The 14 principles and several verses to live with attention, by Thich Nhat Hanh
THE 14 PRINCIPLES
1. Do not be an idolian or tie yourself to any doctrine, theory or ideology, even Buddhists. All thought systems are guides, they are not the absolute truth.
2. Do not believe that the knowledge you have now is absolute, immutable. Avoid being narrow-minded and tie yourself to present points of view. Learn and practice detachment from your views to be open to receiving the views of others. It is found in and not in conceptual knowledge. Prepare to learn through everything, to observe in yourself and in the world at all times.
3. Do not force others, not even children, by any means at all, to adopt your views, whether by authority, threat, money, propaganda or even education. However, through compassionate dialogue, it helps others to give up fanaticism and narrowness.
4. Do not avoid contact or close your eyes to suffering. Do not lose consciousness of the existence of suffering in life and the world. Find ways to be with those who suffer by all means. Including personal contact and visits, images and sound. By such means wake up in yourself and in others the reality of suffering in the world.
5. Do not accumulate wealth while millions are hungry. Do not take fame, profit, wealth or sensual pleasure as the goal of your life. Simply live and share the time, energy and material resources with those in need.
6. Don't keep anger or hate. As soon as anger or hatred arises, practice meditation on compassion to deeply understand people who have caused anger or hate. Learn to see other beings with the eyes of compassion.
7. Don't get lost in the dispersion or the environment around you. Learn to practice breathing to regain body and mind composure, to practice attention, and to develop concentration and understanding.
8. Don't say words that can create discord and cause a break in the community. Make every effort to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, even if they are small.
9. Do not say false things for personal interest or to impress others. Do not pronounce words that cause deviation or hate. Don't spread news that you don't know is not true. Do not criticize or condemn things you are not sure of. Always speak truthfully and constructively. Have the courage to talk about situations of injustice, even if doing so may threaten your own security.
10. Do not use the Buddhist community for personal gain or profit, do not transform your community into a political party. A religious community must, however, take a clear attitude against oppression and injustice, and must strive to change the situation without engaging in partisan conflicts.
11. Do not live with a vocation that is harmful to humans and nature. Do not invest in companies that deprive others of their opportunity to live. Choose a vocation that helps you realize your ideal of compassion.
12. Do not kill. Don't let others kill. Find all possible means to protect life and prevent war.
13. Do not own anything that should belong to others. Respect the property of others but prevent others from enriching themselves with human suffering or the suffering of other beings.
14. Do not mistreat your body. Learn to handle it with respect. Do not see your body simply as an instrument. Preserve the vital energies (sexual, breathing, spirit) for the realization of the path. Sexual expression should not occur without love and commitment. In sexual intercourse, be aware of the future suffering that may be caused. To preserve the happiness of others, respect the rights and commitments of others. Be fully aware of the responsibility of bringing new lives to the world. Meditate on the world to which you are bringing new beings.
Do not believe that I feel that I follow each and every one of these precepts perfectly. I know I fail in many ways. None of us can fully meet any of them. However, I must work towards that goal. That is my goal. No word can replace practice only practice can make words.
"The finger that points to the moon is not the moon."
YOUR VERSES TO LIVE WITH ATTENTION
In the teaching of Thich Naht Hanh much emphasis is placed on the cultivation of conscious attention. He usually uses verses or gathas that one can recite in order to remember to keep conscious attention at all times. He has composed gathas for all the actions of the day from waking up to sleeping.
In their retreats they ring a bell periodically and when they hear it, the members of the retreat stop what they are doing, focus their attention on the breath and recite a verse.
Thich Nhat Hanh was born in Vietnam in 1926 and has been a Buddhist monk for more than forty years as well as a poet and peace activist. He was nominated by Martín Luter King Jr. For the Nobel Peace Prize in 1967. He currently lives in Plum Village, a Buddhist community near Bordeaux, France, which he founded in 1982. He has written more than 60 books, his book stands out: "Verses to live with attention".
VERSES TO LIVE WITH ATTENTION
The wake up
You have to start the day with a smile,
since I have the new 24 hour gift for me.
I decide to live them fully,
and see everyone, with the eyes of compassion.
Preparing food
In fresh vegetables I see a green sun.
All Dharmas come together to make the miracle of life possible.
Serving food
In this meal I clearly see the presence of the entire universe maintaining my existence.
The five contemplations
This meal is the gift of the entire universe - the Earth, the sky and a lot of hard work.
We must eat carefully so that we can be worthy of receiving it.
It is necessary that we transform our less skilled mental states and learn to eat in moderation.
We should only eat foods that nourish us and prevent the onset of diseases.
We accept these foods in order to carry out the path of understanding and love.
Contemplating the food
This dish of food, so aromatic and appetizing, also contains a lot of effort and suffering. This can help us always see the positive side of things.
Starting to eat
With the first bite, I promise to offer joy.
With the second, I promise to help alleviate the suffering of others.
With the third, I promise to see the joy of others, on my own.
With the fourth, I promise to learn the path of detachment and equanimity.
Finishing my meal
The plate is empty.
My hunger satisfied.
But from now on I will consciously strive to live, for the benefit of all beings.
Drinking tea
Keeping the cup of tea with my two hands, I can focus my attention.
My mind and body dwell in the here and now.
Washing the dishes
Washing the dishes is like bathing a baby Buddha.
The profane is the sacred. The daily mind is the mind of the Buddha.
Extracted from the teachings of Thich Nat Hanh
(and adapted by unconscious thinking)
Visit here a page of his in English.
Spanish Shanghai by Thich Nhat Hanh.
Download here his “verses to live with attention”.
-> Seen at: http://www.pensamientoconsciente.com/
