80 Buddhist Ethics The Way to Safeguard Vows a Overview b Explanation of the Different Ethics i The Ethical Conduct of the Layperson A' Purificatory Fast Precepts B' Precepts of the Lay Practitioner ii The Ethical Conduct of the Renunciate A' Rules for the Novice 1' Transgressions of the Rules 2' Related Minor Infractions 3' Related Violations of Vows Assumed during the [Intermediate] Ordination B' Rules for the Postulant Nun C' Rules for the Monk and Nun 1' Accepting a Tutor 2' The Actual Training a' Learning What Is Prohibited i' The Rules of the Monk aa' Overview bb' Extensive Explanation 1" The Defeating Offenses 2" The Partially Defeating Offenses 3" The Downfalls that Require Forfeiture or Confession Alone a" Downfalls that Require Forfeiture i" The First Set of Ten ii" The Second Set of Ten iii" The Third Set of Ten b" Downfalls that Require Confession Alone i" The First Set of Ten ii" The Second Set of Ten iii" The Third Set of Ten iv" The Fourth Set of Ten v" The Fifth Set of Ten vi" The Sixth Set of Ten vii" The Seventh Set of Ten viii" The Eighth Set of Ten ix" The Ninth Set of Ten The Vows of Personal Liberation 81 4" Offenses That Must Be Individually Confessed 5" Minor Infractions ii' The Rules of the Nun b' Training in the Prescribed Discipline i' Refinement of the Training aa' Brief Presentation bb' Extensive Explanation 1" Confession a" Purification-Renewal to Develop Mental Quiescence b" Confession to Foster Harmony 2" Rainy Season Retreat 3" Lifting of Restrictions ii' Conditions for Living Comfortably aa' Robes 1" The Making and Distribution of Monastic Robes 2" Regulations for Robes 3" The Use of Leather Articles bb' Food and Medicine iii' Formal Procedures iv' Amendment of Infractions aa' Causes of Losing the Vows bb' Amendment of Downfalls 1" Amendment by Confession 2" Amendment through Subjugation cc' Settling Disputes v' Monastery Sites and Monks’ Quarters Supplementary Discussion a Advice to Renounce Two Extremes Lifestyles b A Concise Formulation of the Ethical Code c How the Three Disciplines Coexist in an Individual B The Distinctive Features of the Vows of Personal Liberation in the Universal Way Awakening Mind The Ceremony The Preceptor The Candidate 82 Buddhist Ethics Permissible Transgressions of the Rules Amendment of Downfalls The Criterion for Loss of the Vows C The Core of Ethical Conduct D Consequences of Neglecting and Merits of Maintaining Ethical Conduct III A Synopsis of the Phases of the Path in the Individual Way Formation of the Monastic Community Establishing the Community in the Disciplinary Code Providing the Conditions for Living Comfortably Creating Incentive The Vows of Personal Liberation 83 The Vows of Personal Liberation This presentation of the personal liberation system begins with an overview of the three systems of ethics, followed by a detailed explanation of the vows of personal liberation [It concludes with an appended synopsis of the phases of the path in the Individual Way.] AN OVERVIEW OF THE THREE SYSTEMS OF ETHICS [I] To follow in the footsteps of saints, bodhisattvas, and buddhas Is to preserve a threefold morality, the foundation for all good qualities, Known as the ethics of personal liberation, of the bodhisattva, and of the awareness holder Followers of the ancient tradition of our teacher, the unsurpassable King of the Shakyas, should first train in the foundation for all good qualities, the three forms of precious morality established by the Buddha himself These disciplines contain the essence of the practice of the Buddha’s teaching The Indestructible Peak Tantra states1: When tantric adepts are renunciates, They thereby hold all three sets of vows Whose nature is the ethics of personal liberation, Of the bodhisattva, and of the awareness holder 84 Buddhist Ethics Further2: To live by the three [sets of] vows Is said to be the first cleansing These three ethical systems are known as the disciplines of the proclaimers (Ÿr›vaka), the bodhisattvas, and the transcendent ones; or as the vows of personal liberation, of the bodhisattva, and of the awareness holder (vidy›dhara) Accordingly, Atisha, the sole lord, has said: The first discipline is to train in the footsteps of the saints (arhat); the middle discipline, to train in the footsteps of the bodhisattvas of the past; and the Secret Mantra discipline, to train in the footsteps of the buddhas EXPLANATION OF THE VOWS OF PERSONAL LIBERATION [II] This section has four parts: (1) a general discussion of the vows of personal liberation of the proclaimers, (2) the distinctive features of the vows of personal liberation in the Universal Way, (3) the core of ethical conduct, and (4) the consequences [of neglecting] and the merits of maintaining ethical conduct The Vows of Personal Liberation of the Proclaimers [A] This section has six parts: (1) the essential meaning of the vows, (2) the etymology of personal liberation and its other names, (3) distinctions of the disciplines, (4) conferral of vows, (5) the way to safeguard them, and (6) a supplementary discussion Essential Meaning of the Vows [1] This section has three parts: (1) the basis for defining the vows, (2) the definition, and (3) different assertions concerning their nature The Basis for Defining the Vows [a] Concern for personal peace motivated by renunciation Forms the basis for defining the personal liberation vows of the proclaimers The basis for the definition of the vows of personal liberation of the proclaimers consists in ethics motivated by concern for one’s own peace alone This concern is not based simply on a desire to be protected from anxiety or a wish to excel, but is an intention to emerge from all aspects of cyclic existence.4 ... renunciates, They thereby hold all three sets of vows Whose nature is the ethics of personal liberation, Of the bodhisattva, and of the awareness holder 84 Buddhist Ethics Further2: To live by the three... discussion of the vows of personal liberation of the proclaimers, (2) the distinctive features of the vows of personal liberation in the Universal Way, (3) the core of ethical conduct, and (4) the consequences... ethics of personal liberation, of the bodhisattva, and of the awareness holder Followers of the ancient tradition of our teacher, the unsurpassable King of the Shakyas, should first train in the