To Understand Buddhism - The Six Principles of Harmony

The Six Principles of Harmony

The Three Conditions are the basis for individual cultivation whereas the Six Principles of Harmony are the basis for group cultivation. The sangha is a group of four or more people who properly practice the Buddha s teachings together, especially the Six Principles of Har" mony. They are:

(1) Sharing the same viewpoints or goals,

(2) Observing the same precepts,

(3) Living and practicing together harmoniously,

(4) Not quarrelling,

(5) Experiencing the inner peace and happiness from practicing together harmoni" ously and

(6) Sharing benefits harmoniously.


Sharing the Same Viewpoints or Goals.

This means mutual understanding or agreement. A group needs to share the same viewpoints of the principles and methods for study and practice. This is the basis for harmo" nious group cultivation.

If a society is to remain stable, its members need to live in harmony. Only harmony can draw us together in terms of opinions, ideas and our way of life. In other words, being harmonious can minimize the differences in human relations and improve equality. After that, peace and then finally, happiness can be achieved. To obtain happiness we must have a peaceful heart and body. Both Buddhist and worldly teachings emphasize the im" portance of harmony and respect.

A few years ago I went to Beijing and visited the Forbidden City, where there are three main palaces, the names of which all contain the word harmony. This shows that the early emperors of the Ching Dynasty, the last dynasty, tried to rule the country with harmony. However, the disharmony, which plagued the imperial family at the beginning of this century, ended the dynasty. Therefore, harmony is crucial for lasting peace and happiness.

that we try them all. We need to find the one most appropriate for us and then remember that the key lies in exclusive pursuit. In ancient times, the Pure Land School adopted three sutras and one sastra, now we emphasize five sutras and one sastra. As stated in an ancient Chinese textbook,  Of all the teaching principles, exclusive pursuit is the most important . Suppose some people like the Infinite Life Sutra while others prefer the Amitabha Sutra. Can these two groups of people merge into one? They may merge, but they cannot get along harmoniously, for when one half begins to recite the Infinite Life Sutra, the other half will want to recite the Amitabha Sutra. In order to create group unity, it will be necessary to set up two separate way places.

This explains why there are so many different way places even though we are all Pure Land practitioners. The same principle applies to choosing sutras with multiple commentaries. Which one will we use? This will result in a further setting up of way places. The same process can occur when deciding which form of chanting to follow. Some prefer to chant slowly  Namo Amituofo while others prefer a very fast  Amituofo, Amituofo, Amituofo . It would be very difficult for the two groups to practice harmoniously together. The people in an" cient way places were able to achieve because everyone shared the same viewpoints and practiced the same method without intermingling. Their very atmosphere was conducive to magnificence and peace. Thus, all those who entered naturally gave rise to respect.

Unfortunately, a common situation in modern way places is that the teachings of vari" ous schools are intermingled. Contradictions and conflicts are unavoidable, and it will be difficult for practitioners to focus, much less to succeed. So it becomes evident that  Sharing the same viewpoints or goals is crucial in a way place.

If the people in a group share similar ideas and viewpoints as well as the same interests well form a separate sangha if differences arise. Otherwise, there would be conflicts and no one would succeed. By providing an infinite number of methods for cultivation, the Buddha meant to ensure that people of different viewpoints and interests would all be able to suc" ceed in their cultivation. Thus, it is said that all paths lead to the same goal, as all methods are equal. This demonstrates the Buddha s great, compassionate heart, as he never forces anyone to practice one particular method.

As we have seen from the example in the Visualization Sutra. Madame Vaidehi, being overwhelmed by the suffering in this world, asked Buddha Shakyamuni to tell her of a place where suffering did not exist. Instead of directing her to the Western Pure Land, he displayed all the Buddhalands for her so that she could choose one for herself. This is unlike most of us who want others to accept our opinions;  I have been practicing this method. It s great. Come and try it. When others have different ideas and viewpoints, this will often disrupt the harmony of the group and is the very thing we should guard against. The best way to intro" duce Buddhism is to provide a general introduction to the Mahayana teachings and prac" tices and let others chose whichever method they prefer.

Those who prefer Buddha Name Chanting can practice together; those who prefer meditation can practice together. In this way, everybody has a place to go for cultivation and there is no need to pressure anyone into using one particular method. All methods are equal and were taught to meet our different needs, abilities and levels of achievement. Thus, every school should respect and praise the others. This is the true practice of the first harmony.

When we live and practice together, we need to have rules and regulations for with" out them there will be disorder. Needless to say, the rules need to include the five funda" mental precepts set by the Buddha. Rules vary for lay sanghas and those at way places. The former conforms to the five fundamental precepts, the latter to the monk or nun pre" cepts. In addition, common rules, regulations and local laws and customs are also to be ob" served. These all comprise the Permanent Resident Agreement of a way place. One or two members can be designated to draft the rules, which are then presented to the group for discussion and voting. Each individual living in the way place must abide by the agreement once it is set up. If every member respects and abides by the agreement, there will be no discord within the group, because all are have equal status and no special privileges are granted to anyone. Thus, the sangha is truly democratic and law abiding.