Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

pride.
If one has no guru and cannot find any bhiksu from
whom to take the refuges and precepts, then as an
expedient means, one may use an image or picture of
the Buddha. Prostrating oneself with reverence and
humility, one should recite the formulas in front of this
representation of the Buddha. However, this is just
temporary. Afterwards, when one meets a Buddhist
monk, then one should request him to administer them
out of compassion.
This is another way to limit the sorrow of pride and
obtain good meditation.
4. Can one progress in Vajrayana or Chan without
pure silas? Why do people think that one can
progress without moral observance? What, for
instance, might be the result (in this life or in the
future) of many initiations but broken precepts?
Another question on precepts, and again stemming from
pride.
The Mahayana and Vajrayana, besides having as a basis
observance of the Hinayana precepts, have sets of silas
of their own. It is only foolish people who can ignore
both these facts. Throughout the different yanas of
Buddhism, morality (silas) is the foundation for
meditation. The three trainings (trisiksa) always apply:
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