**The General and Specific Practices of the Dharma**

As stated in the scriptures, the Dharma has both a general and a specific aspect.

**The General Dharma** is described near the end of the first volume. It is the method of practice for all seven groups of disciples (monks, nuns, male and female novices, and male and female lay followers). It involves a seven-day period of focused practice, reciting three specific mantras. The sutra says: "At that time, the chief leader said to Heng Jia, 'If a good man or good woman wishes to hear this, you will appear before that person in a dream. When they see you, you must teach them to practice this true Dharma. If they wish to practice, they should maintain a pure vegetarian diet for seven days, bathe three times daily, wear clean garments, sit before a Buddha image, and create a five-colored canopy. This practice should be done on the eighth and fifteenth days of the month. If a person who has committed one of the five heinous crimes or suffers from leprosy does not recover, it is impossible. If a person who has violated any of the twenty-four Bodhisattva precepts, the ten novice precepts, the six precepts for female trainees, or the full precepts for monks or nuns sincerely repents, it is impossible for them not to regain their pure precepts—unless they lack genuine sincerity. This is called the General Dharma."

**The Specific Dharma** is described at the beginning of the fourth volume. Here, the practices for the seven groups are distinct, with different procedures and mantras. For example, the sutra says: "If a monk has violated any of the four major prohibitions, he should sincerely recite this Dharani mantra. He must ask another monk to be his repentance witness. He should recite the mantra 1,400 times, then make one confession. After 87 days of this practice, if his precept roots do not grow back, it is impossible. If a nun has violated any of the eight major prohibitions, she should ask a monk to be her repentance witness. She should practice for 97 days, reciting the mantra 49 times, then making one confession. She should follow her teacher's instruction. If her evil karma is not eliminated, it is impossible. If a Bodhisattva who has received the eight major precepts later violates them, they should recite the mantra 600 times, then make one confession. During the confession, they should invite a monk to stand before them and verbally confess their faults. After 67 days, as described above, in a dream they will see signs. For inferior male or female novices or lay followers, they should also invite a monk, recite the mantra 400 times, then make one confession. After 47 days of this sequence, as described above, if in a dream they see two signs, they should know that this novice or lay person is abiding by the pure precepts. This is called the Specific Practice."

**Question:** Near the end of the first volume, it says that the chief leader's seven-day focused practice is suitable for all seven groups, and that even the ten evil acts and five heinous crimes can be eliminated. Why, then, does the beginning of the fourth volume prescribe separate practices with different lengths of time and different mantras?

**Answer:** Manjushri Bodhisattva, out of great compassion, again asked the Buddha: "After the Buddha's passing, if a monk violates the four major prohibitions, a nun violates the eight major prohibitions, or even Bodhisattvas, novices, or lay followers violate their precepts—how can such offenses be eliminated?" The Buddha replied: "Because you have asked, I will now teach this. If you had not asked, I would never have taught it." Now, since the confession methods are different, and the time periods vary, we know that the chief leader's seven-day focused practice cannot be used by those who have committed grave offenses. Why is this? Because the karma created in this present life is extremely heavy. Without dedicated practice, there is no way to eliminate such offenses. Therefore, out of compassion and in response to Manjushri's question, the Buddha established these specific confession methods to save the seven groups of disciples from the distress and suffering of the hells in this corrupt and evil age.