Special Topics
Daily Practice Q & A: Q1: Is it necessary to have a daily practice after studying Buddhism ?
What is the meaning of daily practice for Buddhists? How does one choose the daily practice most suitable for oneself? Do we need to make up for missing morning and evening chants? Let's clarify the must-know concepts of daily practice for Buddhists.Q1: Is it necessary to have a daily practice after studying Buddhism ?
Yes. With regard to practicing Buddhism, one has to constantly familiarize oneself with the Buddhist teachings and put them into practice in order to advance on the path to liberation. Therefore, after beginning one's study of Buddhism, it is best to set a daily regular practice and persevere in the practice.
Regular practice entails turning the concepts and methods taught by the Buddha into daily homework, to remind oneself every day to take refuge in the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha); to practice the Three Studies (precepts, meditation, and wisdom); to diligently practice the Six Paramitas (giving, precepts, forbearance, diligence, meditation, and wisdom); and vow to dedicate the merits to all sentient beings as well as share the benefits of the Buddha's teachings with them. Doing daily practice is like reminding ourselves to purify our own mind every day, which can accumulate the energy needed to correct ourselves. This self-correction ranges from adjusting our thinking to correcting the behaviors of our body, speech and mind, in order to achieve the purpose of practicing Buddhism.
Many Buddhists like to read Buddhist books and understand Buddhist concepts from the intellectual level. However, when they encounter difficulties in life-- when greed, anger and jealousy arise-- they are often unable to use Buddhism to transform and dissolve them. This is because they do not usually make efforts to practice meditation, so their minds are not easily directed. Venerable Sheng Yen once said that the true meaning of "meditation" is "to engage in a life of practice in a stable, steady, and happy state of mind and body." The practice of "meditation" includes sitting meditation, prostrating to the Buddha, chanting the Buddha's name and reciting sutras. If one can do daily regular practice with perseverance, one's mind will naturally become stable and one's emotions will not be easily influenced by the environment.
Extended Reading:
Morning and Evening Chanting as a Regular Monastic Practice
Innovations in Morning and Evening Services in Modern Day Monasteries
Morning and Evening Recitation Helps Mental and Physical Adjustment
The Regular Daily Practice of Venerable Master Sheng Yen
Daily Practice Q & A: Q1: Is it necessary to have a daily practice after studying Buddhism ?
Daily Practice Q & A: Q2: How does one choose a daily regular practice?
Daily Practice Q & A: Q4: What is the difference between preliminary and daily practice?
Resource: Issue 326 of Life Magazine, Dharma Drum Publishing Corporation
Photos: Issue 326 of Life Magazine, Dharma Drum Publishing Corporation
Translation: Glen Sha
Editing: YKL, Keith Brown