The Ethical Precepts and Philosophical Tenets of Zen Buddhism

Buddhism Ten Paramitas Dharmapada Sutra Tantric Buddhism

Ethical Zen Precepts: First Second Third Fourth Fifth

Virtues How to Live a Good Life

Taoism Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu

Yamas and Niyamas of Hinduism

The Philosophical Tenets of Zen Buddhism

Somaesthetic Theory and Practices

Links Bibliography Quotes

Zen Poetry

Cloud Hands Blog

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.

"Life and limb are precious to every living being and nobody has the right to destroy the life of anotherfor any reason. But we know that human beings kill others individually and collectively in the name ofhuman rights, religion, peace, nation, race, culture and population control- all assumed good purposes. Hatred, jealousy, power, greed, ill will, selfishness, cruelty, callousness, pride, ignorance are incentivesthat provide and drive one to commit panatipata. This is a deviation from the Noble Eight Fold Path -Right understanding, thought and action." - The Buddhist Perspective of Lay Morality, Dr. Bodhippriya Subhadra Sinwardena

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.

Must All Buddhists Be Vegetarians?

"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 betterthan rocks, but all speech is wrong. What can you do?" - Zen Master Wu Bong (Jacob Perl), Five Precepts

If a person does not harm any living being and does not kill or cause others to kill - that person is a true spiritual practitioner. - The Dhammapada

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. Live simply and frugally.

"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-beingof 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 tosteal and not to possess anything that should belong to others. I will respect the propertyof others, but I will prevent others from profiting from human suffering or the sufferingof other species on Earth." - The Five Precepts

"The second precept deals with taking things that are not given. This is more that justnot stealing. It means not coveting things in the material, psychological, or in the spiritualrealms. Desire stems from a feeling ofincompleteness. This precept teaches us to acceptourselves wholly and to make this total acceptance is to become complete, toattain the Buddha state." - Zen Master Wu Bong (Jacob Perl), Five Precepts

"The second Major Precept prohibits stealing. A disciple of the Buddha must not steal by oneself,encourage others to steal, facilitate stealing, steal with mantras, or involve oneself in the causes,conditions, methods, or karma of stealing, to the extent that one must not deliberately steal thepossessions of ghosts, spirits, or any other beings all valuables and possessions, includingsuch objects as small as a needle or a blade of grass. A Bodhisattva should give rise to a mindof filial compliance, kindness, and compassion toward the Buddha nature.... If instead aBodhisattva steals anothers valuables or possessions, a Bodhisattva Parajika (major) offense is committed." - Brahma Net Sutra

Dhammic Socialism 100K

A Disciple of the Buddha Does Not Steal Taitaku Pat Phelan. 20K

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 andhappiness to others and relieve others of their suffering. Knowing that words can createhappiness 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 certainand will not criticize or condemn things of which I am not sure. I will refrain from utteringwords that can cause division or discord, or that can cause the family or the communityto 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 fromoppression 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

Drugs and Alcohol

Somaesthetic Practices for Good Health, Well-Being and Mindfulness

Comments by Michael P. Garofalo

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 Zenstudentsand all monastics (monks and nuns) do take vows to abide by the Five Precepts in a formalceremony (Jukai - Japanese). Monastics abide by many additional Preceptsrelating to lifestyleand social behavior.Taking the Five Precepts represents one's formalentry into Buddhism, and represents a serious religious commitment to the Buddha (thehistorical Buddha, enlightened beings, as well as the Buddha nature in all), Dharma (Buddhist scriptures, wisdom literature, as well as the truths and insights wediscover while living), and the Sangha (the Buddhist communityas well as interrelations with allbeings).

The tendency of Zen writings and lectures to emphasize monistic metaphysics, and to discourage dualistic perspectives, will create some confusion for new students of Zen Buddhism who are considering its ethical aspects. Thinking about good and evil,right and wrong, or healthy minded and sick minded all involve making distinctions and dualistic perspectives.

On the whole, I have foundthat Zen masters and teachersand committed practitioners emphasize kindness,compassion, honesty, humility,love of work and the arts, down toearthness,sobriety, meditation, humor, simplicity,nonviolence, freedom, self-reliance,and enlightenment. However, wisdom andenlightenment are given the highest emphasis, and less is said about moral conformity or the moral reform of society.

"Ring the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets it."- Leonard Cohen

Yamas: Moral Observances and Restraints

1. Nonviolence, Not Harming, Not Killing Ahimsa 2. Truthfulness, Not Lying, Not Gossiping, Good Speech Satya 3. Not Stealing, Paying Debts, Not Gambling, Keeping Promises, Not Wasting Asteya 4. Divine Conduct, Immersed in Divinity, Celibacy, Following Marriage Vows Brahmacharya 5. Patience, Restraining Intolerance, Don't Argue, Slow Down Kahama 6. Steadfastness, Persistence, Perseverance, Industriousness Dhriti 7. Compassion, Kindness, Helpfulness Daya 8. Honest, Law Abiding, Not Cheating, Fair Arjava 9. Moderation, Proper Eating, Simplicity, Not Greedy Mithara and Aparigraha 10. Purity, Cleanliness, Proper Language, Keep Good Company Saucha

Niyamas: Spiritual Practices, Religious Observances, Values

1. Remorse, Humility, Apologize, Acknowledge Wrongdoing, Correct Your Faults Hri 2. Contentment, Serenity, Gratitude, Simplicity, Following Spiritual Values Santosha 3. Giving, Charity, Liberality, Volunteer, Support Worthwhile and Spiritual Causes Dana 4. Faith Astikya 5. Worship, Surrender to God, Love of God Ishvara Pujana 6. Scriptural Listening Sidhanta Shravana 7. Cognition, Self-Study, Meditation, Seek Knowledge, Follow Guru Mati and Svadhyaya 8. Sacred Vows Vrata 9. Recitation Japa 10. Austerity, Fervor, Effort, Work, Energy Tapas - Yamas and Niyamas From the Indian scriptures, The Upanishads: Shandilya and the Varuha. From 600-100 BCE Hinduism's Code of Conduct

See also Patanjalis Yoga Sutra, Circa 2nd Century CE (Yoga Sutra, Verses 2:30 2:34.)

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