The
Ethical Precepts
and Philosophical
Tenets
of Zen
Buddhism
Ethical Precepts: First Second Third Fourth Fifth
The Philosophical Tenets of Zen Buddhism
1. I will be mindful and
reverential with all life,
I will not be
violent nor will I
kill.
Avoid killing or harming any living
being.
I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living
creatures.
I shall endeavor to protect and take care of all living
creatures.
Do not do harm to other beings.
The
First Precept: Reverence for Life. Commentary by Thich Nhat
Hanh.
Loving
Kindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness Sharon
Salzberg and John Kabat-Zinn.
Shambhala, 1997, 208
pages.
"The precepts are to help us cut off our
attachments, and when that is done,
then all the precepts are kept
naturally. And so I will ask you a question.
Once upon a time,
Zen Master Nam Cheon cut a cat in two with his knife.
Was this a good
or bad action? If you sit in silence, you are no better
than
rocks, but all speech is wrong. What can you
do?"
- Zen Master Wu Bong (Jacob
Perl), Five
Precepts
2. I will respect
the property of others, I will not
steal.
Avoid stealing. Do not take what is not yours to take.
I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is
not given.
"Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social
injustice, stealing, and oppression,
I am committed to cultivating
loving kindness and learning ways to work for the well-being
of people,
animals, plants, and minerals. I will 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 Five
Precepts
"The second precept deals with taking things that are not
given. This is more that just
not stealing. It means
not coveting things in the material, psychological, or in the
spiritual
realms. Desire stems from a feeling
of incompleteness. This precept teaches us to
accept
ourselves wholly and to make this total acceptance is to become
complete, to
attain the Buddha state."
- Zen Master
Wu Bong (Jacob Perl), Five
Precepts
Dhammic
Socialism 100K
Economics in
Buddhism Ven. Galle Udita Maha Thero. 46K.
3. I will be
conscious and loving in my
relationships,
I will not give way to
lust.
Avoid sexual
irresponsibility.
I undertake the precept to refrain from improper sexual
activity.
Do not engage in sexual misconduct.
"Aware of the suffering caused by sexual misconduct, I vow to
cultivate my 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 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 protect families
from being broken by
sexual misconduct."
The Five Wonderful
Precepts. By Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.
Buddhist Sexual Ethics. By Winton Higgins. 28K
Buddhism,
Sexuality and Gender. Edited by Jose Ignacio
Cabezon. State University
at New York, 1991.
241 pages. ISBN: 0791407586.
4. I will honor
honesty and truth, I will not deceive.
Avoid lying, or any hurtful speech.
I undertake the precept to refrain from incorrect
speech.
Refrain from lying, gossiping, slander, and spreading false
rumors.
Silence in precious, I will not gossip or engage in frivolous
conversations.
"Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and the
inability to listen to others,
I am committed to cultivating 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 am determined to speak truthfully,
with words that inspire
self-confidence, joy, and hope. I will not
spread news that I do not know to be certain
and will not 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 the community
to break. I am determined to make all
efforts to reconcile and resolve all conflicts,
however
small."
The Five
Precepts
"Furthermore, abandoning lying, the disciple of the noble ones
abstains from lying. In doing so,
he gives freedom from danger,
freedom from animosity, freedom from oppression to limitless
numbers of
beings. In giving freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, freedom
from
oppression to limitless numbers of beings, he gains a share in
limitless freedom from danger,
freedom from animosity, and freedom from
oppression. This is the fourth gift...
The Five Faultless
Gifts
"Being mindful of suffering
caused by careless or malicious
speech,
we are determined to use words
to heal the wounds of
misunderstanding,
anger, hate, and fear."
- The
Five Wonderful Precepts - Blue Iris Sangha
Ta-sui was asked, "What is the very first point?"
He
replied, "Don't think falsely."
- The Pocket
Zen Reader. Complied and translated by Thomas Cleary. Shambhala,
1999, p. 122
5. I will exercise
proper care of my body and mind,
I will
not be gluttonous nor abuse intoxicants.
Avoid alcohol and drugs which diminish clarity of consciousness.
I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead
to
carelessness.
Refrain from intoxicants that cloud the mind.
"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 intoxicants, or to
ingest foods or other items that contain toxins, such as certain
T.V.
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 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."
The Five Wonderful
Precepts. By Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.
Being mindful of suffering
caused by taking poisons into our
bodies and minds,
we are determined to take into our bodies and minds
only
those things that nourish awareness, life, and love.
- The
Five Wonderful Precepts - Blue Iris Sangha
Many people have not yet taken formal vows to
abide by the Five Precepts yet continue
to study Zen, engage in Zen
practices, and identify with Zen viewpoints. Serious
Zen
students and all monastics (monks and nuns) do take vows to
abide by the Five Precepts
in a formal ceremony (Jukai -
Japanese). Monastics abide by many additional Precepts
relating
to lifestyle and social behavior. Taking the Five Precepts
represents one's formal
entry into Buddhism, and represents a serious
religious commitment to the Buddha (the
historical Buddha,
enlightened beings, as well as the Buddha nature in all), Dharma
(Buddhist scriptures, wisdom literature, as well as the truths and
insights we discover
while living), and the Sangha (the Buddhist
community
as well as interrelations with all
beings).
Links and Bibliography
(Five Moral Precepts, Buddhist Ethics and Morality, Virtuous Life)
Abhisanda Sutta Anguttara Nikaya VIII.39: 7K
Being
Upright: Zen Meditation and the Bodhisattva Precepts.
By Reb Anderson. Rodmell Press, 2001.
288 pages. ISBN: 0962713899.
Buddhism
- Ethics. By the Venerable Khai Chin. 13K
Buddhist Ethics
Links from About.com
The
Buddhist Five Precepts as an Ethical Touchstone. Article by
David Cortesi. 12K
Buddhist Morality.
By C. George Boeree. Includes the Pancha Shila (five moral
precepts),
Metta Sutta, and other important Buddhist moral texts.
14K
Buddhist
Morality - DMOZ Links
The
Buddhist Perspective of Lay Morality. By Bodhippriya Subhadra
Siriwardena. 24K
Cutting
the Cat Into One: The Practice of the Bodhisattva Precepts. By
the Venerable Anzan Hoshin. 50K.
Daily
Practice: The Five Precepts 4K
Ron
Epstein's Online Publications Essays on Buddhist ethics.
The Five
Moral Precepts and Tenets of Zen Buddhism. By Michael P.
Garofalo. 50K+.
Quotations, links,
bibliography, summary lists, and references.
The
First Precept: Reverence for Life. Commentary by Thich Nhat
Hanh.
The Five
Precepts Lecture - audio version.
Insight Meditation Society of Seattle.
The
Five Precepts Comments by Ngak'chang Rinpoche and Khandro
Dechen. 20K.
The Five
Precepts Essay by Sunthorn Plamintr.
69K.
The Five
Precepts Lecture by Chieng Mai Dhamma Study
Group. 47K
The
Five Precepts Notes by Neil
Smithline. 11K
The Five
Wonderful Precepts. By Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.
The
Five Wonderful Precepts. Blue Iris Sangha
version. 10K.
Emptiness
in Full Bloom. Comments on Zen Master Dogen's Flowers in the
Sky. Links,
bibliography, poem, notes.
100K.
The Fourteen
Mindfulness Trainings of the Order of Interbeing. 10K
The
Healing Power of the Precepts Article by Thanissaro
Bhikkhu. 13K. Practical, clear-cut, humane, and
worthy of
respect.
Interactions Among the
Ethics of Buddhism, Daoism and Confucianism. Ven. Shengkai. 25K.
Introduction to Zen
Buddhism: Recommended Reading and Links
Leading a Buddhist Life
and the Five Precepts 18K Includes
many lists of Buddhist virtues, vices, and moral guidelines.
Mind
of Clover: Essays in Zen Buddhist Ethics. Robert
Aitken. North Point Press, 1984. 199 pages.
Observing the Moral
Precepts Comments about the consequences of breaking the five
precepts. 15K
On
the Five Precepts. Lecture by Zen Master Wu Bong (Jacob
Perl). 8K.
Posting
Five Precepts. Article by Paul D. Numrich. A
Buddhist Perspective on Ethics in Health Care. 23K.
Precepts
13K
Sila
- Moral Conduct 25K Excellent
commentary.
Taking
the Five Precepts: What Does it Mean? Lecture by Senior
Dharma Teacher Neil Bartholomew. 17K.
Taking
the Path of Zen. By Robert Aitken, Roshi. San
Francisco, North Point Press, 1985. 149 pages.
ISBN:
0865470804. Informative and wise advice for Zen students by a
influential leader.
The Ten
Precepts. The Digital Zendo.
Ten
Precepts (Dasa Sila)
Ten Precepts for monks and nuns.
Why
Should We Take the Five Precepts Questions and
answers about the Five Precepts.
51K.
Zen
Poetry Extensive links, bibliography,
selected quotes, studies. 300K+
Selected Quotations
To keep away from all evil, cultivate good,
and purify one’s mind is the advice of all
Buddhas.
Whoever destroys living beings,
speaks false words, who in the world
takes that which is not given to him,
or goes too with another's wife,
or takes distilled, fermented drinks --
whatever man indulges thus
extirpates the roots of himself
even here in this very world.
- Dhammapada: 246-247
"What keeping the precepts does is that it
liberates you from the very confined
behavior of following your desire,
anger, and ignorance. In fact, not keeping the
precepts means
staying with a way of behaving which is repressed, self
destructive;
not sound of self or in relations. Keeping the
precepts means turning away from
tunnel vision, a very wide range of
behavior; and not keeping the precepts means
keeping a very, very
narrow range of behavior, because you're just stuck in the
same habit
of "I, my, me."
Taking
the Five Precepts: What Does it Mean?
Senior
Dharma Teacher Neil Bartholomew.
I will esteem the three treasures: Buddha, Dharma,
and Sangha.
I will not defame them.
Do not do unto others what you do not want them to do to you.
"We may summarize the five precepts in relation
to the spiritual qualities that they
are likely to produce and promote
as follows. The first precept helps to promote
goodwill,
compassion, and kindness. The second can be instrumental in
developing
generosity, service, altruism, non-attachment, contentment,
honesty, and right
livelihood. The third precept helps to
cultivate self-restraint, mastery over the
emotions and senses,
renunciation, and control of sensual desire. The fourth
precept
leads to the development of honesty, reliability, and moral
integrity.
The fifth precept helps to promote mindfulness, clarity of
mind, and wisdom."
- The Five
Precepts, Chieng Mai Dhamma Study Group
The Tenets of Zen Buddhism
(The basic religious, philosophical, ethical and practice principles of Zen Buddhism.)
1) A special transmission outside the scriptures.
2) No depending upon books or words.
3) Direct pointing to the soul of man.
4) Seeing into one's nature and the attainment
of Buddhahood.
- Traditional Zen summary of basic tenets.
1) Living every moment to the fullest.
2) Transcending dualism and using it freely.
3) Respecting the physical.
4) Enlarging awareness.
5) Releasing natural altruistic action.
6) Increasing serenity and effectiveness in daily life
- What is Zen? Zen in Daily Life. Masunaga Text.
1) The realities of life are most truly seen in everyday things and actions.
2) Everything exists according to its own
nature. Our individual perceptions of
worth, correctness, beauty,
size and value exist inside our heads, not outside
them.
3) Everything exists in relation to other things.
4) The self and the rest of the universe are not separate entities but one functioning whole.
5) Man arises from nature and gets along
most effectively by collaborating with
nature, rather than trying to
master it.
6) There is no ego in the sense of an
endlessly enduring, unchanging private soul
or personality that
temporarily inhabits the body.
7) True insight does not issue from
specialized knowledge, from membership in
coteries, from doctrines or
dogmas. It comes from the preconscious intuitions of
one's whole
being, from one's own code.
8) In emptiness,
forms are born. When one becomes empty of the assumptions,
inferences,
and judgments he has acquired over the years, he comes close to
his
original nature and is capable of conceiving original ideas and
reacting freshly.
9) Being a spectator while one is also a participant spoils one's performance.
10) Security and changelessness are
fabricated by the ego-dominated mind and
do not exit in nature.
To accept insecurity and commit oneself to the unknown
creates a
relaxing faith in the universe.
11) One can live only in the present moment.
12) Living process and words about it are
not the same and should not be
treated as equal in
worth.
13) When we perceive the incongruity
between theories about life and what
we feel intuitively to be true on
the nonverbal, nonjudging plane, there is
nothing to do but to
laugh.
14) Zen art has this characteristic
quality, that it can fuse delight in a work of
visual art, knowledge of
life, and personal experiences and intuitions into one
creative
event.
15) Each of us develops into a
unique individual who enters into unique
transactions with the world as
it exists for him.
- Zen
Art for Meditation. By Stewart W. Holmes and Chimyo
Horioka. Rutland, Vermont,
Charles E. Tuttle, 1973. 115
pages. ISBN: 0804812551. pp. 15-16. Each of these "Tenets"
is
explained in relation to Zen themes in Japanese and Chinese visual
arts.
The following Eight Gates of Training "are designed to
help the practitioner
get in touch with the free, unconditioned nature
of the self."
- John Daido Loori, Roshi, Abbot of Zen Mountain
Monastery
1) Seated meditation - Zazen.
2) Teacher-student relationship.
3) Liturgy
4) Right Action - Precepts
5) Art practice
6) Body practice
7) Academic study
8) Work practice
Waking
Up: A Week Inside a Zen Monastery, p.
xiv-.
John Daido Loori,
Roshi.
Introduction to Zen Buddhism
Recommended Reading and Links
The
Beginner's Guide to Zen Buddhism. By Jean
Smith. Bell Tower, 2000. ISBN:
0609804669.
224 pages. A very elementary introduction
to Zen practice.
Buddhist Ethics:
Links, bibliography, quotations.
Manual of Zen Buddhism. By D. T.
Suzuki. New York, Weatherhill, 1960.
Mind
of Clover: Essays in Zen Buddhist Ethics. Robert
Aitken. North Point Press, 1984. 199 pages.
Return
to Silence: Zen Practice in Daily Life. By Dainin
Katagiri, Roshi. Boston, Shambhala, 1988.
194 pages. ISBN:
0877734313. May be a bit challenging and confusing for beginners;
but,
frequently cited by Zen students.
Taking
the Path of Zen. By Robert Aitken, Roshi. San
Francisco, North Point Press, 1985. 149 pages.
ISBN:
0865470804. Informative and wise advice for Zen students by a
influential leader.
The
Three Pillars of Zen : Teaching, Practice, and
Enlightenment. By Philip Kapleau,
Roshi.
Originally published in 1965. Revised and
expanded edition in March, 1989. Anchor Books, 1989.
448
pages. ISBN: 0385260938. A classic introduction that has
influenced many readers.
Waking
Up: A Week Inside a Zen Monastery. By Jack
Maguire. Woodstock, Vermont, Skylight Paths
Publishing,
2000. 189 pages. ISBN: 1893361136. Foreward
by John Daido Loori, Roshi. A good
story about life at the Zen
Mountain Monastery in Mt. Tremper, New York.
Zen
Flesh, Zen Bones: A Collection of Zen and Pre-Zen
Writings. Edited by Paul Reps and Nyogen
Senzaki.
Shambhala Pocket Classics, 1994. Originally published in
1957. 285 pages. ISBN: 1570620636. A collection
of
Zen koans, stories, poems, and sayings. In 1963, I read
Paul Reps, Alan Watts, R.H. Blyth, and D.T. Suzuki; and
my views about
religion were greatly uplifted and changed forever.
Zen
Mind, Beginner's Mind. By Shunryu Zuzuki.
Edited by Trudy Dixon. New York, Weatherill, 1970, 1997.
ISBN:
0834800799. 132 pages. On nearly every Zen student's list of
the five most influential books
about Zen Buddhism they have
read.
Distributed on the Internet by Michael P. Garofalo
I
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The Five Precepts of Buddhism
The Philosophical Tenets of Zen
Buddhism
50K, 9 July 2002, Version 4.7