Contemplation: Precepts

After reviewing the guidelines for practice, take the following as your contemplation:

How should followers of the teaching practice the observance of precepts?

They are not to kill, to steal, to commit adultery, to be double-tongued, to slander, to lie, or to utter exaggerated speech.  They are to free themselves from greed, jealousy, cheating, deceit, flattery, crookedness, anger, hatred, and perverse views.  If they happen to be monks who have renounced family life, they should also, in order to cut off and suppress defilements, keep themselves away from the hustle and bustle of the world and, always residing in solitude, should learn to be content with the least desire and should practice vigorous ascetic disciplines.  They should be repelled and filled with awe by any slight fault and should feel regret and repent.  They should not take lightly any of the Tathagata's precepts.  They should guard themselves from slander and from showing dislike so as not to rouse people in their delusion to commit any offense or sin.

The Awakening of Faith (trans. Hakeda), p. 94.  Punctuation and diction altered slightly, and presented in honor of those who took the five lay precepts last weekend in our sangha.

Contemplation: I Wear the Tathagata's Teachings

After reviewing the guidelines for practice, take the following as your object of contemplation:

Vast is the robe of emptiness
A formless field of benefaction
I wear the Tathagata's teachings
Saving all sentient beings

"The Verse of the Kesa" as recited at Tendai Buddhist Institute, posted in honor of our local sangha members taking refuge this week.

Contemplation: The Practice of Generosity

After reviewing the guidelines for practice, take the following as your topic for contemplation:

Question:  How should someone practice generosity?

Answer:  If he sees anyone coming to him begging, he should give him the wealth and other things in his possession in so far as he is able; thus, while freeing himself from greed and avarice, he causes the beggar to be joyful.  Or, if he sees one who is in hardship, in fear, or in grave danger, he should give him freedom from fear in so far as he is able.  If someone comes to seek instruction in the teaching, he should, according to his ability and understanding, explain it by the use of expedient means.  In doing so, however, he should not expect any fame, material gain, or respect, but he should think only of benefiting himself and others alike and of extending the merit that he gains from the practice of charity toward the attainment of enlightenment.

The Awakening of Faith (trans. Hakeda), pp.93.  Punctuation and diction altered slightly.

Contemplation: Four Kinds of Faith

After reviewing the guidelines for practice, take the following as your object of contemplation:

Question:  What kind of faith should someone have and how should he or she practice it?

Answer:  Briefly, there are four kinds of faith.  The first is the faith in the Ultimate Source.  Because of this faith, someone comes to meditate with joy on the principle of Suchness.  The second is faith in the numberless excellent qualities of the Buddhas.  Because of this faith, someone comes to meditate on them always, to draw near to them in fellowship, to honor them, and to respect them, developing his capacity for goodness and seeking after the all-embracing knowledge.  The third is faith in the great benefits of the Dharma (Teaching).  Because of this faith, someone comes constantly to remember and practice various disciplines leading to enlightenment.  The fourth is faith in the Sangha (Buddhist Community) whose members are able to devote themselves to the practice of benefiting both themselves and others.  Because of this faith, someone comes to approach the assembly of Bodhisattvas constantly and with joy and to seek instruction from them in the correct practice.

The Awakening of Faith (trans. Hakeda), pp.92-93.  Punctuation and diction altered slightly.

Contemplation: Pass Through It

After reviewing the guidelines for practice, take the following as your object of contemplation:

Even if the whole world is on fire,
Be sure to pass through it to hear the Dharma;
Then you will surely enter the Buddha's enlightenment
And everywhere deliver beings from the river of birth and death.

The Three Pure Land Sutras (the Larger Sutra), p. 41

Contemplation: My Good Friend

After reviewing the guidelines for practice, take the following as your object of contemplation:

If you have heard the Dharma and do not forget it
But adore and revere it with great joy,
You are my good friend.  For this reason,
You should awaken the aspiration for enlightenment.

The Three Pure Land Sutras (the Larger Sutra), p. 41

Contemplation: Reach the Heart

After reviewing the guidelines for practice, take the following as your object of contemplation:

To obtain human life is difficult in the extreme;
To meet a Buddha in this world is also difficult;
It is difficult, too, for a person to attain faith and wisdom.
Once you have heard the Dharma, strive to reach its heart.

The Three Pure Land Sutras (the Larger Sutra), p. 41