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TEACHINGS | EASTERN HORIZON 9

In recent years, the scientific study of habits has become The book “Good Habits, Bad Habits: The Science
a prominent study area. After long-term follow-up of Making Positive Changes That Stick” by Wendy
observations, experts have found that self-disciplined Wood proposes a set of scientific methods for
individuals develop good habits by familiarizing forming habits, one of which is creating a favorable
themselves with wholesome habits, thereby avoiding environment and eliminating barriers. As noted in the
having to constantly put their willpower and self- book, “Doing something only once is a decision, but
control to the test. In other words, they stay away from doing it in the same way for several more times will
situations where temptations are prevalent, which, make a difference.” Once a habit is formed, whenever
in a sense, is a form of self-restraint. For Buddhists, the prompt appears in the environment again, the
following the precepts is precisely meant for building aspiration or desire to act will ensue.
the right lifestyle for self-cultivation. Furthermore,
we can use the psychology of habit to create favorable Keeping Precepts, a Life Experiment
conditions for ourselves to observe the precepts. The book “Atomic Habits” by James Clear,
emphasizes that tiny changes can bring about great
To engage in Buddhist practice, we first need to adjust accomplishments, while small changes will generate a
the patterns of our daily lives. The Tiantai master Ven. compound “snowball” effect, thereby leading to fruitful
Zhiyi proposed 25 expedient methods for self-cultivation, results in one’s life. What about the compound effect of
including “regulating the five matters,” namely, regulating observing precepts?
our diet, sleep patterns, body states, breathing, and mind.
On the other hand, Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts Precepts are also known as “pratikmosa,” a term which
President Ven. Hui Min advocates the “five precepts for entails that each precept has the function of leading to
physical and mental health”—maintaining a smiling face, greater or lesser degrees of liberation. We may feel that
brushing teeth after meals, doing enough exercise, eating this concept veers too far away from liberation, but if
properly, and sleeping well—which reflects the same idea. we break a precept, our mind will become impure and
Take having good sleep for example: everyone knows tormented by afflictions, thus moving further away from
the importance of sleep. Poor sleep quality will not liberation. On the other hand, by observing the precepts,
only affect our health, but also will compromise our unfortunate events can be prevented and imperceptibly
concentration level and performance at school or dissolved, which is why it is called “pratikmosa-sajvara.”
work. For practitioners at a Seven-day Chan Meditation Therefore, DDM Lanyang Practice Center Director Ven.
Retreat, lacking sufficient sleep at night will also affect Chang Fa believes that observing precepts is similar
the exertion they make when meditating in a Chan hall. to taking a preventative measure. By actively working
Therefore, we should adopt regular routines in our lives. with causes and conditions, we will naturally reap good
Following these “five precepts” in a flexible way not only results in the future. EH
enhances our physical and mental health, but also helps
us develop in meditative concentration and wisdom. Source: www.dharmadrum.org