Foreword

This book, Moral Psychology (Tâm Lý Đạo Đức), has been rewritten from the series of lectures on Moral Psychology that we taught at the Long An Provincial Intermediate Buddhist School, second intake. At first it was only 30 cassette tapes recording the spoken voice. Later, in response to the research needs of many people, we had the lectures turned into written text to make a book. We had not expected that converting speech into writing would be so laborious. Many people had to contribute to this book, from those who wrote out the rough original text from the spoken words to those who helped correct the grammar. It took quite a long time, several years, until today, when we ourselves have corrected the final lines.

Human psychology comes in many kinds: unwholesome psychology, utilitarian psychology, religious psychology, pessimistic psychology, optimistic psychology… Here we focus on moral psychology. Of course, the 30 topics in this volume are only a very small part of Moral Psychology. We hope that others will later develop it much more broadly and greatly.

We hope that monks and nuns, when they first step into the life of study and practice, will all study this course as a foundation before going on to other, more profound teachings. Moral character is the first requirement of practice, and also the final expression of a Saint. We may feel pain like having our insides torn out when some things in here touch our hearts, and we may also feel joy like a festival when some things in here lift our steps.

We bow our heads in homage to the Three Jewels of the Ten Directions, who have protected us in carrying out this course. Without the Buddha's protection, no one can do anything meaningful. We only act, and only vow to act, as a speck of dust beneath the Buddha's feet, an instrument of the Buddha in bringing the True Dharma to everyone.

We bow our heads in homage to the Saints who gave us beautiful stories of their lives. A story we tell in five minutes is in fact the result of a whole lifetime of toil on their part. Those lofty examples have warmed so many human hearts throughout so many ages.

We thank the Board of Directors of the Long An Buddhist Intermediate School, who gladly supported this course being taught even though it was very new. Only true practitioners of virtue can break through convention to welcome something so new and unfamiliar. The venerable teachers have shown us warm and sincere fellowship in the Way over many years.

We thank Venerable Thích Viên Giác, who introduced us so that this course had the opportunity to be presented. His wisdom and heart have always astonished and earned the admiration of everyone. With him, we still have hope for a Buddhism that is harmonious and loving.

We thank the monks and nuns who attentively pursued this new subject, giving the teacher more spirit to keep moving forward. They eagerly and diligently did their assignments, enthusiastically asked and answered questions in class, felt remorse when they found faults, or rejoiced when they found a direction. Many in the class are now taking part in higher training programmes.

We thank the lay practitioners who tirelessly studied alongside the monks and nuns and helped create a solemn and dignified atmosphere; the lay practitioners who supported and helped us throughout the time we travelled back and forth to teach this course; the lay practitioners who were moved and lent a hand to carry this course even further.

We offer whatever small merit we have gained to the Three Jewels, and dedicate it to all living beings, that together they may attain the Buddha's Way.

Namo our Original Teacher, Śākyamuni Buddha.

Spring, 2004

Respectfully written,

Bhikkhu Thích Chân Quang