By Miao Yi

The Ten Precepts of Guang Huan Mi Zong comprise the Five Precepts for Converted Students and the Five Precepts for Converted Disciples. These precepts were meticulously established by the compassionate Holy Master Ziguang Shang Shi, tailored to the distinct requirements of students and disciples. They serve as fundamental guidelines for speech, actions, and thoughts, ensuring that practitioners do not go astray or accumulate negative karma on their spiritual path. This reflects the Master’s profound wisdom and painstaking efforts in protecting his students and disciples.

In Buddhism, precepts hold an essential place under the principle of “taking the precepts as the teacher.” They act as a mirror, allowing practitioners to reflect upon and correct themselves. Throughout history, numerous Buddhist precepts have been passed down, but some have deviated from the original teachings of Sakyamuni Buddha, while others have become outdated and no longer align with the needs of modern society.

Therefore, establishing precepts that are relevant to contemporary society—practical, accessible, and enforceable—is a crucial responsibility of Buddhism in this “Dharma Varnishing Era.” The essence of true Dharma is reflected in such rightful and timely regulations.

The precepts formulated by Holy Master Ziguang Shang Shi, much like pure dewdrops, have undergone extensive refinement and distillation. They embody the core qualities of Guang Huan Mi Zong teachings—practical, applicable to daily life, and providing a precise standard for practitioners to examine their thoughts, words, and deeds.

The Ten Precepts form the foundation of all precepts in Guang Huan Mi Zong. They align seamlessly with actual practice, as they were developed in response to mistakes made by some students and disciples during their learning process—errors that should not have been committed and karmic burdens that should not have been created. These precepts are thus intended to prevent future practitioners from repeating the same missteps and incurring similar karmic consequences.

Furthermore, the Ten Precepts are structured in a progressive manner. They begin with the fundamental principles for Converted Students and ascend to the firm commitment required of Converted Students. This hierarchy represents a significant elevation in spiritual discipline, transitioning from an introductory phase to deeper engagement, from ethical conduct to the essential tenets of practice.

Therefore, taking precepts is an essential preliminary step in Guang Huan Mi Zong’s path. Once students and disciples have taken the precepts, they gain a sense of belonging and clarity regarding words, action, and thought. With the precepts as their foundation, they acquire a solid support system, allowing them to navigate the spiritual path with fewer obstacles, avoiding pitfalls, steering clear of dangers, and gaining the wisdom and courage to overcome all challenges.

Notably, among the Ten Precepts, the “Secret Dharma Precept” stands out. Like the other nine, it sets forth essential guidelines for the body, speech, and mind of practitioners. What’s more, it also elaborates on the three secrets—body, speech, and mind in their esoteric aspect—making it a scripture within the precepts. This unique attribute exemplifies the profound brilliance of Holy Master in shaping a modern system of Buddhist precepts, scriptures, and treatises—where precepts contain scriptures, scriptures hold treatises, and treatises uphold precepts.

In my early years, I was fortunate to progress from Holy Master’s Converted Student to Converted Disciple, then a Preaching Instructor, and finally an ordained Preacher. Throughout my journey, the Ten Precepts have been my unwavering companions, supporting my spiritual growth. Words cannot express my deep gratitude. I sincerely hope that these Ten Precepts will be preserved, along with their scriptures, treatises, and interpretations, so that future generations with the Affinity may continuously hear Holy Master’s invaluable teachings on precepts and Dharma.