This document was originally distributed on Internet as a part of the 
Electronic Buddhist Archives, available via anonymous FTP and/or 
COOMBSQUEST gopher on the node COOMBS.ANU.EDU.AU

The document's ftp filename and the full directory path are given in the 
coombspapers top level INDEX file.

This version of the document has been reformatted by Barry Kapke and is 
being distributed, with permission, via the DharmaNet Buddhist File 
Distribution Network.

[Last updated: 27 November 1993]
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The Zen Buddhist texts listed below  have been translated from Japanese 
and rendered into a thoughtful English by the Diamond Sangha members, 
Honolulu, Hawaii headed by Robert Aitken Roshi. Although the basic work 
was done in the 1970s and the 1980s translations of some of the texts 
are not final as they tend to continue to be improved on and refined. 
These texts are used with gratitude and delight by members of several 
affiliated Zen centers and communities, including California Diamond 
Sangha, Santa Rosa and Berkeley, USA (headed by John Tarrant Roshi);  
Sydney Zen Center, Australia, and the Zen Group of Western Australia, 
Perth, Australia.

[The final authoritative version of the sutras - as translated in Dec 
1991 by Robert Aitken Roshi can be now found in the document called: 
diamond-sangha-zen-sutras.txt available from the coombspapers at the 
above internet address, or DIA-SANG.ZIP from DharmaNet.]

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ZEN BUDDHIST PRECEPTS
Sydney Zen Centre, 251 Young St., Annandale, Sydney NSW 2038, Australia
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                        THE THREE PURE PRECEPTS
                 With Commentaries from the Kyojukaimon

Keep all precepts.

This is the cave where all Dharmas of all Buddhas arise.

Practise all good Dharma.
This is the root-origin whence all Buddhas and Dharmas arise.

Save the many beings.
The Dharma of the Supreme Way is the way to do and have done.

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                        THE THREE VOWS OF REFUGE
                  With Commentary from the Kyojukaimon

I take refuge in the Buddha;
I take refuge in the Dharma;
I take refuge in the Sangha.

The Great Precepts of all the Buddhas have been maintained and protected 
by all the Buddhas. Buddhas hand them down to Buddhas, and Ancestral 
Teachers hand them down to Ancestral Teachers.
Acceptance and observance of the Precepts transcends past, present, and 
future, and the perfect accord between the realization of teacher and 
disciple, and continues through all ages.

Our great teacher Shakyamuni Buddha imparted them to Mahakashyapa, and 
Mahakashyapa transmitted them to Ananda.
Already the Precepts have passed through many generations in direct 
succession, reaching down to the present head of this temple.

Now, receiving the Great Precepts, I vow to requite my deep obligation 
to the Buddhas and Ancestral teachers. I pledge to establish these 
Precepts as essential teachings for human beings and all other beings so 
that eventually all will inherit the wisdom of the Buddha.

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                         THE TEN GRAVE PRECEPTS
            With Commentaries by Bodhidharma and Dogen Zenji

1. Not Killing.
Bodhidarma: Self-nature is subtle and mysterious. In the realm of the 
everlasting Dharma, not giving rise to the ideal of killing is called 
the Precept of Not Killing.
Dogen Zenji: The Buddha seed grows in accordance with not taking life. 
Transmit the life of Buddha's wisdom and do not kill.

2. Not Stealing.
Bodhidharma: Self-nature is subtle and mysterious. In the realm of the 
unattainable Dharma, not having thoughts of gaining is called the 
Precept of Not Stealing.
Dogen Zenji: The self and things of the world are just as they are. The 
gate of emancipation is open.

3. Not Misusing Sex.
Bodhidharma: Self-nature is subtle and mysterious. In the realm of the 
ungilded Dharma, not creating a veneer of attachment is called the 
Precept of Not Misusing Sex.
Dogen Zenji: The Three Wheels are pure and clear. When you have nothing 
to desire, you follow the way of all Buddhas.

4. Not Lying.
Bodhidharma: Self-nature is subtle and mysterious. In the realm of the 
inexplicable Dharma, not preaching a single word is called the Precept  
of Not Lying.
Dogen Zenji: The Dharma Wheel turns from the beginning. There is neither 
surplus nor lack. The whole universe is moistened with nectar, and the 
truth is ready to harvest.

5. Not Giving or Taking Drugs.
Bodhidharma: Self-nature is subtle and mysterious. In the realm of the 
intrinsically pure Dharma, not giving rise to delusions is called the 
Precept of Not Giving or Taking Drugs.
Dogen Zenji: Drugs are not brought in yet. Don't let them invade. That 
is the great light.

6. Not Discussing Faults of Others.
Bodhidharma: Self-nature is subtle and mysterious. In the realm of the 
flawless Dharma, nor expounding upon error is called the Precept of Not 
Speaking of Faults of Others.
Dogen Zenji: In the Buddha Dharma, there is one path, one Dharma, one 
realization, one practice. Don't permit fault-finding. Don't permit 
haphazard talk.

7. Not Praising Yourself While Abusing Others.
Bodhidharma: Self-nature is subtle and mysterious. In the realm of the 
equitable Dharma, not dwelling upon I against you is called the Precept 
of Not Praising Yourself while Abusing Others.
Dogen Zenji: Buddhas and Ancestral Teachers realize the empty sky and 
the great earth. When they manifest the noble body, there is neither 
inside nor outside in emptiness. When they manifest the Dharma body, 
there is not even a bit of earth on the ground.

8. Not Sparing the Dharma Assets.
Bodhidharma.  Self-nature is subtle and mysterious. In the genuine, all- 
pervading Dharma, not being stingy about a single thing is called the 
Precept of Not Sparing the Dharma Assets.
Dogen Zenji: One phrase, one verse--that is the ten thousand things and 
one hundred grasses; one dharma, one realization--that is all Buddhas 
and Ancestral Teachers. Therefore, from the beginning, there has been no 
stinginess at all.

9. Not Indulging in Anger.
Bodhidharma: Self-natue is subtle and mysterious. In the realm of the 
selfless Dharma, not contriving reality for the self is called the 
Precept of Not Indulging in Anger.
Dogen Zenji: Not advancing, not retreating, not real, not empty. There 
is an ocean of bright clouds. There is an ocean of solemn clouds.

10. Not Defaming the Three Treasures.
Bodhidhrma: Self-nature is subtle and mysterious. In the realm of the 
One, nor holding nihilistic concepts of ordinary beings and sages is 
called the Precept of Not Defaming the Three Treasures.
Dogen Zenji: The teisho of the actual body is the harbour and the weir. 
This is the most important thing in the world. Its virtue finds its home 
in the ocean of essential nature. It is beyond explanation. We just 
accept it with respect and gratitude.
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