Benefits of practicing the Pratimoksha

• Why is taking precepts special kind of ethical conduct
• Three Vinaya lineages and their commentaries
• Practicing the ethical code increases contentment and decreases craving
• Fortitude benefits lead to ultimate happiness of Nirvana
• Four ways of refining the virtue
• Help others if possible and not harm others
• Retraining our mind
• Precepts to be adjusted for contemporary societies but look at Buddha’s intention

28 Benefits of Practicing the Pratimoksha (download)

Contemplation points

1. What are the reasons why taking precepts is a special kind of ethical conduct?
2. How does practicing ethical conduct in a monastic context help to cultivate contentment? How does this benefit a monastic practitioner’s spiritual practice?
3. The text asserts that true contentment comes not from having all our desires fulfilled but from freeing ourselves from being under the control of those desires. Take some time to consider this. Do you find that true in your own life? How might a deep conviction in this affect your behavior?
4. How does fortitude lead to happiness in this life? Consider each of the four “real ascetic practices” and how each leads to increasing our fortitude and, as a result, our happiness. How do they embody the principle of, “When possible, help others. When that is not possible, at least don’t harm them.”
   • If others are angry with you, do not react with anger but with fortitude.
   • If others hit you, do not attack them back.
   • If others criticize you, do not criticize them in return.
   • If others embarrass or insult you, do not respond by embarrassing or insulting them.
5. If we are physically sick, most of us will try to abandon the activities that make us sick. Similarly as you examine your own life, do you consider ignorance, anger, and attachment a mental disease? Do you try to abandon them knowing that they cause you pain? What can you do to retrain your own mind and see the afflictions in this context?
6. If we are physically sick, most of us will try to abandon the activities that make us sick. Similarly as you examine your own life, do you consider ignorance, anger, and attachment a mental disease? Do you try to abandon them knowing that they cause you pain? What can you do to retrain your own mind and see the afflictions in this context?