Must one become a vegetarian as a practitioner in Tao?
A vegetarian diet eliminates further causes and effects of killing. Hence, this practice discontinues the negative karma between people and animals. Because of ignorance, sentient beings desire to satisfy their taste buds and thus kill other lives as they wish. Those who killed will also be killed, and so the wheel of rebirth turns. For those who can’t refrain from a flesh diet, it may be change gradually. However, if one is unwilling to observe a vegetarian diet, there is nothing wrong with accumulating merits and lessening the evil fruits from killing various animals. At any rate, compassion is the key for cultivators of the Tao.
Why is a Merit Fee necessary for seeking Tao? How is the Merit Fee used?
In ancient time, cultivators of the Tao had to leave their families and give up their jobs. Also, after much hardship, they might not even encounter the enlightening Teacher. We should feel fortunate and proud that we have received the Great Tao, which was not transmitted easily. Besides, we have not accumulated any merit nor spent time in cultivation. In order to test the seeker’s sincerity, the Merit Fee was established. It is used to print morality books and help and needy. There is an old saying, “A donation of one penny is worth an enormous mountain. If anyone misuses the fund, one will repay in double.” Cultivators of the Tao would never want to misuse/abuse the Merit Fee.
Why must one take the Ten Great Vows?
In the past, those who have reached enlightenment all have diligently kept their aspirations. Hence, according to the rules within the Tao, seekers of the Tao must establish great aspiration as well in order to lead themselves toward a proper direction. If the resolution were high, the determination must be firm; if the actions were fulfilled, the status will eventually be high as well the Ten Great Vows are the witnesses to those who cultivate along the Tao. To prevent the unsteady faith of the beginners of the Tao, the Ten Great Vows were established. One is suggested to learn/practice/cultivate Tao from beginning to the end. One must not forget about the Tao because of the hardship occurred in life. Hence, upon seeking the Tao, resolution must be established as a form of trust so that after entering the Tao one will be able to follow certain standards. Furthermore, one will be able to ask Heaven to bestow upon oneself the Great Tao. With the witness of the Ten Great Vows, the Baptists are able to transmit the secret treasures of the Heart Teaching.
3) The Underworld – the good spirits of the underworld.
This is what is called as “the mass transmission in the Three Worlds.