2. The Second Mindfulness Training: Nonattachment from Views
Aware of the suffering created by attachment to views and wrong perceptions,
we are determined to avoid being narrow-minded and bound to present views. We
shall learn and practice nonattachment from views in order to be open to others'
insights and experiences. We are aware that the knowledge we presently possess
is not changeless, absolute truth. Truth is found in life, and we will observe
life within and around us in every moment, ready to learn throughout our lives.
3. The Third Mindfulness Training: Freedom of Thought
Aware of the suffering brought about when we impose our views on others, we
are committed not to force others, even our children, by any means whatsoever
- such as authority, threat, money, propaganda, or indoctrination - to adopt
our views. We will respect the right of others to be different and to choose
what to believe and how to decide. We will, however, help others renounce fanaticism
and narrowness through practicing deeply and engaging in compassionate dialogue.
4. The Fourth Mindfulness Training: Awareness of Suffering
Aware that looking deeply at the nature of suffering can help us develop compassion
and find ways out of suffering, we are determined not to avoid or close our
eyes before suffering. We are committed to finding ways, including personal
contact, images, and sounds, to be with those who suffer, so we can understand
their situation deeply and help them transform their suffering into compassion,
peace, and joy.
5. The Fifth Mindfulness Training: Simple, Healthy Living
Aware that true happiness is rooted in peace, solidity, freedom, and compassion,
and not in wealth or fame, we are determined not to take as the aim of our life
fame, profit, wealth, or sensual pleasure, nor to accumulate wealth while millions
are hungry and dying. We are committed to living simply and sharing our time,
energy, and material resources with those in need. We will practice mindful
consuming, not using alcohol, drugs, or any other products that bring toxins
into our own and the collective body and consciousness.
6. The Sixth Mindfulness Training: Dealing with Anger
Aware that anger blocks communication and creates suffering, we are determined
to take care of the energy of anger when it arises and to recognize and transform
the seeds of anger that lie deep in our consciousness. When anger comes up,
we are determined not to do or say anything, but to practice mindful breathing
or mindful walking and acknowledge, embrace, and look deeply into our anger.
We will learn to look with the eyes of compassion at ourselves and at those
we think are the cause of our anger.
7. The Seventh Mindfulness Training: Dwelling Happily in the Present Moment
Aware that life is available only in the present moment and that it is possible
to live happily in the here and now, we are committed to training ourselves
to live deeply each moment of daily life. We will try not to lose ourselves
in dispersion or be carried away by regrets about the past, worries about the
future, or craving, anger, or jealousy in the present. We will practice mindful
breathing to come back to what is happening in the present moment. We are determined
to learn the art of mindful living by touching the wondrous, refreshing, and
healing elements that are inside and around us, and by nourishing seeds of joy,
peace, love, and understanding in ourselves, thus facilitating the work of transformation
and healing in our consciousness.
8. The Eighth Mindfulness Training: Community and Communication
Aware that lack of communication always brings separation and suffering, we
are committed to training ourselves in the practice of compassionate listening
and loving speech. We will learn to listen deeply without judging or reacting
and refrain from uttering words that can create discord or cause the community
to break. We will make every effort to keep communications open and to reconcile
and resolve all conflicts, however small.
9. The Ninth Mindfulness Training: Truthful and Loving Speech
Aware that words can create suffering or happiness, we are committed to learning
to speak truthfully and constructively, using only words that inspire hope and
confidence. We are determined not to say untruthful things for the sake of personal
interest or to impress people, nor to utter words that might cause division
or hatred. We will not spread news that we do not know to be certain nor criticize
or condemn things of which we are not sure. We will do our best to speak out
about situations of injustice, even when doing so may threaten our safety.
10. The Tenth Mindfulness Training: Protecting the Sangha
Aware that the essence and aim of a Sangha is the practice of understanding
and compassion, we are determined not to use the Buddhist community for personal
gain or profit or transform our community into a political instrument. A spiritual
community should, however, take a clear stand against oppression and injustice
and should strive to change the situation without engaging in partisan conflicts.
11. The Eleventh Mindfulness Training: Right Livelihood
Aware that great violence and injustice have been done to our environment and
society, we are committed not to live with a vocation that is harmful to humans
and nature. We will do our best to select a livelihood that helps realize our
ideal of understanding and compassion. Aware of global economic, political and
social realities, we will behave responsibly as consumers and as citizens, not
supporting companies that deprive others of their chance to live.
12. The Twelfth Mindfulness Training: Reverence for Life
Aware that much suffering is caused by war and conflict, we are determined to
cultivate nonviolence, understanding, and compassion in our daily lives, to
promote peace education, mindful mediation, and reconciliation within families,
communities, nations, and in the world. We are determined not to kill and not
to let others kill. We will diligently practice deep looking with our Sangha
to discover better ways to protect life and prevent war.
13. The Thirteenth Mindfulness Training: Generosity
Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing, and
oppression, we are committed to cultivating loving kindness and learning ways
to work for the well-being of people, animals, plants, and minerals. We will
practice generosity by sharing our time, energy, and material resources with
those who are in need. We are determined not to steal and not to possess anything
that should belong to others. We will respect the property of others, but will
try to prevent others from profiting from human suffering or the suffering of
other beings.
14. The Fourteenth Mindfulness Training: Right Conduct
(For lay members): Aware that sexual relations motivated by craving cannot dissipate
the feeling of loneliness but will create more suffering, frustration, and isolation,
we are determined not to engage in sexual relations without mutual understanding,
love, and a long-term commitment. In sexual relations, we must be aware of future
suffering that may be caused. We know that to preserve the happiness of ourselves
and others, we must respect the rights and commitments of ourselves and others.
We will do everything in our power to protect children from sexual abuse and
to protect couples and families from being broken by sexual misconduct. We will
treat our bodies with respect and preserve our vital energies (sexual, breath,
spirit) for the realization of our bodhisattva ideal. We will be fully aware
of the responsibility of bringing new lives into the world, and will meditate
on the world into which we are bringing new beings.
(For monastic members): Aware that the aspiration of a monk or a nun can only be realized when he or she wholly leaves behind the bonds of worldly love, we are committed to practicing chastity and to helping others protect themselves. We are aware that loneliness and suffering cannot be alleviated by the coming together of two bodies in a sexual relationship, but by the practice of true understanding and compassion. We know that a sexual relationship will destroy our life as a monk or a nun, will prevent us from realizing our ideal of serving living beings, and will harm others. We are determined not to suppress or mistreat our body or to look upon our body as only an instrument, but to learn to handle our body with respect. We are determined to preserve vital energies (sexual, breath, spirit) for the realization of our bodhisattva ideal.