Zen master John Daido Loori's unique examination of the Buddhist precepts, the significance of their invocation in ceremonial settings, and their relevance for both modern practitioners and as general ethical guidelines. In The Heart of Being , acclaimed Zen master John Daido Loori provides a modern interpretation of the Buddhist precepts--the vows taken as an initiation into Buddhism that reflect the Buddha's teachings on a wide range of social and moral issues--and explains the traditional precepts ceremony known as jukai . He also offers commentary on Master Dogen's own instructions about the precepts. He discusses the ethical significance of these vows, both within the context of formal Zen training and as guidelines for living an enlightened life. A question-and-answer section is included as well, which elaborates on what is presented in the main text. While Loori's detailed explanation of the precepts ceremony is rooted in his own Mountains and Rivers Order, his presentation and commentary reflect the relevance of the precepts to broader Buddhist communities. He details: the sacred space of the jukai ; the principles of invocation and atonement; what it means to take refuge in the Buddha, his teachings, and the community; the three pure precepts and the ten grave precepts; the relationship between the precepts and living in harmony with the world around us; and the four great bodhisattva vows. This is an important text, not only for those studying Buddhism, but for anyone struggling to navigate the dilemmas of modern life.

As Daido Loori demonstrates, the Buddha's teachings can serve as a true moral compass to wise, compassionate, and "right" action.