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level have sensitivity towards others and practice simple precepts
without understanding much of the doctrine. It is the common
stage for humans.
The Buddhist observes the 5 precepts (not to kill, not to
steal, not to indulge in sexual misconduct, not to lie, and not to
drink) to avoid karma of speech and body. The Confucian lives
by the teaching on the three relations guiding the behavior
between the king and its subject, between father and son, and
between husband and wife, and by the five ethics (benevolence,
righteousness, propriety, wisdom and fidelity).
At this stage, the Shingon follower begins the practice of
meditation on the Three Secrets. This step is similar to the lotus
flower getting its fragile stem out of the mud.
- The fearless mind (Divinity Vehicle)
This is the stage for people in the heaven realm, where they
strive for extraordinary power. This is the realm of the young
man that has no more fears as he has passed the worrying stages.
He has successfully avoided the realms of hells, animals and
hungry ghosts and is having a glimpse of the heaven realm. He
may avoid downfall by keeping the precepts and by staying close
to the sage. Belonging to this stage are the genuine Taoist and
Brahman followers. True practitioners of Shingon at this stage
have made good progress in their meditation on the Three
Secrets.
This is the picture of the lotus with its stem above the water
and into the sunlight.