Buddha sends a postcard home #5 of 7

Dear Gopa, 

I hope everyone is happy and well. I have been thinking about how you are teaching meditation to villagers and people who help at the palace. When I meet a group of new people and talk to them about the path to awareness, there are always some who decide there and then to become monks or nuns. They leave their homes, shave their heads and follow my teaching to bring an end to suffering. Others ask to become lay disciples so they can follow the path of awareness as far as they can without leaving home.

I am sure some of the people you are helping will also want to become lay disciples. This means adopting some first precepts or principles. They must live simply without stealing, avoid killing, shun adultery, speak truthfully and avoid alcohol and other stimulants that cloud the mind.

This is the start. Lay disciples strive to live in awareness, putting an end to greed, anger, hatred and ignorance. They strive to bring peace and harmony to their families and communities and reduce their own suffering and the suffering of others. It is not unusual for a lay disciple to take vows later to become a monk or nun. Remember, everything is impermanent, nothing is fixed.

Yours with a joyful mind

Siddhartha

See:

Approaching the Buddhist Path - LIbrary of Wisdom and Compassion Vol 1 by H.H. the Dalai Lama and Ven Thubten Chodron

Zen Flesh, Zen Bones: A Collection of Zen and Pre-Zen Writings by Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps 

Peter Limbrick, October 2025