Members of the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association feel that it is extremely important for followers of the Dharma to maintain the high standards of ethics and practice originally taught by the Buddha. Although we may fall short of these standards, it is a mistake to dilute the teachings and bring them down to the level of our own personal inability and limited views. Rather we should recognize our faults and limitations and "try our best" to really change and go towards the ideal good as exemplified by the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.

A Bodhisattva reflects to himself,

From beginningless kalpas in the past, because of greed, hatred and stupidity, in body, speech, and thought, I have created measureless, limitless bad karma. If this bad karma had a substance and appearance, exhausting the reaches of space it could not be contained within. I now completely purify my three karmas, and sincerely repent of all this before all the Buddhas and assemblies of Bodhisattvas throughout the Dharma Realm in world systems as numerous as the particles of dust in a world. I will never do any of it again, rather I will always abide in the merit and virtue of the pure moral precepts.
The more we study the Sutras and actually practice the teachings, the more we become aware of how great our ignorance and faults are. Indeed, the key to genuine wisdom is the ability to see our ignorance and faults. For how can we solve the problem of our ignorance, the root of suffering, if we do not even realize to what extent it exists?

If we really have faith and some understanding of the Buddha's teachings, then, when we realize our faults, or when others point them out to us, we are truly happy, because we have the opportunity to change and go towards Enlightenment.

The Sage has few errors.
The superior man changes his errors.
The petty man covers his errors.
A foolish man never sees his errors.
No matter how great our faults are, or how obstructed we are by our greed, hatred, and delusion, we always have the potential to recognize this and change. One of the most remarkable things about the Dharma is that, although the criteria of the Buddha's ultimate purity and wisdom make our own state seem so coarse and impure by comparison, yet all of us still have the potential to become just like the Buddha.

The kindness of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas is difficult to repay. If it were not for their great compassion we would not have the opportunity even to know about our true, enlightened nature, let alone the way to practice in order to realize it.

I am a good doctor for those who are suffering from sickness. I show the proper road to those who have lost their way. I am a bright light for those within the dark night. And I enable those who are poor to discover hidden treasures. A Bodhisattva in this way equally benefits all living beings......

Why? Because all Buddhas, the Thus Come Ones, take a heart of great compassion as their substance. Because of living beings, they give rise to great compassion. From great compassion, the Bodhi-mind is born. Because of the Bodhi-mind they realize the Equal and Right Enlightenment.
If we maintain the high standards of the Buddha's teachings, then we are giving ourselves and others the opportunity to realize the ultimate happiness and wisdom which come from studying and practicing them. The precious treasure of the Dharma must be carefully protected.