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Mindfulness Trainings

edited December 2009 in Buddhism Basics
Found this recently:
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The First Training: Aware of the suffering caused by the destruction of life, I vow to cultivate compassion and learn ways to protect the lives of people, animals, plants and minerals. I am determined not to kill, not to let others kill, and not to condone any act of killing in the world, in my thinking and in my way of life.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The Second Training: Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing and oppression, I vow to cultivate loving kindness and learn ways to work for the well-being of people, animals, plants and minerals. I vow to practice generosity by sharing my time, energy, and material resources with those in real 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 I will prevent others from profiting from human suffering or the suffering of other species on earth.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The Third Training: Aware of the suffering caused by sexual misconduct, I vow to cultivate responsibility and learn ways to protect the safety and integrity of individuals, couples, families and society. I am determined not to engage in sexual relations without love and a long-term commitment. To preserve the happiness of myself and others, I am determined to respect my commitments and the commitments of others. I will do everything in my power to protect children from sexual abuse and to prevent couples and families from being broken by sexual misconduct.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The Fourth Training: Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen to others, I vow to cultivate loving speech and deep listening in order to bring joy and happiness to others and relieve others of suffering. Knowing that words can create happiness or suffering, I vow to learn to speak truthfully, with words that inspire self-confidence, joy and hope. I am determined not to spread news that I do not know to be certain and not to criticize or condemn things of which I am not sure. I will refrain from uttering words that can cause division or discord; or words that can cause the family or the community to break. I will make all efforts to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The Fifth Training: Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I vow to cultivate good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my family, and my society by practicing mindful eating, drinking and consuming. I vow to ingest only items that preserve peace, well being, and joy in my body, in my consciousness, and in the collective body and consciousness of my family and society. I am determined not to use alcohol or any other intoxicant or to ingest foods or other items that contain toxins, such as certain TV programs, magazines, books, films and conversations. I am aware that to damage my body and my consciousness with these poisons is to betray my ancestors, my parents, my society and future generations. I will work to transform violence, fear, anger and confusion in myself and in society by practicing a diet for myself and for society. I understand that a proper diet is crucial for self transformation and the transformation of society.
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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Namaste
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Comments

  • edited December 2009
    Thank you. What a great way to break it down! I will copy this and share it with my kids.
  • edited December 2009
    Very helpful thoughts to meditate on, thank you Geoff-Allen. :)
  • edited December 2009
    This is TNH's work I believe(?)... Good stuff.
  • edited December 2009
    Hi All

    Glad 2 hear the post has been well received.

    Yes, it is Thich Nhat Hahn's work.

    There is a version with fourteen trainings but those 5 would see you pretty well off if you followed them :)

    There is a website called plum village that is also worth a gander ...

    Namaste
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