Inspiration on Discipline, Paramita for the month of February:

In Sanskrit it is: sila
In Tibetan it is: tshul khrims (Pro. "tsul trim")
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Ethical Conduct

Discipline or Ethics does not mean blindly adhering to a strict code of right and wrong. In fact, on the Mahayana path, it may very well be the most compassionate and skillful means to sometimes engage in unconventional methods that would not generally be accepted, as long as they are done with the pure intention of bodhicitta, or awakened mind.

Here, it is more of an ongoing practice of vigilance or attentiveness to not only one's actions of body, speech, and mind, but also the motivating intention behind them. The bodhisattva's is a gradual path of awakening and opening their heart and mind, and thus, we need to have a certain degree of gentleness and loving kindness (maitri) for ourselves, and of course, others.
As Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche sings,

Erring and erring, I walk the unerring path.

Aspiring bodhisattvas must be open and forgiving of mistakes, both their own and others'. They must also learn from them, and engage in regret when needs be (as opposed to egotistical guilt, which is only self-destructive). We must practice the middle way: not too tight, and not too loose. For instance, in meditation practice, not too tight might mean not just allowing the mind to go wherever it wants, but remembering the object of mindfulness and returning to it when one recognizes one has become distracted. Not too loose might mean that one is simply aware of what is happening in their experience, and not judging, indulging in or condemning it.

An example of this is how a typical Tibetan nomad herds their yaks: they just watch them. They don't try to force them to do something or other. This example can be applied to our lives both in formal meditation and post-meditation.

The Sanskrit word sila can be translated as "cool," like sitting in the refreshing shade of a tree on a hot summer day. This can mean that engaging in sila, or more precisely the Ten Virtuous Actions (not killing, not stealing, not engaging in sexual misconduct, speaking the truth, not using divisive speech, speaking gently, not idly gossiping, not to be covetous, not to be malicious, to have correct views), cools us, refreshes us, creatives positive karma, and serves to protect the wellbeing and stability of our mind, much like a glass chimney protecting a candle flame from the wind. As bodhisattvas, we can train ourselves to view the difficulties we encounter not as enemies to be destroyed or escaped, but rather as friends and indeed ornaments that can serve to beautify our dignity as human beings.

The perfection of Discipline or Ethics is to realize Three-Fold Purity, that is, the emptiness of the actor, the acted upon, and the action between the two. Transcendental Discipline or Ethics is non-conceptual, effortless action in harmony with shunyata, prajnaparamita, or tathagatagarbha; our inherent and indestructible basic goodness or Buddhanature.

From Atisha's Training the Mind (Tib. blo sbyong, Pro. "lo jong"):

Relative bodhicitta slogans relating to the paramita of Discipline:

* Sending and taking should be practiced alternately. These two should ride the breath.
* Three objects (friends, enemies, neutral people), three poisons (passion, aggression, delusion), three seeds of virtue (realizing the emptiness of any of these is virtuous).
* In all activities, train with slogans.
* Begin the sequence of sending and taking with yourself.

Contradictions to the paramita of Discipline:

Contradictions Mainly to Benefitting Others:
* Rejecting those who do not keep their discipline.
* Not developing learning, which inspires others' faith.
* Making little effort for the benefit of sentient beings.
* Not performing evil actions even though it is permitted when one has compassion and there is need.

Contradictions Mainly to Benefitting Oneself:
* Willingly taking up any of the five kinds of wrong livelihood.
* Mindlessly indulging.
* Due to desire and attachment, remaining in samsara.

Contradictions to Benefitting Both Onself and Others:
* Not preventing getting a bad reputation.
* Not controlling the kleshas.