Buddhist Sangha of South Jersey
> Conduct
The Five Mindfulness Trainings
The First Mindfulness 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.
The Second Mindfulness 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 who are 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.
The Third Mindfulness 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.
The Fourth Mindfulness 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 their 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 that can cause the family or community to break. I will make all efforts to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.
The Fifth Mindfulness 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 or 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 for the transformation
of society.