The Tweleth of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

12) The Twelfth Gate: Mindfulness of precepts.

Mindfulness of precepts is a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with it] we fulfill all vows.(Nishijima/Cross)

Mindfulness of the precepts is a gate of realizing Dharma; it fully contains all vows. (Tanahashi)

Gate Gatha:

May we, together with all buddhas;
Renew and Fulfill all our vows;
That we may keep steadfast on the path.

Reflection Prompts:

1. Can you briefly explain how the precepts assists in fulfilling all vows?

2. Do you see any small difference between the two translations above?

3. Is this difference significant?

Capping Verse:

One must realize
That the map
Is actual size

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[aprapti]

Do you see any small difference between the two translations above?

3. Is this difference significant?

yes, there is a difference between mindfulness of precepts (you must be mindful of a part of the precepts) and mindfulness of the precepts (you must be mindful of all precepts). This difference in grammar and meaning is present in Dutch, i do not know if this difference is there in English.

aprapti


sat

[Tairin]

Thank you Shokai

1. Can you briefly explain how the precepts assists in fulfilling all vows?

“All vows” is pretty expansive but I assume that by all vows we are talking about the vows to follow the Precepts and the Bodhisattva vows

I think we see each year during the Precepts study towards Jukai how the Precepts support and reinforce each other. Our vow to follow the Precepts is really a vow to lead a wholesome and harmonious life here and now

The Bodhisattva vows extend those vows out endlessly.

2. Do you see any small difference between the two translations above?
3. Is this difference significant?

Not really. There are subtle differences in the words but they are both just different fingers pointing at the same moon.


Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Tai Do]

Thank you, Shokai, for bringing us the Twelfth Gate.

1. Can you briefly explain how the precepts assists in fulfilling all vows?

Being mindful of the Precepts and following them help us save all sentient beings, transform our delusions, perceive the Dharma and attain the Enlightened Way.

2. Do you see any small difference between the two translations above?

The Nishijima/Cross translation focus on the fulfillment of the vows, while the Tanahashi translation focus on the idea that the Precepts contain the vows.

3. Is this difference significant?

Like Tairin said, the differences are not significant and present two aspects of the Precepts and Vows.

Gassho,
Mateus
Satlah

[Guest]

Can you briefly explain how the precepts assists in fulfilling all vows?

2. Do you see any small difference between the two translations above?

3. Is this difference significant?

Like guardrails on the open road, the precepts are markers for us on the path so that we continue in the right direction. Since our practice is simply this everyday expression of our true nature, our vows to continue to realize this in our everyday lives is aided by some guidelines keeping us on course. Fulfilling all vows and containing all vows point to the same thing. When we follow the precepts we fulfill our vows and thus the precepts contain all vows. I do not see a significant difference between the translations other than one might get snagged on the word fulfill as if it were an obligation handed down by someone else. When we live by vow, we are aligned to the precepts. When we live by the precepts we are aligned to our vow. Thus the precepts contains all vows. Realizing Dharma is not some ah, ha moment. To realize means to make it real, to make it function in the world. When it we fulfill our vows, the true Thusness of Dharma is made real and it contains everything including all vows and precepts to actualize our vows.

Gassho,

Bill (Daiman)

Stlah

[Shokai]