Purification of the Mind
The Importance of Lay Precepts Taking the vows, reciting the words, doing the bows-these are all small rituals. As a rule, the earlier form the Buddhist tradition the fewer the rite and rituals. In Tibetan Buddhism there is a belief that when one takes a vow, a physical shield is placed around the person. It physically protects the individual from spirits and demons. In Mahayana vows are usually taken for life and remembered on the Full Moon. In Theravada, the vows are most often taken from month to month, after all, everything changes. Lifetime vows seem awkward and unreasonable in these sects. The vows are designed to heighten the awareness of to behave in a moral way. The ceremonies that surround are meant to remind of us the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha. The incense represents the sweetness of the world when we behave appropriately. The candle is for wisdom. Virtue, that is, morality, is incredibly important to the practice of Buddhism. It is be...