shingon buddhism.....broken precepts?

minimayhen88

Dear all whom may spare the time,

In Shingon Buddhism, are there any factors / conditions ..... that should be present, for a precept or vow to be broken?

For example, in Tibetan Buddhism ... there must be *a desire to abstain from such an action in the future.

Kindly,

Claudie

minimayhen88

.....any links to websites would be fantastic x

Dakini

Do you mean, "for a precept or vow to be broken", or do you mean, after a vow has been broken, what factors/conditions need to be present to remedy the situation? In TB, one confesses to one's teacher, with a sincere desire to adhere to the vow in the future, as you mentioned. And a little ceremony is done, if only acknowledgement of the error, and forgiveness.

I don't know about other traditions, but I believe that confession is common to all.

minimayhen88

I meant "for a precept or vow to be broken" what conditions should be present....x

Dakini

In Buddhism, are there any factors / conditions ..... that should be present, for a precept or vow to be broken?
For example, in Tibetan Buddhism ... there must be *a desire to abstain from such an action in the future.

Anyone with a desire to abstain from such action in the future isn't going to break the vow in the first place. This is what is confusing me about your question. In TB there are habitual vow-breakers, so there is no intent to abstain from the action in the future. The most spectacular example of complete disregard for vows is Zen roshi, Eido Shimano. From what I understand, his "career" of chronic vow-breaking spanned 30 years. The Zen community on the national level is still grappling with this problem. It's very sad. But to address your question, in such cases there is no desire at all to abstain from such actions ever. I don't know which sect E.S. represented, but you could easily find out by Googling him.

aMatt

In Shingon Buddhism, are there any factors / conditions ..... that should be present, for a precept or vow to be broken?

The vows aren't commandments... like in Judaism where commandments can be broken to defend your life or the torah and whatnot. The are a personal commitment to govern our decisions by their direction. Your question isn't answerable, because the precepts are usually broken spontaneously, where the mind gets cloudy and we act without wisdom.

Dakini

Desire and heedlessness, I'd say, need to be present. Lack of discipline, or lack of awareness of the consequences of the action. Lack of wisdom, as aMatt says.

minimayhen88

Great insight, Thank you x