Chapter II: Fulfilling the Happiness in This Very Life—Ethical System for Laypeople
1. Right and Pure Personal Conduct
2. Prudent Economic Life
3. A Good Interpersonal Relationship
4. Summary
Chapter III: Leading to the Welfare in the Future
1. The Ten Wholesome Courses of Kamma
2. The Uposatha and Its Relevant Intensive Retreat
3. Faith, Virtuous Behavior, Generosity, and Wisdom— the Path for Laypeople
4. Summary
Chapter IV: From Early Buddhism to Mahayana Buddhism
1. The Sutra on Upasaka Precepts in Mahayana
2. Similarities and Differences: Four Sangahavatthu, Five Types of Wealth, Six Paramita-s
3. From Upasaka to Lay Bodhisattva, in Terms of Spiritual Training
4. Summary
Chapter V: Buddhist Theories Behind Moral Guidance
1. The Main Theory: Kamma and Dependent Origination
2. Principles for Making Ethical Judgement
3. The Criteria of Wholesome Deeds
4. Summary
Chapter VI: Conclusion
1. Comprehensive Moral Guidelines for laity
2. The Shift of Emphasis on the Spiritual Training of Laypeople
Dr. Tien-feng Lee, also known as Ven. Jiandao, is a Buddhist bhikshuni fully ordained in 1995 at the Luminary Buddhist Institute in Taiwan. She is currently a research fellow of the Noble Path Buddhist Education Fellowship. She is also a freelance editor of Chinese translated Buddhist books, specializing in Chinese translations of Pali commentaries. She worked as a translator and an editor at the Luminary Publishing Association, Taiwan, from January 1999 to December 2003. Her responsibilities included revising and editing the translated drafts of Buddhist books, executing the layouts, and organizing the publishing process as well as the marketing and distribution of the published books.
She has been awarded a number of scholarships, including studentship of the University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong, September 2010–August 2014), Glorious Sun Group Postgraduate Scholarship for Buddhist studies (September 2008-August 2009), Tzu Chi Foundation Scholarship (Taiwan, December 1999), and The Torch of Wisdom Society Scholarship (Taiwan, December 1998).
This book comprehensively discusses the topics in Buddhism that are crucial for promoting lay people’s welfare—from mundane bliss in this life, i.e., wealth and good interpersonal relationships, to prosperity in the future, i.e., a good rebirth and less time spent in Samsara. This book presents some moral guidelines and a spiritual training path designed for householders and lay Buddhists, helping them secure the welfare. The guidelines and the training path presented in the book are based on the Pali Nikāyas and the Chinese Āgamas in Early Buddhism and an influential Chinese Mahayana scripture—the Upāsakaśīla Sūtra