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The Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings
The First Mindfulness
Training: Openness
Aware of the suffering created by fanaticism and intolerance, I am determined
not to be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory or ideology,
even Buddhist ones. Buddhist teachings are guiding means to help me learn
to look deeply and to develop my understanding and compassion. They are
not doctrines to fight, kill or die for.
The Second
Mindfulness Training:Non-attachment to Views
Aware of suffering created by attachment to views and wrong perceptions,
I am determined to avoid being narrow-minded and bound to present views.
I will learn and practise non-attachment from views in order to be open
to others’ insights and experiences. I am aware that the knowledge
I presently possess is not changeless, absolute truth. Truth is found
in life and I will observe life within and around me in every moment,
ready to learn throughout my life.
The Third
Mindfulness Training: Freedom of Thought
Aware of the suffering brought about when I impose my views on others,
I am committed not to force others, even my children, by any means whatsoever
– such as authority, threat, money, propaganda or indoctrination
– to adopt my views. I will respect the right of others to be different
and to choose what to believe and how to decide. I will, however, help
others renounce fanaticism and narrowness through compassionate dialogue.
The Fourth
Mindfulness Training: Awareness of Suffering
Aware that looking deeply at the nature of suffering can help me develop
compassion and find ways out of suffering, I am determined not to avoid
or close my eyes before suffering. I am committed to finding ways, including
personal contact, images and sounds, to be with those who suffer, so I
can understand their situation deeply and help them transform their suffering
into compassion, peace and joy.
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, I am determined not to take as the aim of my
life fame, profit, wealth or sensual pleasure, nor to accumulate wealth
while millions are hungry and dying. I am committed to living simply and
sharing my time, energy and material resources with those in real need.
I will practise mindful consuming, not using alcohol, drugs or any other
products that bring toxins into my own and the collective body and consciousness.
The Sixth
Mindfulness Training: Dealing with Anger
Aware that anger blocks communication and creates suffering, I am determined
to take care of the energy of anger when it arises and to recognise and
transform the seeds of anger that lie deep in my consciousness. When anger
comes up, I am determined not to do or say anything, but to practise mindful
breathing or mindful walking and acknowledge, embrace and look deeply
into my anger. I will learn to look with the eyes of compassion on those
I think are the cause of my anger.
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, I am committed to training
myself to live deeply each moment of daily life. I will try not to lose
myself in dispersion or be carried away by regrets about the past, worries
about the future, or craving, anger or jealousy in the present. I will
practise mindful breathing to come back to what is happening in the present
moment. I am determined to learn the art of mindful living by touching
the wondrous, refreshing and healing elements that are inside and around
me, and by nourishing seeds of joy, peace, love and understanding in myself,
thus facilitating the work of transformation and healing in my consciousness.
The Eighth Mindfulness
Training: Community and Communication
Aware that lack of communication always brings separation and suffering,
I am committed to training myself in the practice of compassionate listening
and loving speech. I will learn to listen deeply without judging or reacting
and refrain from uttering words that can create discord or cause the community
to break. I will make every effort to keep communications open and to
reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.
The Ninth Mindfulness Training: Truthful
and Loving Speech
Aware that words can create suffering or happiness,
I am committed to learning to speak truthfully and constructively, using
only words that inspire hope and confidence. I am 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. I will not spread
news that I do not know to be certain nor criticise or condemn things
of which I am not sure. I will do my best to speak out about situations
of injustice, even when doing so may threaten my safety.
The Tenth Mindfulness Training: Protecting
the Sangha
Aware that the essence and aim of a Sangha is the
practise of understanding and compassion, I am 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.
The Eleventh Mindfulness Training:
Right Livelihood
Aware that great violence and injustice have been
done to the environment and society, I am committed not to live with a
vocation that is harmful to humans and nature. I will do my best to select
a livelihood that helps realize my ideal of understanding and compassion.
Aware of global economic, political and social realities, I will behave
responsibly as a consumer and as a citizen, not investing in companies
that deprive others of their chance to live.
The Twelfth
Mindfulness Training: Reverence for Life
Aware that much suffering is caused by war and conflict, I am determined
to cultivate non-violence, understanding and compassion in my daily life,
to promote peace education, mindful mediation and reconciliation, within
families, communities, nations and in the world. I am determined not to
kill and not to let others kill. I will diligently practice deep looking
with my Sangha to discover better ways to protect life and prevent war.
The Thirteenth
Mindfulness Training: Generosity
Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing
and oppression, I am committed to cultivating loving kindness and learning
ways to work for the well-being of people, animals, plants and minerals.
I will practice generosity by sharing my time, energy and material resources
with those who are in need. I am determined not to steal and not to possess
anything that should belong to others. I will respect the property of
others, but will try to prevent others from profiting from human suffering
or the suffering of other beings.
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, I am determined
not to engage in sexual relations without mutual understanding, love and
a long-term commitment. In sexual relations, I must be aware of future suffering
that may be caused. I know that to preserve the happiness of myself and
others, I must respect the rights and commitments of myself and others.
I will do everything in my power to protect children from sexual abuse and
to protect couples and families from being broken by sexual misconduct.
I will treat my body with respect and preserve my vital energies (sexual,
breath, spirit) for the realization of my bodhisattva ideal. I will be fully
aware of the responsibility for bringing new lives in the world, and will
meditate on the world into which we are bringing new beings
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