Q : According to sutra, bodhisattvas can achieve Buddhahood through practicing the Six Pramits based on the Three Accumulations of Pure Precept.

A : The Three Accumulations of Pure Precept is to get rid of Three Poisons. Therefore, once you root out only one poison, there will be limitless wholesomeness. Accumulation means collecting. If you remove Three Poisons, unlimited wholesomeness will be collected in the mind. Therefore, it is called Three Accumulations of Pure Precept. The Six Pramits mean to cleanse the Five Sense-faculties and Consciousness. If you cleanse and prevent them from contamination of samsara, you can be free from afflictions and reach to the Other Shore.

Q : From the sutras, I learned that the Three Accumulations of Pure Precept is a vow to abstain from unwholesomeness, practice wholesomeness, and save all sentient beings. Why do you say that the Three Accumulations of Pure Precept is to get rid of the Three Poisons?

A : When the Bodhisattva-Mahasattva practiced bodhisattva-deed to be a Buddha, She/He took such three vows of the Three Accumulations of Pure Precept in order to root out the Three Poisons.

Q : Then, why do we practice the Three Disciplines (precept, mindfulness, and wisdom)?

A : Practicing the precept-deed is to root out the poison of greed and to quit all unwholesome deeds. Practicing mindfulness and is to root out the poison of anger and to practice all wholesome deeds. Lastly, practicing wisdom is to root out the poison of ignorance and to save all sentient beings.

Q : The Six Pramits are generosity, precept, forbearance, diligence, mindfulness, and wisdom. Could you tell me why you said that Six Pramits is to cleanse The Six Faculties?