InterBeing

THE FOURTEEN PRECEPTS
OF ENGAGED BUDDHISM

By Thich Nhat Hanh

(From the book Interbeing)

1
Do not be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory,

or ideology, even Buddhist ones.

Buddhist systems of thought are guiding means;

they are not absolute truth.

2
Do not think the knowledge you presently possess

is changeless, absolute truth.

Avoid being narrow minded and bound to present views.

Learn and practice nonattachment from views in order to be

open to receive others' viewpoints.

Truth is found in life and not merely in conceptual knowledge.

Be ready to learn throughout your entire life

and to observe reality in yourself

and in the world at all times.

3
Do not force others, including children,

by any means whatsoever,

to adopt your views, whether

by authority, threat, money, propaganda,

or even education. However, through compassionate dialogue,

help others renounce fanaticism and narrow-mindedness.

4
Do not avoid suffering or close your eyes before suffering.

Do not lose awareness of the existence of suffering

in the life of the world.

Find ways to be with those who are suffering,

including personal contact,

visits, images and sounds.

By such means, awaken yourself and others

to the reality of suffering in the world.

5
Do not accumulate wealth while millions are hungry.

Do not take as the aim of your life

fame, profit, wealth, or sensual pleasure.

Live simply and share time, energy,

and material resources

with those who are in need.

6
Do not maintain anger or hatred.

Learn to penetrate and transform them

when they are still seeds in your consciousness.

As soon as they arise,

turn your attention to your breath in order

to see and understand the nature of your hatred.

7
Do not lose yourself in dispersion

and in your surroundings.

Practice mindful breathing

to come back to what is happening

in the present moment.

Be in touch with what is wondrous, refreshing,

and healing both inside and around you.

Plant seeds of joy, peace, and understanding

in yourself in order to facilitate the work of transformation

in the depths of your consciousness.

8
Do not utter words that can create discord and cause

the community to break.

Make every effort to reconcile and resolve
all conflicts, however small.

9
Do not say untruthful things for the sake of

personal interest or to impress people.

Do not utter words that cause division and hatred.

Do not spread news that you do not know to be certain.

Do not criticize or condemn things of which you are not sure.

Always speak truthfully and constructively.

Have the courage to speak out about situations of injustice,

even when doing so may threaten your own safety.

10
Do not use the Buddhist community for personal gain or profit,

or transform your community into a political party.

A religious community, however, should take a clear stand against

oppression and injustice and should strive to change

the situation without engaging in partisan conflicts.

11
Do not live with a vocation that is harmful to humans and nature.

Do not invest in companies that

deprive others of their chance to live.

Select a vocation that helps realise your ideal of compassion.

12
Do not kill. Do not let others kill.

Find whatever means possible

to protect life and prevent war.

13
Possess nothing that should belong to others.

Respect the property of others,

but prevent others from profiting

from human suffering or the suffering of other species on Earth.

14
Do not mistreat your body.

Learn to handle it with respect.

Do not look on your body as only an instrument.

Preserve vital energies (sexual, breath, spirit)

for the realisation of the Way.
(For brothers and sisters who are not monks and nuns:)

Sexual expression should not take place

without love and commitment.

In sexual relations,

be aware of future suffering that may be caused.

To preserve the happiness of others,

respect the rights and commitments of others.

Be fully aware of the responsibility of

bringing new lives into the world.

Meditate on the world into which you are bringing new beings.

From the book 'Interbeing':

Fourteen Guidelines for Engaged Buddhism,

revised edition: Oct. l993 by Thich Nhat Hanh,

published by Parallax Press, Berkeley, California

Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh is a Buddhist monk, poet, peace activist, and the author of Being Peace, The Miracle of Mindfulness, and many other books. He lives in a monastic community in south-western France called Plum Village, where he teaches, writes, gardens, and works to help refugees world-wide. He conducts retreats throughout the world on the art of mindful living, and has conducted special retreats for American Vietnam War veterans, psychotherapists, artists, environmental activists and children.