Posted by Walker on June 02, 1998 at 01:02:20:
Somebody sent me the following. I liked it so much that I shared it with my Sunday School class (Mormon). But I don't know where it comes from. Snooping around for buddist stuff on the Web, I couldn't find it.
When I read it to my Mormon friends they invariably say, "Yes, this is all compatible with Mormonism". Then I have to go back and read 1 and 2 carefully to them. No, it is not compatible with Mormonism; that is Mormons don't say it is okay to "not be bound by any doctrines, even Mormon ones".
I happen to like the first and second mindfullness training. I read a little about UU and that seemed to fit these ideas also. Who else teaches this and who was the first to teach it?
Modern Zen Buddahism - The Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings of the Order
of Interbeing
- Thich Nhat Hanh
The First Mindfulness Training: Openness Aware of the suffering created
by fanaticism and intolerance, we are determined not to be idolatrous
about or bound to any doctrine, theory or ideology, even Buddhist ones.
Buddhist teachings are guiding means to help us learn to look deeply and
to develop our understanding and compassion. They are not doctrines to
fight, kill, or die for.
The Second Mindfulness Training: Nonattachment to 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.
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
compassionate dialogue.
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.
The Fifth Mindfulness Training: Simple, Healthy Living Aware that true
happiness is rooted in peace, solidity, freedom, and compassion, and not
in wealth and 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 brings toxins into our own and the collective body
and consciousness.
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 those we think are the cause of our 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, we are committed to
training ourselves to live deeply each moment of our daily life. We will
not be carried away by regrets about the past, worries about the future,
or craving, anger or jealousy in the present. We are determined to learn
the art of mindful living by touching seeds of joy, peace, love, and
understanding in ourselves, thus facilitating the work of transformation
and healing in our consciousness.
The Eighth Mindfulness Training: Community and Communication Aware that
the 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.
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.
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.
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 or
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 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, we are determined to cultivate
nonviolence, understanding, and compassion in our daily lives, to
promote peace education, mindful meditation, 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.
The Thirteenth Mindfulness Training: Generosity Aware of the suffering
caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing and oppression, we
are committed to cultivating lovingkindness 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.
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.