his mind.Practicing indiscriminately is like cooking sand, and trying to make good food, this is an impossible thing in the world.However, what is the essence of cultivating the mind? It is just to keep the precepts.Why is the precepts the foundation of mind cultivation? It also explains them.The precept can prevent evil from being invisible and stop it from happening before it happens, so that sentient beings can move away from their sins without knowing it themselves. This precept can destroy evil.The precepts give birth to concentration, and wisdom is generated through concentration, which is called the three non-leakage learning; once the three studies are completed, all virtues are perfected and all virtues are possessed, these precepts can produce two good things.Bodhi Nirvana is based on precepts, and Buddhas and sages are based on precepts; to eliminate troubles, there is no way to achieve their achievements without precepts; to escape from birth and death, there is no way to achieve their effectiveness without precepts. This precept can be the three saints.Be strict and majestic, be careful of your body and mouth, have no frivolous habits, have dignified and rude behavior, be respected by man and heaven, admire ghosts and gods, be exempted from sins of insults and arrogance, and be blessed with faith. This precept can be revered.If one precept can be kept and the four beauties are collected together, it is said that it is the basis of cultivating the mind, isn’t it appropriate?In ancient times, the reason why Shakyamuni Maitreya was correct at that time and made his name in later generations was that there must be no one who could be lucky if he did not adhere to the precepts.Therefore, when the opportunity is about to end and show Nirvana, my Buddha said diligently and hard, and repeatedly asked Ananda to be a teacher. He hoped that sentient beings in the Dharma-Ending Age would do this precept, practice this precept, recite this precept in his mouth, and keep this precept in his heart.Be a pure man and become a born husband? Scrape the dust and dirt in the heart, polish the light of the mind, and wash away countless disasters to bring despicable actions and dirty behaviors.This shows that my Buddha's compassion and wishes are universal, my love for things is so great, my compassion is so deep that I can save others! Even though we are broken, we still have some shortcomings in repaying our kindness.Moreover, if you deliberately do not observe the precepts and violate the Buddhist system, your crime will not be described in the case of writing and ink.In the everlasting light, my Buddha looked at this evil monk with his wisdom eyes. He saw this evil monk blatantly and openly doing evil, and he would cry and cry.But what will happen? I just swear to follow the will of the Buddha, to follow the rules of monks, to improve ordinary habits, and to eliminate deterioration.The pure thoughts appear in front of you at all times, and the contaminated mind is always behind you, so that you can only live up to the merciful life of my Buddha.If you want to live up to your kindness, you must first observe the Buddha's precepts carefully.If you can keep the Buddha's precepts carefully, you will not look at the eyes, listen to the ears, smell the nose, taste the tongue, don't touch the body, and don't move the mind. Over time, you will be completely confused and empty. Even if you use one of the precepts, you will transcend the wonderful and majestic road, how difficult is it? Precepts! Is the precepts! The true resources for becoming a Buddha are the foundation of the ancestors and the foundation of cultivating the mind.My monk should hold on to it without breaking it.If you don’t commit it, you will be gone. If you commit it, you will fall into the Avici Hell and suffer immeasurable pain.If you do not hear the name of Buddha, do not know how to practice Taoism, and will be in danger of falling forever, and there will be no future. How can you not be sad?

(Originally published in the second issue of "Fahai" in 1929 )