Daily Practice Q & A: Q4: What is the difference between preliminary and daily practice?

Preliminary and daily practice may differ in approach, but their function and purpose is to purify and stabilize the body and mind, as well as to accumulate merits for the practice.

The preliminaries performed before joining the group practice are preparations for the actual practice of the Dharma assembly. The preliminaries are required for practicing any dharma method. Through the practice of the preliminaries, the body and mind are settled and stabilized. Participating in the Dharma assemblies or meditation retreats with this purified mind can help you practice accordingly and achieve much easier success in your practice.

The convener of Dharma Drum Mountain Water and Land Dharma Assembly, Venerable Guo Kae, pointed out that the functions of the preliminaries are essentially similar to the daily practices. The purpose is to purify the three karmas of body, speech and mind by chanting sutras, reciting mantras, chanting the Buddha’s name, prostrating to the Buddha, meditating, etc. while sincerely repenting of past wrongdoings, vowing to practice diligently and dedicating the merits to all sentient beings to accumulate the necessary provisions and blessings for Buddhist practice. In this respect, the preliminaries are similar to daily practice.


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: Q3: If I don't finish my daily practice in time, do I have to make up for it on the same day?

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