Learning to Uphold Precepts: Dongshan Lecture Hall Collection 12

Author: Huang Shengchang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-07-01
Features: Huang Shengchang's new work Learning to Uphold Precepts is another significant contribution following his annotations on the Aggancetaka Sutta. It can be considered a commentary and supplementary text to that sutra, serving as an excellent guide for learning Buddhism and living a life of fundamental practice, essential for both beginners and seasoned practitioners. This book goes beyond conventional, dogmatic discussions on precepts, drawing inspiration from the spirit of "extracting precepts and discussing constancy" (zhuolu tanchang) from the Mahaparinirvana Sutra and its exposition of the causes, sufficiency, and differences of precepts, as well as the principles of establishing, relying on, protecting, and breaking precepts. Addressing the urgent need to strengthen precept observance in the Buddhist community, this work sets forth its teachings and arguments. Truly, it is a commendable effort by a dedicated propagator of the Dharma.
Thus, while this book does not explicitly discuss the four categories of precepts—precept body, precept law, precept practice, and precept fruit—it elucidates all four within the framework of the ten precepts. Similarly, although it does not directly address the "precepts that encompass all rules" (shuiliyi jing), this is already covered in the three major classifications of precepts. To attain great nirvana, one must uphold precepts.
This book, based on the Mahaparinirvana Sutra and combined with the Aggancetaka Sutta, provides a detailed discussion on practicing the ten precepts. It stands out as a unique and refreshing approach, deserving of praise and admiration.