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Ch'an Buddhism ... how is a vow / precept broken?

minimayhen88minimayhen88 Veteran
edited October 2011 in Buddhism Basics
I'm doing some research into different buddhist traditions and the vows / precepts.

In Ch'an buddhism (which I believe is relativeley disciplined, with a good ethical code) .. are there any factors involved in breaking ethical precepts / vows. For instance ... 'not to repeat such an action in the future.'

Kindly x x

Comments

  • Ada_BAda_B
    Er, all schools of Buddhism have "a good ethical code" - they all follow the Noble Eightfold Path.

    Having practised Ch'an and now Tibetan Karma Kagyu, I wouldn't say either were more disciplined than the other. I have friends who are Therevada and Zen, and I'd say the same about their traditions too.

    The techniques vary, and the emphases vary, but I guess I'm just a little concerned as to what is underpinning your question.
  • minimayhen88minimayhen88 Veteran
    I assure you there is nothing 'underpinning' my question. I am simply trying to descipher the different conditions/ practices of different traditions, for both academic and personal (I'm interested!!) purposes :) x
  • DakiniDakini Veteran
    If you mean: factors involved in remedying a breach of vows, I believe all the traditions have a procedure for confession, which would involve sincere repentance. In Tibetan Buddhism there's a purification ceremony, I don't know if that's common across Mahayana. In some Western traditions, penance is done, I don't know if there is such a practice in Buddhism.
  • ShutokuShutoku Veteran
    In Soto Zen they recite this:
    All evil karma ever committed by me since of old,
    Because of my beginningless greed, anger, and ignorance,
    Born of my body, mouth, and thought,
    Now I atone for it all.

    Apparently there is also a ceremony called "Fusatsu".
    I don't know if Ch'an has the same thing or not.

    Also just fyi, in Shin Buddhism there is no ceremony of attonement, but a deep acknowledgment that we are bonbu or foolish beings filled with blind passions and utterly incapable of attaining enlightenment of our own calculation.
    Thus we recite Nembutsu in gratitude for Amida Buddha embracing us just as we are, warts and all.
    We do recite the eight-fold path, but we don't recite the 5 precepts.
    Now this doesn't mean it is ok to just do as you wish in Shin...Shinran said "just because there is an antidote, does not mean we should drink poison" so certainly we should practice compassion, and behave as best we can, but not in order to become enlightened.
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