unity and harmony in sharing all the interests the monastic community is entitled to.

Of the six principles, the <4>, <5>, and <6> are of quintessential importance, whereas the remaining three are different aspects of the manifestation of unity and harmony among Buddhist votaries. This proposition of Sakyamuni’s is in essence very much in agreement with the current Central Government’s policy intended for metamorphosing China into “a harmonious society”. In “a harmonious society”, everybody should behave in such a way as to be completely in line with the prescribed behavioral norm, because the governance of such a society is based on the axiom of “rule by law”. And principle <4> “unity and harmony in seeking consensus in compliance with sila and vinaya” is in essence at one with the axiom of “rule by law”. A harmonious society is characterized by an equal sharing, by all members of such a society, of all the interests it is entitled to. And principle <6> “unity and harmony in sharing all the interests the monastic community is entitled to” is in essence quite compatible with the characteristic of a harmonious society that each of its members has an equal share in all the interests it is entitled to. A harmonious society is characterized by a uniform adherence by all its members to its established values and ideal. And the essence of principle <5> “unity and harmony in identifying with each other in the matter of personal outlook” requires all members of a monastic community to strive for a unity of outlook on values and morality and also for the realization of esprit de corps. As for the three remaining principles, I believe they are all intended for achieving solidarity and comradeship in a community or society.(From My Heart My Buddha)