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I quite enjoy reading the various Buddhist schools of thought. There are specific Orders founded across the Eastern part of the world. These various Orders, though seemingly different, are united at the very core. They all seem to revolve around the essential teachings of the original Buddhadharma.
This particular Order, the Order of Interbeing, was founded by Thich Nhat Hanh in Vietnam during the war. The followers of this Order make efforts towards practicing certain 14 precepts in their daily life. What I really like about it is, how the emphasis of practicing the precepts lies not as a strict rule-based approach to life, but as a means of guidance for daily living. It brings to mind the image of a wise old elder leading a child gently across a bridge with utmost courage, peace and confidence. I do enjoy freedom very much, and in such expression, I find that it's easier to expand the mind.
The 14 precepts of the Order are as follows:
- The Lion's Roar: 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.
- Truth Is Found In Life: Do not think the knowledge you presently possess is changeless, absolute truth. Avoid being narrow-minded and bound to present views. Learn and practice nonattachment from views in order to be open to receive others viewpoints. Truth is found in life and not merely in conceptual knowledge. Be ready to learn throughout your entire life and to observe reality in yourself and in the world at all times.
- Freedom Of Thought: 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.
- Awareness Of Suffering: 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.
- Living Simply: 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.
- Compassion Is Understanding: 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 the persons who have caused your anger and hatred.
- Mindful And Joyful Living: Do not lose yourself in dispersion and in your surroundings. Practice mindful breathing to come back to what us 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 facilitate the work of transformation in the depths of your consciousness.
- Harmony In The Community: 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.
- Mindful Speech: Do no 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 know 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 safety.
- Standing Up To Injustice: 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.
- Right Livelihood: 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.
- Protecting Life: Do not kill. Do not let others kill. Find whatever means possible to protect life and prevent war.
- Social Justice: Possess nothing that should belong to others. Respect the property of others, but prevent others from profiting from human suffering or the suffering of the other species on Earth.
- Three Sources Of Energy: 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 commitment. In sexual relationships, be aware of future sufferings that may be caused. To preserve the happiness of others, respect the rights and commitments of others. Be filly aware of the responsibility of bringing new lives into the world. Meditate on the world into which you are bringing new beings.
