The 14 Precepts – Thich Nhat Hanh

 

The Fourteen Precepts

From Interbeing, Tich Nhat Hanh

 

 1.Do not be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist systems of thought are guiding means; they are not absolute truth.

 

 

2. Do not think the knowledge you presently possess is changeless, absolute truth. Avoid being narrow-minded and bound to present vies. Learn and practice nonattachment from views in order to be open to receive other’s viewpoints. Truth is found in life and not merely in conceptual knowledge. Be ready to learn throughout your life and to observe reality in yourself and in the world at all times.

 

 

3.Do not force others, including children, by any means whatsoever, to adopt your views, whether by authority, threat, money, propaganda, or even education. However, through compassionate dialogue, help others renounce fanaticism and narrowness.

 

 

4.Do not avoid contact with suffering or close your eyes before suffering. Do not lose awareness of the existence of suffering in the life of the world. Find ways to be with those who are suffering, including personal contact, visits, images, and sounds. By such means, awaken yourself and others to the reality of suffering in the world.

 

 

5. Do not accumulate wealth while millions are hungry. Do not take as the aim of your life, fame, profit, wealth, or sensual pleasure. Live simply and share time, energy and material resources with those who are in need.

 

 

6. Do not maintain anger or hatred. Learn to penetrate and transform them when they are still seeds in your consciousness. As soon as they arise, turn your attention to your breath in order to see and understand the nature of your anger and hatred and the nature of the persons who have caused your anger and hatred.

 

7. Do not lose yourself in dispersion and in your surroundings. Practice mindful breathing to come back to what is happening in the present moment. Be in touch with what is wondrous, refreshing, and healing both inside and around you. Plant seeds of joy, peace, and understanding in yourself in order to facilitated the work of transformation in the depths of your consciousness.

 

 

8. Do not utter words that can create discord and cause the community to break. Make every effort to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.

 

 

9. Do not say untruthful things for the sake of personal interest or to impress people. Do not utter words that cause division and hatred. Do not spread news that you do not now to be certain. Do not criticize or condemn things of which you are not sure. Always speak truthfully and constructively. Have the courage to speak out about situations of injustice, even when doing so may threaten your own safety.

 

 

10. Do not use the Buddhist community for personal gain or profit, or transform your community into a political party. A religious community, however, should take a clear stand against oppression and injustice and should strive to change the situation without engaging in partisan conflicts.

 

11.Do not live with a vocation that is harmful to humans and nature. Do not invest in companies that deprive others of their chance to live. Select a vocation that helps realize your ideal of compassion.

 

12. Do not kill. Do not let others kill. Find whatever means possible to protect life and prevent war.

 

13. Possess nothing that should belong to others. Respect the property of others, but prevent others from profiting from human suffering or of other species on Earth.

 

14. Do not mistreat your body. Learn to handle it with respect. Do not look on your body as only an instrument. Preserve vital energies (sexual, breath, spirit) for the realization of the Way. (For brothers and sisters who are not monks and nuns: ) sexual expression should not take place without love and a long-term commitment. In sexual relationships, be aware of future suffering that may be caused. To preserve the happiness of others, respect the rights and commitments of others. Be fully aware of the responsibility of bringing new lives into the world. Meditate on the world into which you are bringing new beings.

 

 

Instructions for Life from His Holiness

I don’t know if His Holiness actually said all these things but regardless they are good instructions to follow

1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

2. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.

3. Follow the three R’s: Respect for self, Respect for others and Responsability for your actions.

4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.

6. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great relationship.

7. When you realize you have made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

8. Spend some time alone every day.

9. Open your arms to change but don’t let go of your values.

10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.

12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.

13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don’t bring up the past.

14. Share your knowledge. It is a way to achive immortality.

15. Be gentle with the earth.

16. One a year, go someplace you have never been before.

17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.

18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.

Vinoba Bhave’s Principles

A few months ago I FINALLY read Vinoba Bhave’s “Talks on the Gita.” The most important principle I took from his talks was remaining committed to my svadharma. In the Gita Krishna basically tells Arjuna that it is better to do his dharma poorly than someone else’s well–essentially “live your life.” If you commit to living your svadharma daily then you are always on purpose. There is no need to worry. He also discussed the equation vikarma + karma = akarma. This basically means that if you are on purpose and your intentions are always in line with your actions then you don’t create new karma. You accomplish everything by doing nothing and do nothing by doing everything!

Bhave was one of the teachers of my dear mentor Satish Kumar (Editor of Resurgence magazine). In Satishji’s autobiography “No Destination” he details the principles those staying in Bhave’s ashram lived by. Daily ashramites would pledge to: ahimsa, karuna, sacred sex, non consumerism, physical work, avoidance of bad taste, fearlessness, respect for all religions, local economy, and respect for all beings. I too believe that these are great principles to try and live by. I especially like the fact that “fearlessness” is one of the principles. Oh…if we could all be fearless

Rules to Live By in an Interdependant World

That Tao which can be named is not the Tao (Lao Tsu)— the knowledge which can be formulated is not the true Knowledge.  MY RULES TO LIVE BY IN AN INTERDEPENDENT WORLD 

v      ALWAYS BE PROACTIVE (Take Initiative!)I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavour. (Henry David Thoreau) 

v      HAPPINESS IS A STATE OF MINDHappiness is a state of mind, so the real source of happiness must lie within the mind, not in external conditions. If our mind is pure and peaceful we shall be happy, regardless of our external circumstances, but if it is impure and unpeaceful we can never be truly happy, no matter how hard we try to change our external conditions. We could change our home or our partner countless times, but until we change our restless, discontented mind we shall never find true happiness. 

v      BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND Having a high degree of security, wisdom, guidance and power that flows from an unchanging core (the Self, Spirit, Atman, Anatman etc.) is the crux of my life philosophy (anchored in nondual thought). This is the foundation for a highly proactive and effective life. By remaining anchored in this and being comfortable with change and impermanence whatever actions I need to take will unfold naturally and I will always intuitively know what I have to do and what the next step is. Understanding “Truth” (not in a religious sense) is what guides my life and is my ultimate life purpose, all my actions will serve this quest. 

v      PUT FIRST THINGS FIRSTMeaningful Connections (friendships), Health (Fitness/Nutrition), Family, and most importantly, nurturing my philosophical quest and deep love of learning (always striving to live in an ethical, ecological, and spiritual manner by constantly recognizing everything and everyone as images of the Self) are the priorities in my life. 

v      ALWAYS SEEK MUTUAL BENEFIT IN ALL INTERACTIONIf everything indeed is an image of the Self then one must always act in an ecological, ethical and spiritual manner for the highest good of all human and non human beings. Always act with pure speech, body and mind. Listen to your heart whenever you are in doubt and you will find the answer you need (though it may not be the one you are looking for). 

v      FIRST UNDERSTAND, THEN ONLY WILL YOU BE UNDERSTOODYou have two ears and one mouth, use them proportionately! Always practice empathic listening and genuinely seek to understand. People see the world not as it is but as they are! 

v      STRIVE TO BE AN ENLIGHTENED ACTIVISTHelp others because it is your dharma, displaying compassion is a natural expression of your being. Others are not separate from you, everyone is you and you are everyone. Never be attached to the fruits of your actions.  

v      REMAIN COMMITTED TO YOUR SOCIAL, MENTAL, PHYSICAL AND SPIRIUAL WELL BEINGExercise these four dimensions of your nature regularly and consistently in wise and balanced ways.  Renew these commitments weekly.