The Scripture of the Founding Master
Chapter Two: Doctrine
26
When the Founding Master was visiting the Pusan region, a few followers paid a visit and said, “We have the utmost respect for the Great Master’s dharma, but since we make our livelihood by fishing, we are constantly breaking the first precept. We are ashamed and discouraged about this.” The Founding Master replied, “Don’t worry! A person’s occupation is difficult to change overnight. Even if you break one precept out of thirty but earnestly keep the other twenty-nine, you will still be able to contribute immeasurable merit to society through your twenty-nine good deeds. Just because you are unable to observe one, why would you let yourself fall into the abyss of transgression and suffering by not observing the other twenty-nine that you could keep? Moreover, if you are able to observe the twenty-nine precepts well, then a way for you to observe the remaining one will naturally appear. With such faith, keep going with your practice without being discouraged.”
The Scripture of the Founding Master
Chapter Two: Doctrine
26
When the Founding Master was visiting the Pusan region, a few followers paid a visit and said, “We have the utmost respect for the Great Master’s dharma, but since we make our livelihood by fishing, we are constantly breaking the first precept. We are ashamed and discouraged about this.” The Founding Master replied, “Don’t worry! A person’s occupation is difficult to change overnight. Even if you break one precept out of thirty but earnestly keep the other twenty-nine, you will still be able to contribute immeasurable merit to society through your twenty-nine good deeds. Just because you are unable to observe one, why would you let yourself fall into the abyss of transgression and suffering by not observing the other twenty-nine that you could keep? Moreover, if you are able to observe the twenty-nine precepts well, then a way for you to observe the remaining one will naturally appear. With such faith, keep going with your practice without being discouraged.”
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