Strengthening the Power of Bodhicitta through the Six Principles for Daily Living (II)

The third principle is the Three Virtues: physical virtue, verbal virtue, and mental virtue. Through the body, one refrains from the three physical non-virtues of killing, stealing, and sexual misconduct. Through speech, one avoids the four non-virtuous deeds of divisive speech, harsh speech, senseless chatter, and false speech. If people are to live together in harmony, there must be no divisiveness; if a team is to remain harmonious, divisiveness likewise has no place. Our peace is intimately connected with our verbal karma. As for the mind, we must cultivate virtuous intentions and refrain from harboring malice that harms others. Everything we experience is an expression of karma. Karma, in essence, is the driving force of our lives. This life-force arises from desire; without desire, there would be no action and no conceptual elaboration. Therefore, if we wish for peace, we must refrain from creating non-virtuous karma.

The fourth principle is the Four Givings. In learning and practicing the Buddhadharma, we should consistently be mindful of altruism. Whatever we have should be shared rather than seized or taken from others; giving fundamentally means sharing. We give others hope by encouraging them and inspiring confidence in them. Hope is the motivation for effort, and hope is also a source of light. We provide convenient conditions for others by adapting ourselves to circumstances and making things easier for others when situations require it. Giving convenience is likewise a way of giving confidence. The Four Givings embody what should be practiced on the bodhisattva path. They should become the skillful means through which our Dharmapala administrative leaders guide and benefit sentient beings.

The fifth principle is the Five Excellences. Through the Five Excellences, we offer others right values and provide them with right mindfulness so that they may develop well. In human relationships, right mindfulness should serve as our navigation system, guiding us toward compassion, loving-kindness, and ultimately along the path to buddhahood. Thus, right mindfulness serves as leadership—it guides sentient beings toward lives that are positive, proactive, and optimistic. Loving-kindness nourishes all forms of life, for every being needs love and care. The essence of the Five Excellences is to place right mindfulness at the forefront and, through it, guide everyone toward the correct direction.

Practicing the bodhisattva path is a commitment that extends throughout lifetime after lifetime. To generate bodhicitta means that, until sentient beings attain buddhahood, we will never forsake them. Therefore, our connection with the Buddha is established through bodhicitta. By firmly upholding these Six Principles for Daily Living, we can continuously generate bodhicitta and advance along the path toward buddhahood.