Five Mindfulness Training

“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 programmes, 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 practising a diet for myself and for society. I understand that a proper diet is crucial for self-transformation and for the transformation of society.”

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(February 08, Paris, Sri Lanka Guardian) The society is infested by violence etc. Moral degradation is alarming! The Buddhists are believed to observe Five Precepts. In spite of the fact that many people observe a religious teaching negative powers are gaining the planet.

The great contemporary Buddhist philosopher and meditation master Thich Nhat Hanh has updated the old Five Precepts so that they would fit for the modern world and its needs. Specially he prefers not to use the word Precept because it has a connotation a outside order or a law! Instead he calls them Five Mindfulness Training.

In many Christian and Catholic churches in the USA Five Mindfulness Training are observed. Many Westerners who come to the LE VILLAGE DES PRUNIERS (Plum Village) the Meditation Centre situated in France observe Five Mindfulness Training for six months, one year or life time etc.

Instead of observing every day, in every ceremony etc. if people think to observe Five Mindfulness Training for a longer period like six months he would tend to respect them than taking every day in a habitual way! The great non-violent philosopher E.W. Adikaram is said to have taken Five Precepts only one time in his life time. He faced even harsh criticisms for his bold decision.

Therefore I invite all the readers of Sri Lanka Guardian to peruse Five Mindfulness Training and to see to themselves whether they are convincing. Some times some bigotry zealots may come against them. With mindful awareness we can practice them for the betterment of the society as a whole.

Five Mindfulness Training By Master Thich Nhat Hanh

The First Mindfulness Training

Aware of the suffering caused by the destruction of life, I am committed to cultivating compassion and learning 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 support any act of killing in the world, in my thinking, and in my way of life.

The Second Mindfulness Training

Aware of 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 Third Mindfulness Training

Aware of the suffering caused by sexual misconduct, I am committed to cultivating responsibility and learning 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 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 criticise 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 Fifth Mindfulness Training

Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I am committed to cultivating good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my family and my society by practising mindful eating, drinking and consuming. I will 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 programmes, 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 practising a diet for myself and for society. I understand that a proper diet is crucial for self-transformation and for the transformation of society.

(Bhikkhu Mandawala Pannawansa thero is a well known Buddhist monk born in Sri Lanka, currently lives in France. Contact Email- pannawansa@aol.com)