Buddhism

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By A.S.D Inc.
and Owner

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for which carry with them the implication of punishment if they're broken, precepts are ideals of attitude & conduct. If there is a punishment for the breaking of them, it's always either karmic (thus unavoidable whether one knew the precept or not) or self imposed. The Three Pure Precepts are:

1. Cease to do evil

2. Do only good.

3. Do good for others.

It is in the taking of the Three Refuges (formally) & the following of the Three Pure Precepts that makes one a Buddhist or not.

Traditionally, becoming a Buddhist has always been quite simple. In the 1st days of the Great Teacher, there were no laymen or laywomen, just monks & later nuns who approached the Sangha (community) & asked admittance. They publicly recited a small formula & were admitted to the group. Later rules for deportment were created. With this evolution, the creation of the Buddhist laity also took place. The vows for the laity, then & today, are the same "Three Refuges" that were taken by the 1st followers at the Deer Park at Benares some 26 centuries ago. With these Refuges came the Three Pure Precepts. Unlike 'rules'

Tibetan Buddhism

Unifying the Thervada & the Mahayana

1. The Buddha is our only Master.
2. We take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, & the Sangha.
3. We don't believe that this world is created & ruled by a God.
4. Following the example of the Buddha, who is the embodiment of Great Compassion
for all living beings & Great Wisdom, we consider that the purpose of life is to develop compassion for all living beings without discrimination & to

work for their good, happiness, & peace, & to develop wisdom leading to the realization of Ultimate Truth.
5. We accept the Four Noble Truths, namely Dukkha (Suffering), the Arising of Dukkha, the Cessation of Dukkha, & the Path leading to the Cessation of Dukkha & the universal law of cause & effect as taught in the pratitya-samutpada (Conditioned Genesis or Dependant Origination).

6. We understand, according to the teaching of the Buddha, that all conditioned things   are impermanent & dukkha, & that all conditioned & unconditioned things are              without self.
7. We accept the 37 Qualities conducive to Enlightenment as different aspects of the     Path taught by the Buddha leading to Enlightentment.
8. There are 3 ways of attaining bodhi or Enlightenment, according to the ability &       capacity of each indivudual, namely as a disciple, as a Pratyeka Buddha & as a             Samyaksam Buddha (perfectly & Fully Enlightened Buddha). We accept it as the          highest, noblest, & most heroic to follow the career of a Bodhisattva & to become a     Samyaksam Buddha in order to save others.
9. We admin that in different countries there are differences with regard to the life of    Buddhist monks, popular Buddhist beliefs & practices, rites & ceremonies, customs      & habits. The external forms & expressions should not be confused with the                essential teachings of the Buddha.

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