Buddhism 102: Ethics

Lesson 1: Pure Precepts And Grave Precepts

Literal, Intrinsic, and Subjective Precepts, Exercise #3

The Zen teacher Bernard Glassman provides a perspective on the precepts in his book Infinite Circle: Teachings in Zen. To understand the precepts, Glassman says, we need to see them on three levels at once: literal, intrinsic, and subjective (111). These three levels exist simultaneously, and may contradict each other, but work together to make sure that following the precepts is a constant process for us. This is based in deeper views of Zen Buddhist philosophy, which we don't have the time to get into here. However, we should know the basics of these three levels:

Literal: On this level, when we vow to follow a precept we take responsibility for every infraction against it. We take responsibility for every insect and plant that dies as a result of our action or as a result of our inaction. We take responsibility for any way our actions damage the property of others. We take responsibility for everything we say that is even slightly off the mark of one-hundred-percent truth. We take responsibility for every sexual thought we have that objectifies someone else or goes against their consent. We take responsibility for anything we put in our bodies or minds that might cloud our vision. We can view all of these as violating the precepts, as actions we must work on.

The literal level is harsh. On the literal level, we all get failing grades on all the precepts. And we need to understand this level.

Intrinsic: On this level, we focus on emptiness. Intrinsically, all life begins and ends, so when one being causes another being to die, there is no real harm done. Intrinsically, we are all one, and the world does not belong to any of us, so when a person takes another person's belongings, there is no real harm done. Intrinsically, all words are true, so when you tell a lie, you're actually demonstrating the truth, and there is no real harm done.

The intrinsic level sounds appealing when it works in our favor. Many of us use intrinsic truths to justify our actions. It doesn't sound so appealing when it's used to justify someone else's actions. When observing the intrinsic nature of the precepts, we need to see all beings as one. We have to understand it as just one level of the precept.

Subjective: On this level, we can talk about right and wrong, bearing both literal and intrinsic precepts in mind. We look at the precept and decide the most skillful thing to do. Sometimes different people make different interpretations of the subjective precepts. Your definition of "little white lie" is different than mine, but we probably both agree that there are times when the most skillful thing to do is to say something other than the complete truth.

Exercise #3

For this exercise, think of the precepts at a different level. Consider ways you've violated the precepts that may not be obvious at first glance.

You may not be a killer, but in what ways can you respect life more?

You may not be a robber, but in what ways can you respect the belongings and rights of others more?

You may not be a habitual liar, but in what ways can you respect the truth more?

You may not be sexually promiscuous, but in what ways can you respect the purity of the human body more?

You may not be a drug addict, but in what ways can you respect your own body and mind more, and free yourself from addictions?

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