THE PRECEPTS ARE THE FOUNDATION OF UNSURPASSED ENLIGHTENMENT
Master Jun Hong Lu: In Buddhist practice, observing the precepts is of the utmost importance. This explains why the Lord Buddha told His disciples, “Treat the precepts as your teacher” before He entered Nirvana.
By observing the precepts, you avoid committing mistakes. Only those who can observe the precepts will be accomplished in their spiritual cultivation.
If you apply the precepts in your daily life, your family will be safe and well. If you can do so at work, your career will be smooth sailing. Observing the precepts allows one to break free from greed.
There is one word that is hardly pleasing to the ear: Steal. You may wonder, is it possible for grown-ups to still steal? The truth is, there is a high chance for those who do not observe the precepts to commit stealing in all respects. For example, they may steal glances at some pornographic materials on the internet; despite doctor’s advice, they steal bites of food they are not supposed to consume and end up being ill.
Let me tell you a true story about a person who had grown accustomed to sumptuous dinners. One day, he fell ill and got himself admitted to a hospital and found out that his blood sugar level was abnormally and stubbornly high.
During his hospital stay, he was prohibited from consuming sizable meals. Needless to say, he felt hungry daily and had a hard time curbing his longing for a hearty meal.
Unable to hold back any longer, one night, he sneaked out of the hospital and made his way to a restaurant to relish a sumptuous meal. Upon his return to his hospital bed, his blood sugar level shot through the roof, and by the next day, he was pronounced dead. Isn’t this an act of stealing?
Humans commit stealing in many aspects, including peeping, eavesdropping and sneaking food which bring a lot of troubles to themselves.
Starting from pilfering something minor, one may eventually have the audacity to even snatch another person from their family. They are the ‘spouse poachers’ who are responsible for family conflicts that can escalate to the point where one partner kills the other or legal action ensues. These are some of the potential dire consequences for not observing the precepts.
For Buddhist practitioners, you are not supposed to bring back the fruits that you bring to the temple as offerings at your whims and fancies. This is because the fruits are offerings to the Bodhisattvas and hence, if you take them without the approval of the monastic of the temple, you are considered to have committed an act of stealing. This is just like stealthily bringing home a gift given to another person – isn’t this stealing?
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Daily Buddhism In Plain Terms, 15 June 2021