Human beings are called so because they pay attention to courtesy and emphasize etiquette. For a Buddhist practitioner in particular, not only does one need to be humble and polite in one's daily life, every act performed also needs to conform to etiquette.

According to the Buddhist sutras, there are 珧three thousand etiquettes{1} and eighty thousand practices{2}.珣 As a beginner, of course we cannot be perfect, but we should at least aim to walk like the wind{3}, stand like a straight pine{4}, sit like a bell{5}, and Sleep like a bow{6}.

1. Walk like the wind: When walking, one should not peer in all directions and let his body swing or shake. He should walk with his chin up and chest out, and look straight ahead just like how the wind progresses forward.

2. Stand like a straight pine: When standing, the body should not be slanted or lean on the wall. One should straighten the body like an unmoving pine tree.

3. Sit like the bell: When sitting, one should not stoop, slouch or cross and shake the legs. He should let both legs hang down and sit like a steady, solemn bell.

4. Lie down like an archer's bow: When sleeping, one should not lie with the face up, face-down, cover the head or with crossed. Instead, one should pillow his head on his right arm, and sleep like an archer's bow which is considered an auspicious posture{7}.





【Key Words】

{1} Three thousand etiquettes：

三千威儀

{2} Eighty thousand practices：

八萬細行

{3} Walk like the wind：行如風

{4} Stand like a straight pine：立如松

{5} Sit like a bell：坐如鐘

{6} Sleep like a bow：臥如弓

{7} auspicious posture：吉祥臥