Buddhism and Hell

This is but one of a vast number of practices. I like it because it gives us a definite focus for our efforts, and it seems achievable. Because this body of practice is so vast, one can find methods suitable to one's temperament. Kinesthetic practices often appeal to me.

I will close with more words from Tsongkapa which give us further direction for practice:

The entire extent
Of the highest of spoken words,
The teaching of the Buddhas,
Is contained in the three collections.

This then is why
The three different trainings
Are the essence of the teachings.

These three start
With the training
Of morality.

And it's spoken that
It resides
In the collection on discipline.

This explains why
So much of the holy Dharma,
Spoken so very well,
Was set down in the form
Of the works
On discipline.

Could it ever happen then
That those wise men
Who understand
The proper order
Of the teachings
Would not take joy in these?

Nowhere does it say
Anything else but this:
If you hope to develop
Insight, the training of wisdom well,
You must find quietude,
That of concentration.

It says as well
That if you wish to develop
Pure single-pointed mind,
You must have the training
Of morality;
And this is fine advice.

Some brave souls
Claim they'll keep
A lot of different vows,

But it's oh so common
To see them smash
Whatever pledges they've made.

The way of the holy
Is to strive
To maintain their morality pure.

Exactly as
They have agreed
To do so.

Once you see
The truth in this,
Then use your watchfulness,

Constantly check
Your thoughts, words and deeds
To stop any wrong to come.

Recollect yourself,
Take the greatest care,
Have a sense of shame,
And consideration;

Use them on
The horse of the senses
When he mistakes the way.

Use your strength
To rein him in,
For this is the state of mind

That you can bring
To focus and stay
On any virtuous object

Solidly,
Whatever you want,
However you wish it to be;

And this is why
They sing the praises
Of morality as the way

To reach one-pointedness of mind.

The copyright of the article Buddhism and Hell in Buddhism is owned by Yeshe Chodon. Permission to republish Buddhism and Hell in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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