Leaving home is initiating the bodhi mind with the determination to
exit from the three realms and six destinies, home of defilement, and
to sever the transmigration between rebirths and redeaths. Some of
those with initiation of mind complete are not only determined to exit
from the home of defilement but also ready to leave home in reception
of complete precepts in aspiration for Buddhahood soon. Leaving home
through seven days is assumption of the camping format with rules and
ceremonies condensed to enable those with mind initiated to assimilate
within a limited time span what the monastic renunciation means.
j' kip� �� ook","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family:FranklinGothic-Book;mso-font-kerning:0pt' >behaviors, to destruction and violation. Cultivation and keeping of
these eight precepts enable closing of all doors that open to the evil
destinies of the hells, hungry ghosts, and animals.
Fasting, its Chinese character constituting two parts, of one and
mind, connotes inner cleansing and purifying to become adorned and
impeccable. As Buddhism stresses on assumption of the middle path,
the stipulation of no eating past noon does tally with practicing the
method of exit from the world as a whole. Such is the meaning of
the eight-gate precepts and fasting.
Observation of the eight-gate precepts and fasting usually runs for
seven days. But in this day and age when everyone has own work
schedule and tight routine, it does come down to three days or
two days and one night.
