seventh world of chan buddhism - Zen Buddhist Order of Hsu Yun

would not be able to perform such good works. We may not cultivate the personas of
philanthropists to mask simple egotistic greed. We are not permitted to take that which is not
honestly and reasonably given or earned.
Sometimes in a spasm of religious enthusiasm we donate money that is needed for
family maintenance and thereby place the burden of our largesse upon the shoulders of our
dependents. In order that we may take our place proudly among the righteous, we impose our
vow of poverty or our claims to generosity upon family members who do not participate in
the spiritual rewards of our decisions. This constitutes a form of theft especially since what
we usually most rob our family of is their respect for Buddhism. Inevitably they resent our
religion and turn away from it. And who can blame them?
A forty year old man who strives for simplicity is not at liberty to divert his family's
clothing budget to charity, forcing his wife and children to wear the old but serviceable
clothes of plain, god-fearing folk. To all teenagers and not a few wives it is more important
that a coat be fashionable than that it be warm.
5. Non-intoxication
Except for an occasional fiesta, no use of intoxicants and other mind altering
substances is permitted. And fiesta or no fiesta, this means no drinking and driving. This
also means no sitting around getting stoned because there's a quorum that passes for a party
and nothing else for a leisurely group of people to do. There's no dependence upon sleeping
pills to get us through the night or tranquilizers, nicotine or other stimulants to get us through
the day.
Salvation frees us from chemical dependence and anyone who has a problem with
dependence is well advised to work for his salvation.
These are the Five Precepts. In addition to observing them, we must take actions
which are consonant with the goals of spiritual maturity. It isn't enough to worry about the
obstacles we encounter on the Path. We may not create obstacles for others. Therefore, we
take action to elevate our sense of personal responsibility.
We don't help ourselves to the possessions of others telling ourselves that the owner
won't mind or that the owner in the course of some previous unresolved transaction has
forfeited some of his rights of ownership. ("He took my Twinkies therefore I'm entitled to his
Pepsi.")
We don't take things out of their places of storage and then leave them lying around
for others to put away. We don't eat and leave a mess for others to clean up.
CHAPTER 14 RIGHT ACTION
S EVENTH W ORLD O F C HAN B UDDHISM
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