The Laity and the Vinaya Discipline

[Shi Da Dao]

Although some of us here - are members of the ordained Sangha (Maha-Sangha) perhaps the vast majority are ordinary people spread throughout the world (including China) who are engaged in any and all types of everyday activity! Obviously, as we write in the English, those from other languages groups often make use of international translation (software) programmes and join in with us in this way. Good. I would recommend a study of the Vinaya Discipline as translated by Max Muller (during the 19th century) for the 'Sacred Books of the East' Series - which to my mind is still a very good rendition which has assisted untold numbers of Buddhist practitioners. As well as this, there are numerous up to date books which deal with various aspects of the Vinaya Discipline (the work of Sukumar Dutt, for example). I would study the Vinaya Discipline alongside the Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra in both its Chinese (translated by Charles Luk), and Tibetan (translated by Robert Thurman) renditions. Of course, if we perceive ourselves as the 'laity' we should declare our spiritual independence whilst making sure we fully support those who are engaged in the monastic path. The 'empty mind ground' of course, underlies 'equally' ALL states of being! Interestingly, Vimalakirti teaches about the 'non-attached' mind which is disengaged from all worldly phenomena (whilst being in the midst of all worldly phenomena), and yet continuously communing with the empty mind ground! Do not be afraid or intimidated by the Vinaya Discipline - but become aware of its structure and purpose without employing a discriminating mind! Below are two pages from the Introduction of Max Muller's Vinaya Text: