Expert: Justin Choo - 12/25/2005

Question
Lay Buddhists are different from Bhikkhus by precepts.
Buddhas have broken the cycle of becoming.
I like your understanding.
Alan

Answer
Hi Alan,

Thank you for asking me.

The Buddha gave his followers complete freedom to practise his teachings.  He did not impose any commandment or dogma on his followers. He considered his lay followers as worldly people who had to make a living to feed their families.  They could not commit themselves 100% to spiritual development.  They were required only to keep the 5 precepts to the best of their abilities.

On the other hand, the Buddha imposed 227 precepts on the bikkhus or monks.  Monks were and are still a special community who have committed themselves 100% on their own free will, for the pursuit of spiritual development.  They are required to strictly keep these precepts.  In order to live as a monk, he has either got to live in the forest or in the temple, away from the worldly trials and tribulations.  He is not of the world anymore, but of the pure path to liberation.  

Lay Buddhists and monks complement each other.  Lay Buddhists support the monks by providing them with essential requisites such as medicine, food, shelter and clothings.  Monks on the other hand, teach the Dhamma and guide and support the lay Buddhists in their spiritual needs.

"Buddhas have broken the cycle of becoming" means that they had attained enlightenment and would not be reborn ever again.  They had attained the unconditioned Nibbana, no more birth and death.  No more suffering.  The cycle had stopped.

Smile from justinchoo :-)