華麗的冒險

What is 8 precepts retreat?
by Frank Yao

Many practitioners are eager to practice diligently and improve their conduct. They wish to cultivate a pure mind and live a life of detachment. However, they do not have the chance or proper condition to become monastic. 8 precepts retreat is a special retreat that was devised to let ordinary lay practitioners to experience such life. Throughout the retreat, the participants will observe the 8 precepts to refrain themselves from conducting behavior that might lead to unwholesome deeds. The 8 precepts are as following:

1.To refrain from destroying living creatures.
2.To refrain from taking that which is not given.
3.To refrain from sexual activity.
4.To refrain from false and incorrect speech.
5.To refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs.
6.To refrain from eating after midday
7.To refrain from sensual entertainment and use of bodily adornments.
8.To refrain from using a high or luxurious bed.

The first five are derived from the five precepts, with minor change on third percept. In short, to refrain from killing will develop our compassion towards sentient beings. To refrain from stealing not only prevent us from conducting bad deed, but also teach us to respect other’s property. Since we want to experience the life of monastic, participants will refrain from sexual activity. To refrain from false speech is to respect one’s dignity and be true. Be true to elf and others. Intoxicating drinks and drugs often clouds our judgment and lead to unwholesome behavior. Since we want to cultivate wisdom, such substance should be avoided.

In Buddhism, we treat dinner as a medicine to heal our body and we often practice mindfulness during each meal. Normally, a non-practitioner has desire towards excessive food and craves for delicacy. To refrain from eating after midday during 8 precepts retreat will help us detach from such desire and focus on our practice. Thus, we can turn our attention to cultivating morality, mindfulness, and wisdom. It helps our mind to distinguish real hunger from craving for delicious sweets or snacks. To refrain from sensual entertainment and use of bodily adornments will avoid us to be indulged into useless things. It reminds us to reflect on ourselves as we should equip ourselves with merits and virtues instead of using cosmetics or bodily ornament. To refrain from using a high or luxurious bed is a reminder that we want to dedicate this day to diligent practice. As high and luxurious bed sometimes provide too much comfort and lead us into a path of indolent life, we want to be aware of such comfort for the duration of retreat.

Observing these 8 precepts for one whole day will develop a right and virtuous conduct. It will train our mind to be more aware of things, to be less indulging into bad or useless things. I hope after understanding the purpose behind these precepts, everyone can set aside one day and participate.