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THE FOURTEEN MINDFULNESS TRAININGS
OF THE ORDER OF INTERBEING
[AH version]
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1. The First Mindfulness Training:
Openness
Aware of the suffering created by fanaticism and intolerance, we
are determined not to be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine,
theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist teachings are
guiding means to help us learn to look deeply and to develop our
understanding and compassion. They are not doctrines to fight,
kill, or die for.
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2. The Second Mindfulness Training:
Nonattachment to Views
Aware of the suffering created by attachment to views and wrong
perceptions, we are determined to avoid being narrow-minded and
bound to present views. We shall learn and practice non-attachment
from views in order to be open to others' insights and
experiences. We are aware that the knowledge we presently possess
is not changeless, absolute truth. Truth is found in life, and we
will observe life within and around us in every moment, ready to
learn throughout our lives.
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3. The Third Mindfulness Training:
Freedom of Thought
Aware of the suffering brought about when we impose our views on
others, we are committed not to force others, even our children, by
any means whatsoever—such as authority, threat, money,
propaganda, or indoctrination—to adopt our views. We will
respect the right of others to be different and to choose what to
believe and how to decide. We will, however, help others renounce
fanaticism and narrowness through compassionate dialogue.
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4. The Fourth Mindfulness Training:
Awareness of Suffering
Aware that looking deeply at the nature of suffering can help us
develop compassion and find ways out of suffering, we are
determined not to avoid or close our eyes before suffering. We are
committed to finding ways, including personal contact, images, and
sounds, to be with those who suffer, so we can understand their
situation deeply and help them transform their suffering into
compassion, peace, and joy.
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5. The Fifth Mindfulness Training:
Simple, Healthy Living [AH
version]
Aware that true happiness is rooted in peace, solidity, freedom,
and compassion, and not in wealth or fame, we are determined not to
take as the aim of our life fame, profit, wealth, or sensual
pleasure, nor to accumulate wealth while millions are hungry and
dying. We are committed to living simply and sharing our time,
energy, and material resources with those in need. We will practice
mindful consuming, not using products that bring toxins into our
own and the collective body and consciousness.
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6. The Sixth Mindfulness Training:
Dealing with Anger
Aware that anger blocks communication and creates suffering, we are
determined to take care of the energy of anger when it arises and
to recognize and transform the seeds of anger that lie deep in our
consciousness. When anger comes up, we are determined not to do or
say anything, but to practice mindful breathing or mindful walking
and acknowledge, embrace, and look deeply into our anger. We will
learn to look with the eyes of compassion at those we think are the
cause of our anger.
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7. The Seventh Mindfulness Training:
Dwelling Happily in the Present
Moment
Aware that life is available only in the present moment and that it
is possible to live happily in the here and now, we are committed
to training ourselves to live deeply each moment of daily life. We
will try not to lose ourselves in dispersion or be carried away by
regrets about the past, worries about the future, or craving,
anger, or jealousy in the present. We will practice mindful
breathing to come back to what is happening in the present
moment. We are determined to learn the art of mindful living by
touching the wondrous, refreshing, and healing elements that are
inside and around us, and by nourishing seeds of joy, peace, love,
and understanding in ourselves, thus facilitating the work of
transformation and healing in our consciousness.
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8. The Eighth Mindfulness Training:
Community and Communication
Aware that the lack of communication always brings separation and
suffering, we are committed to training ourselves in the practice
of compassionate listening and loving speech. We will learn to
listen deeply without judging or reacting and refrain from uttering
words that can create discord or cause the community to break. We
will make every effort to keep communications open and to reconcile
and resolve all conflicts, however small.
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9. The Ninth Mindfulness Training:
Truthful and Loving Speech
Aware that words can create suffering or happiness, we are
committed to learning to speak truthfully and constructively, using
only words that inspire hope and confidence. We are determined not
to say untruthful things for the sake of personal interest or to
impress people, nor to utter words that might cause division or
hatred. We will not spread news that we do not know to be certain
nor criticize or condemn things of which we are not sure. We will
do our best to speak out about situations of injustice, even when
doing so may threaten our safety.
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10. The Tenth Mindfulness Training:
Protecting the Sangha
Aware that the essence and aim of a Sangha is the practice of
understanding and compassion, we are determined not to use the
Buddhist community for personal gain or profit or transform our
community into a political instrument. A spiritual community
should, however, take a clear stand against oppression and
injustice and should strive to change the situation without
engaging in partisan conflicts.
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11. The Eleventh Mindfulness Training:
Right Livelihood
Aware that great violence and injustice have been done to our
environment and society, we are committed not to live with a
vocation that is harmful to humans and nature. We will do our best
to select a livelihood that helps realize our ideal of
understanding and compassion. Aware of global economic, political
and social realities, we will behave responsibly as consumers and
as citizens, not investing in companies that deprive others of
their chance to live.
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12. The Twelfth Mindfulness Training:
Reverence for Life
Aware that much suffering is caused by war and conflict, we are
determined to cultivate nonviolence, understanding, and compassion
in our daily lives, to promote peace education, mindful meditation,
and reconciliation within families, communities, nations, and in
the world. We are determined not to kill and not to let others
kill. We will diligently practice deep looking with our Sangha to
discover better ways to protect life and prevent war.
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13. The Thirteenth Mindfulness Training:
Generosity
Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice,
stealing, and oppression, we are committed to cultivating loving
kindness and learning ways to work for the well-being of people,
animals, plants, and minerals. We will practice generosity by
sharing our time, energy, and material resources with those who are
in need. We are determined not to steal and not to possess anything
that should belong to others. We will respect the property of
others, but will try to prevent others from profiting from human
suffering or the suffering of other beings.
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14. The Fourteenth Mindfulness Training:
Sexual Responsibility [AH version]
Aware that sexual relations motivated solely by craving cannot
dissipate the feeling of loneliness but can create more suffering,
frustration, and isolation, we are determined not to engage in
sexual relations without mutual understanding, care, respect, and a
loving commitment to the long-term wellbeing of ourselves and
others. In sexual relations, we must be aware of future suffering
that may be caused. We know that to preserve the happiness of
ourselves and others, we must respect the rights and commitments of
ourselves and others. We will do everything in our power to protect
children from sexual abuse and to protect couples and families from
being broken by sexual irresponsibility. We will treat our bodies
with respect and preserve our vital energies (sexual, breath,
spirit) for the realization of our bodhisattva ideal. We will be
fully aware of the responsibility of bringing new lives into the
world, and will meditate on the world into which we are bringing
new beings.
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