The world of Tzu Chi July 2020 (Vol.124)

2020 • 07 46 harma Upholding the precepts sets us apart from ordinary people “T hose who uphold the pure precepts must not engage in peddling, selling or trading, take possession of land or houses, or raise or keep dependents, slaves, servants or livestock. They must not undertake farming or accumulate wealth; they must stay as far away from all these as one would a fire pit. They must not cut grass or trees, nor till or dig the soil. Furthermore, they must not make medicine, become a fortune teller, or use astrology to predict profit and loss or make divinatory calculations. They must discipline their body and eat at the right time, and maintain purity in living. They must not participate in worldly affairs or act as emissaries. Do not use witchcraft or magic potions, or associate with those in high positions and thus become disrespectful and arrogant. Instead, you should rectify your own mind, maintain right mindfulness and strive to transform yourselves. Do not cover up flaws or display extraordinary powers to delude others. With regards to the Four Offerings, you must be self-disciplined and content. When you receive offerings, you must not hoard them.” People who uphold the pure precepts must, first of all, pay attention to ten things: First, they must not engage in peddling. Peddling is the exchange of inexpensive goods for expensive ones, and using skilful means to earn profit. As Buddhist practitioners, we must avoid these kinds of wrongdoings – we must not take advantage of others. Second, do not engage in selling. Some people are short-sighted; when they see something they want, they pursue it at all costs. They want to attain wealth in a short amount of time, so they disregard their character to make profit from improper goods. Or perhaps they charge a high price for cheap goods to attain easy money. These are both unethical behaviours. An example is drug dealing. Illicit drugs harm both the body and mind, so selling drugs is an unethical trade. Other examples include selling illegal video games, which can harm young people’s purity of mind. There are also businessmen profiting from pornography, sex business and so on, without concerns for how their business can corrupt people’s minds and break families apart – they only focus on selfishly seeking profits. Our society needs trade to enable people to live a convenient and stable life. However, as the saying goes, “When a gentleman pursues wealth, he does it the proper CHAPTER 2 - UPHOLD PRECEPTS