Zen in Ten: The Grave Precepts

Three Versions, One Source

Photo by Ganapathy Kumar on Unsplash.com

As Zen practitioners, every month we renew our Bodhisattva vows during a full moon ceremony (Ryaku Fusatsu). We recite the 16 precepts, but since this is Zen in Ten, below are the ten grave precepts. The first lines are from Soto Zen liturgy; the second from Diane Rizzetto’s book; and the third lines are Dogen’s comments.

1. I vow not to kill.

   1. I take up the way of supporting life.

   2. By not killing life the Buddha seed tree grows. Transmit the life of the Buddha and do not kill.

2. I vow not to take what is not given.

   1. I take up the way of taking only what is freely given and giving freely of all that I can.

   2. The self and objects are such as they are, two yet one. The gate of liberation stands open.

3. I vow not to misuse sexuality.

   1. I take up the way of engaging in sexual intimacy respectfully and with an open heart.

   2. Let the three wheels of self, object and action be pure. With nothing to desire, one goes along with the Buddhas.

4. I vow to refrain from false speech.

   1. I take up the way of speaking truthfully.

   2. The Dharma Wheel turns from the beginning. There is no surplus or lack. The sweet dew saturates all and harvests the truth.

5. I vow to refrain from intoxicants.

   1. I take up the way of cultivating a clear mind.

   2. Originally pure, don’t defile. This is the Great Awareness.

6. I vow not to slander.

   1. I take up the way of speaking of others with openness and possibility.

   2. In the Buddhadharma, go together, appreciate together, realize together, and actualize together. Do not permit fault finding. Do not permit haphazard talk. Do not corrupt the Way.

7. I vow not to praise self at the expense of others.

   1. I take up the way of meeting others on equal ground.

   2. Buddhas and ancestors realize the vast sky and the great earth. When they manifest the noble body, there is neither inside nor outside in emptiness. When they manifest the Dharma body there is not even a bit of earth on the ground.

8. I vow not to be avaricious.

   1. I vow not to spare the Dharma assets.

   2. One phrase, one verse, that is the ten thousand things and the one hundred grasses. One Dharma, one realization is all Buddhas and ancestors. Therefore from the beginning there’s been no stinginess at all.

9. I vow not to harbor ill will.

   1. I take up the way of letting go of anger.¹

   2. Not negative, not positive, neither real nor unreal. There is an ocean of illuminated and bright clouds.

10. I vow not to disparage the Three Treasures.²

    1. I vow not to defame the Three Treasures.

    2. To expound the Dharma with this body is foremost. The virtue returns to the ocean of reality. It is unfathomable. We just accept it with respect and gratitude.³

1. Rizetto, Diane Eshin. Waking up to What You Do. Boston & London, Shambhala, 2006.

2. Soto Zen liturgy at San Francisco Zen Center.

3. Dogen Zenji.