THE SEVEN JEWELS

　　1. Blessed are they that reject evil; for they shall attain purity.
　　2. Blessed are they that seek holiness; for they shall attain serenity.
　　3. Blessed are they that seek knowledge; for they shall attain understanding.
　　4. Blessed are they that promote peace; for they shall attain happiness.
　　5. Blessed are they that seek Truth; for they shall attain Wisdom.
　　6. Blessed are they that practise Virtue; for they shall attain Perfection.
　　7. Blessed are they that follow the Path; for they shall attain Enlightenment.

　 　These beautiful lines, which are known as "The Seven Jewels of the Dharma", cause us to have feelings of peace and comfort in our hearts when we recite them. Let us take each of these Seven Jewels, one at a time, and try to see how much meaning we can get out of each one.

　 　(1) Those who cast evil out of their hearts and minds, find purity, just as a white cloth covered with mud becomes white again when the mud is washed away. The cloth was originally white and only the mud covered the whiteness. Evil does the same thing to our hearts and minds. When we throw away evil, purity remains.

　　(2) If we really seek to follow the Buddha's Holy Law, we shall find serenity. Serenity means peace and calm, freedom from worries and fears.

　　(3) Those who try to gain good knowledge of the Dharma will find good understanding. That is very necessary if we are really trying to walk on the Noble Eightfold Path.

　　(4) It is so easy to start quarrels and cause trouble. It is not always easy to stop anger and fighting once they get started. Those who live peaceful, friendly lives and create no ill-will are happy. When such persons make peace between those who quarrel and fight, they have even more happiness because there is more peace in the world.

　　(5) So many seek excitement and constant amuse-ment that they often forget to seek what is best of all — The Truth. If we study the Dharma we shall learn much truth and shall become wise.

　 　(6) Merely to think about Virtue is not enough. This sixth jewel says we must practice Virtue. If we keep on being virtuous, finally we shall come to perfection. "Practice makes Perfect."

　　(7) Blessed are they that follow the Path, for they shall attain Enlightenment. The best of all paths is the Buddha's Path of Eight Points. All who practise these eight points faithfully, will finally reach Enlightenment and be completely free from ignorance.

　　SONG OF THE GOLDEN RULE

　　Do unto others as you wish
　　That they should do to you.
　　Then would this earth a heaven be
　　So beautiful and true.

　　Be kind to those who are unkind
　　Give love to those who hate;
　　Thus will your merit be untold,
　　Your blessings very great.

　　Give unto all the best you have
　　To all a favour do,
　　And all those blessings in their time
　　Will then come back to you.

　　— C. Albers.

　　QUESTIONS

　　1. How many Jewels of the Dharma are there?

　　2. Can you recite them in proper order?

　　3. What similarity is there between removing mud from cloth and getting evil out of heart and mind?

　　4. Can we really follow the Dharma well if we are lacking in understanding?

　　5. Which is easier: to start trouble or to make peace ?

　　6. If we bring peace and happiness to others, do we get peace and happiness ourselves?

　　7. If we only think about virtue, is that enough?

　　8. What is an old saying about the value of practice?

　　9. When we have overcome ignorance we have   

　　10. What is the lesson the poem teaches us?