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'''Upasaka''' (Tib. ''genyen'') or '''upasika''' (Tib. ''genyenma'') - a lay practitioner. One of the [[pratimoksha vows]].
'''Upasaka''' (Skt. ''upāsaka''; Tib. ''genyen''; [[Wyl.]] ''dge bsnyen'') or '''upasika''' (Skt. ''upāsikā''; Tib. ''genyenma''; Wyl. ''dge bsnyen ma'') — respectively, a male or female lay practitioner. One of the [[pratimoksha vows]].


==Subdivisions==
==Subdivisions==
There are four types of upasaka or upasika:
There are four types of upasaka or upasika:


#An “upasaka (or upasika) who keeps the threefold refuge” (''kyab sum dzinpé genyen'') takes refuge in the [[Three Jewels]], but does not take the vows of not killing, not stealing, not committing sexual misconduct and so on.  
#An “upasaka (or upasika) who keeps the threefold refuge” (''kyab sum dzinpé genyen'') takes refuge in the [[Three Jewels]], but does not take the vows of not killing, not stealing, not committing sexual misconduct and so on (i.e. none of the [[five lay vows]]).  
#“Keeping a single precept” (''na chik chöpa'') means that, for example, in addition to taking the Three Jewels as one’s refuge, one vows not to take the lives of others.  
#“Keeping a single precept” (''na chik chöpa'') means that, for example, in addition to taking the Three Jewels as one’s refuge, one vows not to take the lives of others.  
#“Keeping a few precepts” (''na ga chöpa'') means that in addition to taking refuge, one vows not to kill, not to steal and not to lie.  
#“Keeping a few precepts” (''na ga chöpa'') means that in addition to taking refuge, one vows not to kill, not to steal and not to lie.  
#A “complete upasaka (or upasika)” (''yongdzok genyen'') is one who in addition to these vows, also takes the commitment to abandon sexual misconduct.
#A “complete upasaka (or upasika)” (''yongdzok genyen'') is one who in addition to these vows, also takes the commitment to abandon sexual misconduct.
==Further Reading==
*[[Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thayé]], ''The Treasury of Knowledge, Book Five: Buddhist Ethics'' (Ithaca: Snow Lion, 1998, reedited 2003), pages 100-102.


[[Category:Key Terms]]
[[Category:Key Terms]]
[[Category:Vows and commitments]]
[[Category:Vows and commitments]]
[[Category:Vinaya]]
[[Category:Vinaya]]

Revision as of 16:13, 14 March 2010

Upasaka (Skt. upāsaka; Tib. genyen; Wyl. dge bsnyen) or upasika (Skt. upāsikā; Tib. genyenma; Wyl. dge bsnyen ma) — respectively, a male or female lay practitioner. One of the pratimoksha vows.

Subdivisions

There are four types of upasaka or upasika:

  1. An “upasaka (or upasika) who keeps the threefold refuge” (kyab sum dzinpé genyen) takes refuge in the Three Jewels, but does not take the vows of not killing, not stealing, not committing sexual misconduct and so on (i.e. none of the five lay vows).
  2. “Keeping a single precept” (na chik chöpa) means that, for example, in addition to taking the Three Jewels as one’s refuge, one vows not to take the lives of others.
  3. “Keeping a few precepts” (na ga chöpa) means that in addition to taking refuge, one vows not to kill, not to steal and not to lie.
  4. A “complete upasaka (or upasika)” (yongdzok genyen) is one who in addition to these vows, also takes the commitment to abandon sexual misconduct.

Further Reading