How to be respectful with Sutras (and other Dharma texts)

Sponsoring the printing of Sutras, reading Sutras, and treating them with reverence makes wisdom increase; however, being disrespectful towards Sutras can also cause one to fall into undesirable states. The precautions to note when placing and handling Sutras are briefly outlined as follows:

•      Buddhist Sutras are the Dharma Jewel (among the Three Jewels) and act as guides for sentient beings to escape suffering. They should be respected and revered. If they are damaged, they should be repaired quickly; they must never be burned or discarded. Wherever Sutras are kept, there is protection from the nagas and devas. Allowing them to be damaged or abandoned incurs immeasurable negative karma.

•      Buddhist Sutras must be placed higher than other books. For the Sutras, Vinaya, and Abhidharma, the hierarchy of placement is original Sutra texts, Sutra commentaries, general Buddhist books, teachings of holy or virtuous beings, educational books and general books.

•      One must not write or scribble on Sutra books, nor should one chat or eat while reading them.

•      Sutra books should be respectfully placed in a clean, elevated location. They must not be casually tossed onto beds, chairs, low tables, or any unclean places.

•      When holding them in your hands or in a pocket/bag, they must not be held below the waist, nor should they be clamped under the armpit.

•      Do not place miscellaneous items on the desk where Sutras are read, and do not read Sutras while lying down. Furthermore, one must never touch the Sutras with dirty hands.

•      Do not blow the dust off the Sutras with your mouth; wipe it away with a dedicated clean cloth.

•      If your study and bedroom are the same room, the Sutra books should be covered with a clean cloth while you sleep, and they must be placed on the side where your head rests.

•      One must not engage in any kind of impure or defiled behavior in places where Sutras are kept.

•      When pausing your reading, a slip of paper should be inserted as a bookmark. Do not fold the pages, fold the corners, or place the Sutra face down in an inverted "V" shape (like the Chinese character 「人」).

•      One should concentrate when reading the Sutras. If distracting thoughts arise, you should first close the Sutra, purify your mind, and then resume reading.

•      If you have no time to read them, they can be passed on to others to promote wide circulation.

•      Do not read Sutras in the restroom.

•      Do not moisten your fingers with saliva to turn the pages.