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The Fourteen Precepts of Interbeing: Mindfulness that Transforms Suffering
The practice of precepts is the practice of mindfulness itself, born from an awareness of the suffering in the world. By maintaining mindfulness, one protects oneself, family, and all living beings, ensuring that the energy of compassion and loving kindness continues to fuel the work of helping others. Mindfulness restores the deep unity of body and mind, allowing one to touch the wisdom of ancestors and future generations in the present moment. This practice extends beyond sitting meditation into daily actions, such as walking or using water, transforming superficial perceptions into a deep realization of non-self and collective responsibility.
In the face of violence and loss, such as the murder of friends or the actions of sea pirates, the precepts act as a guiding torch. Anger is transformed into compassion by recognizing that without favorable conditions and support, anyone could commit such acts. This understanding of collective karma shifts the focus from hatred to removing misunderstanding. The Fourteen Precepts of the Order of Interbeing serve as a guideline for living deeply and ethically:
- Do not be idolatrous or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology.
- Do not think the knowledge you presently possess is changeless, absolute truth.
- Do not force others, including children, by any means to adopt your views.
- Do not avoid contact with suffering or close your eyes before suffering.
- Do not accumulate wealth while millions are hungry; live simply and share time, energy, and material resources with those in need.
- Do not maintain anger or hatred; learn to penetrate and transform them when they are still seeds in your consciousness.
- Do not lose yourself in dispersion or in your surroundings; practice mindful breathing to come back to what is happening in the present moment.
- Do not utter words that can create discord and cause the community to break; make every effort to reconcile and resolve all conflicts.
- Do not say untruthful things for the sake of personal interest or to impress people; have the courage to speak out about situations of injustice.
- Do not use the Buddhist community for personal gain or profit, or transform your community into a political party.
- Do not live with a vocation that is harmful to humans and nature.
- Do not kill. Do not let others kill. Find whatever means possible to protect life and prevent war.
- Possess nothing that should belong to others. Respect the property of others, but prevent others from profiting from human suffering.
- Do not mistreat your body. Learn to handle it with respect. Do not look on your body as only an instrument. Preserve vital energies for the realization of the Way. Sexual expression should not take place without love and commitment. Be aware of future suffering in sexual relationships. Respect the rights and commitments of others. Be fully aware of the responsibility of bringing new lives into the world.
Regular recitation of these precepts within a Sangha fosters collective wisdom and continuous improvement. Social work is most effective when it empowers the poor to help themselves, such as supporting teachers and building simple schools in remote areas, rather than focusing solely on expensive infrastructure.