Christian Critique of A Daily Dose of Dhama
Chapter 6 – Sila (Precepts or Morality)
Chapter 6 – Sila (Precepts or Morality)
Page 136: The benefits of keeping precepts are multiple. Simple benefits are: not committing unwholesome acts by strictly keeping the precepts. Also by being mindful of keeping precepts all the time, so that one does to break any of the precepts, helps one cultivate mindfulness without even actively practicing mindful meditation and the benefits to gain from being mindful are many.
Note: Christians will believe that there is a God.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7.
Note: Buddhists do not believe there is a God.
Page 137: If one does not keep precepts, or follow morality (Sila), one is most likely to act out of greed, anger, and ignorance. (Without even knowing one is acting out of greed, anger or ignorance). Simple keeping of the precepts, allows one to have less greed, anger, and ignorance.
Note: Christians will believe that there is a God.
For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6.
Note: Buddhists do not believe there is a God.
Page 138: A person who does not keep the precepts (Sila) nor practice mindfulness, is more likely to commit unwholesome acts that are under the influence of impulse, tainted with greed and anger, and still be ignorant about it.
Note: Christians will believe that there is a God.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. Romans 1:18-19.
Note: Buddhists do not believe there is a God.
Page 139: A person who is wise, will not do things in anger when he is mindful and keep his precepts or morality (Sila). But when that wise person becomes angry, the anger takes over the person and does things that the wise person normally would not do, if she were mindful of keeping her precepts (Sila).
Note: Christians will believe that there is a God.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6.
Note: Buddhists do not believe there is a God.
Page 140: When greed takes over, it does unwholesome things that a wise person would not normally do it he were mindful of keeping the precepts. Again, a wise person who is mindful of keeping the precepts (Sila) will never do things with greed, while he is mindful.
Note: Christians will believe that there is a God.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:10-11.
Note: Buddhists do not believe there is a God.
Page 141: Anger does not just arise and fall away quickly. It lingers on in the person and becomes a hindrance to that person for a long time. Whatever wholesome things a person might have done are negated by the anger and lingering anger which also prevent further wholesome things from being done.
Note: Christians will believe that there is a God.
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32.
Note: Buddhists do not believe there is a God.
Page 142: Let go of anger quickly like you would let go of a fire. A person who is mindful of keeping the precepts (Sila) can let go of anger more easily after it arises than another person who is not mindful of keeping the precepts. The benefits of keeping the precepts come not from just keeping the precepts but from being mindful about keeping the precepts. There is a windfall of beneficial effects for being mindful when one is angry or greedy.
Note: Christians will believe that there is a God.
Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. Colossians 3:5-7.
Note: Buddhists do not believe there is a God.
Page 143: Once one is aware of having hatred, an awareness from keeping the precepts themselves or from being mindful of keeping the precepts, one should immediately start cultivating peace, love, and kindness.
Note: Christians will believe that there is a God.
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. Colossians 3:12-14.
Note: Buddhists do not believe there is a God.
Page 144: Once one becomes mindful of having greed, from being mindful of keeping the precepts, or from keeping the precepts themselves, one should immediately start cultivating generosity in thoughts, speech, and deeds.
Note: Christians will believe that there is a God.
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:15-17.
Note: Buddhists do not believe there is a God.
Page 145: When one is used to keeping the precepts (Sila), or to being mindful of keeping the precepts, it is easier for one to: Cultivate love, kindness, and let go of hate and anger. Cultivate compassion and let go of rejecting and pushing away because of the perception of being inferior. Cultivate joy towards others’ achievements and let go of envy and jealousy. Cultivate equanimity and let go of easy excitement from over-joy or over-sorrow.
Note: Christians will believe that there is a God.
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Romans 12:9-13.
Note: Buddhists do not believe there is a God.
Page 146: An extension of keeping the precept of not lying is to learn to:
➢ Talk sweetly but not harshly to others.
➢ Talk and praise others for their achievements and never talk down on others.
➢ Talk nicely and openly so one does not need to keep any secrets.
Note: Christians will believe that there is a God.
Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. Colossians 4:2-6.
Note: Buddhists do not believe there is a God.
Page 147: As an extension of keeping the basic precepts (of Sila), one should also cultivate:
➢ Forgiveness. Learn to be forgiving again, and again, and again, as it is never too much.
➢ Forgiving is the only way to get over painful memories from the past.
➢ Giving can take any form. No amount of giving is too small.
➢ To do and provide service for others. Helping others has no end; there are always others who need help.
Note: Christians will believe that there is a God.
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14-15.
Note: Buddhists do not believe there is a God.
Page 148: In giving and in helping, be sure one is always mindful of the giving and helping which can be accomplished through being habitually mindful of keeping the precepts. When one is mindful of one’s giving and helping, one can do it with wisdom and not ignorance.
Note: Christians will believe that there is a God.
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. Philippians 4:10-14.
Note: Buddhists do not believe there is a God.
Page 149: Helping others and being mindful of helping others, can alternate with the practice of meditation to improve mindfulness through meditation. When one cultivates mindfulness in both ways, one becomes mindful with or without meditation.
Note: Christians will believe that there is a God.
Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:10-15.
Note: Buddhists do not believe there is a God.
Page 150: To keep the precept of “No killing” and to be constantly mindful of no killing, cultivate love for all sentient beings. To keep the precept of “No Stealing,” and to be constantly mindful of “No Stealing,” cultivate the habit of giving away what you possess in whatever measure you can. To keep the precept of “No Lying” and to be constantly mindful of “No Lying” cultivate the habit of speaking honestly and openly. Above all, keep the precept of “No Intoxicants.” To be constantly mindful of “No Intoxicants,” cultivate the habit to live a clean and healthy life.
Note: Christians will believe that there is a God.
Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Romans 13:8-10.
Note: Buddhists do not believe there is a God.
Page 151: In order to heed the precept of “No Sexual Affairs,” and to be mindful of “No Sexual Affairs,” treat your spouse in a loving and well-balanced way. Do not try to possess or control your spouse. Live with your spouse in mindfulness, from moment to moment, so you maximize the pleasant moments and minimize the potential for unpleasant moments.
Note: Christians will believe that there is a God.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Ephesians 5:25-33.
Note: Buddhists do not believe there is a God.
Page 152: Intimacy (sex) is allowed in the spiritual practice. It should only happen with the one person you love, the person you are committed to the rest of your life. The discharge of intimacy (sex) in the right manner allows one to keep the precept of no sexual affairs and to be mindful all the time of keeping that precept.
Note: Christians will believe that there is a God.
Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 1 Corinthians 7:1-5.
Note: Buddhists do not believe there is a God.
