The One-Mind Precepts of Bodhidharma

Jakusho Kwong Roshi

In the instruction, to receive is to transmit; to transmit is to awaken; and to awaken the Buddha Mind is called true Jukai. Each precept is a vignette of the one-mind that is always with us.

1. Self-nature is inconceivably wondrous; in the everlasting Dharma, not raising the view of extinction is called “not killing.”

2. Self-nature is inconceivably wondrous; in the ungraspable Dharma, not arousing the thought of gain is called “not stealing.”

3. Self-nature is inconceivably wondrous; in the Dharma of nonattachment, not raising the view of attachment is called “not being greedy.”

4. Self-nature is inconceivably wondrous; in the inexplicable Dharma, not expounding a word is called “not lying.
   
   
5. Self-nature is inconceivably wondrous; in the intrinsically pure Dharma, not arousing ignorance is called “not being intoxicated.”

6. Self-nature is inconceivably wondrous; in the faultless Dharma, not talking about sins and mistakes is called “not talking about others’ faults and errors.”

7. Self-nature is inconceivably wondrous; in the Dharma of equality, not talking about self and others is called “not elevating oneself and putting down others.”

8. Self-nature is inconceivably wondrous; in the genuine, all pervading Dharma, not clinging to a single thing is called “not being stingy.”

9. Self-nature is inconceivably wondrous; in the Dharma of no-self, not contriving a reality of self is called “not being angry.”

10. Self-nature is inconceivably wondrous; in the Dharma of oneness, not raising a distinction between Buddhas and beings is called “not slandering the Three Treasures.”

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