Auxiliary bodhisattva ethical restraints 21-25

• Developing the proper motivation for gathering disciples
• Dispelling the three types of laziness
• Avoiding spending time idly talking and joking
• Seeking out the conditions and teachings for the development of serenity
• Abandoning the five hindrances to concentration

96 Gomchen Lamrim: Auxiliary Bodhisattva Ethical Restraints No. 21-25 (download)

Contemplation points

Venerable Chodron continued the commentary on the bodhisattva ethical code. Consider them one by one, in light of the commentary given. For each, consider the following:

1. In what situations have you seen yourself act this way in the past or under what conditions might it be easy to act this way in the future (it might help to consider how you’ve seen this negativity in the world)? Consider some of the examples Venerable shared.
2. Which of the ten non-virtues is the precept helping you to restrain from committing?
3. What are some of the exceptions to the precept and why?
4. Which of the six perfections is the precept eliminating obstacles to and how?
5. What are the antidotes that can be applied when you are tempted to act contrary to the precept?
6. Why is this precept so important to the bodhisattva path? How does breaking it harm yourself and others? How does keeping it benefit yourself and others?
7. Resolve to be mindful of the precept in your daily life.

Precepts covered this week:

To eliminate obstacles to the far-reaching practice of joyous effort, abandon:

• Auxiliary Precept #21: Gathering a circle of friends or disciples because of your desire for respect or profit.
• Auxiliary Precept #22: Not dispelling the three types of laziness (sloth, attraction to destructive actions, and self-pity and discouragement).
• Auxiliary Precept #23: With attachment, spending time idly talking and joking.

To eliminate obstacles to the far-reaching practice of meditative stabilization, abandon:

• Auxiliary Precept #24: Not seeking the means to develop concentration, such as proper instructions and the right conditions necessary to do so. Not practicing the instructions once you have received them.
• Auxiliary Precept #25: Not abandoning the five obscurations which hinder meditative stabilization: excitement and regret, harmful thought, sleep and dullness, desire, and doubt.