Five Methods of Mindfulness Practice

“Precepts are like a bright lamp,

 

Illuminating a dark night.

 

Precepts are like a bright jeweled mirror,

 

Illuminating all dharmas.

 

Precepts are like Mani jewels,

 

Sprinkling money to help the poor.

 

Escape suffering and quickly become a Buddha.

 

Only these precepts are superior to all.

 

Therefore, Bodhisattvas,

 

Must diligently uphold them.”

 

(The Brahma Net Sutra of Bodhisattva Precepts)

The Five Precepts are one of the most specific methods of practicing mindfulness. The Five Precepts do not belong to any party or religion, so the nature of the Five Precepts is universal. It is truly a practice of compassion and wisdom.

The Five Precepts are based on the precepts developed during the time of the Buddha, which are the basic foundation for the practice of lay people.

Mindfulness is the foundation of every precept. Through mindfulness, we are aware of what is happening in our body, feelings and mind, as well as what is happening in the world so that we can avoid harming ourselves and others. Mindfulness has the ability to protect ourselves, our families and society, ensuring us a peaceful and happy present and a joyful and bright future.

Anyone at any time can live and practice the Five Precepts. By practicing the Five Precepts, we become Bodhisattvas who create harmony, protect the environment, maintain peace and build brotherhood. We protect not only the beauty of our own culture but also the beauty of other cultures, as well as all the beauty of the Earth. By carrying the Five Precepts in our hearts, we are already on the path of transformation and healing.

The First Precept: Protect Life

Aware of the suffering caused by killing, I undertake to cultivate wisdom and compassion in order to protect the lives of humans, animals, plants, and our environment. In fact, I am determined not to kill, not to let others kill, and not to support any act of killing in the world, in my thoughts, or in my daily life. Seeing that all violence caused by fear, hatred, ambition and fanaticism originates from dualistic and discriminatory thinking, I vow to cultivate an attitude of openness, non-discrimination and non-attachment to any view, doctrine or ideology in order to transform the seeds of fanaticism, dogmatism and intolerance within myself and in the world.

 

The Second Precept: True Happiness

Aware of the suffering caused by deception, theft, oppression, and social injustice, I am committed to sharing my time, energy, and resources with those in need in my daily life in thought, speech, and action. Also, I am determined not to take for myself any possessions that are not my own. Moreover, I vow to practice looking deeply to see that the happiness and suffering of others are closely related to my own happiness and suffering, that true happiness cannot be achieved without understanding and compassion, and that seeking happiness by pursuing power, fame, wealth, and sensual pleasures can bring about many consequences and despair. In addition, I have realized that true happiness comes from within my own mind and perspective, not from outside. By practicing contentment, I can live happily in the present moment if I am able to return to that moment to recognize the conditions of happiness that I already have. What is more, I vow to practice Right Livelihood to reduce the suffering of all beings on Earth and to reverse the process of global warming.

The Third Precept: True Love

Aware of the suffering caused by sexual misconduct, I am committed to learning how to be responsible in order to protect the chastity and safety of individuals, families, and society. I know that sex and love are two different things, and that sexual relations motivated by desire always bring consequences and harm to myself and others. As a result, I am determined not to have sexual misconduct with anyone except that is based on true love and a formal, long-term commitment. Furthermore, I will do everything I can to protect children, to prevent sexual misconduct from continuing to cause the breakdown of families and couples. Besides, I vow to learn appropriate methods to care for my sexual energy, to see the truth that body and mind are one, and to cultivate the virtues of loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity, which are the fundamental elements of true love, in order to increase my happiness and that of others. By practicing the Four Immeasurable Minds, I will continue to be beautiful and happy in future lives.

The Fourth Precept: Gentle and Loving Speech

 

Aware of the pain caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen, I undertake to cultivate loving speech and relaxation in order to bring joy to others, to relieve suffering, and to promote peace and reconciliation among individuals, nations, clans, and religions. Knowing that words can bring happiness or pain to others, I undertake to speak words that inspire confidence, joy, and hope, truthful words that build understanding and reconciliation. I am determined not to speak when I am angry, to practice mindful breathing and walking to look deeply into the roots of my anger, to recognize my wrong perceptions, and to understand the suffering in myself and in the person I am angry with. Additionally, I am determined to learn how to speak the truth and listen in a way that helps the other person change and see a way out of their difficulties. Also, I am determined not to spread news that I do not know to be true, nor to say things that may cause discord in my family or in my community. Moreover, I am determined to practice the Right Effort to nurture my capacity for understanding, compassion, happiness and non-discrimination, and to weaken the seeds of violence, hatred and fear that I harbor in the depths of my consciousness.

 

The Fifth Precept: Nourishment and Healing

 

Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I am committed to cultivating health, both physical and mental, through mindful eating and consumption. I am committed to looking deeply into the four kinds of food, namely food, contact, mental formations, and consciousness, in order to avoid consuming harmful foods. Furthermore, I am determined to abstain from alcohol, drugs, or any other products that contain toxins, including the internet, movies, radio, television, books, gambling, and conversation. In addition, I vow to practice regularly returning to the present moment to be in touch with what is refreshing, nourishing and healing within me and around me, not allowing regret and sadness to drag me back to the past and not allowing worry and fear to drag me into the future. What is more, I vow not to consume just to cover up my suffering, loneliness and anxiety. Also, I vow to look deeply into the interdependent nature of all things to learn how to consume in a way that maintains peace and joy in my body and mind, in the bodies and minds of society and in the living environment.

 

These five precepts are the foundation of wisdom, morality, common sense and liberation. A person who keeps these five precepts is a happy and peaceful person. A family who keeps these five precepts is a happy and peaceful family. A society who keeps these five precepts is a happy society. A country who keeps these five precepts is a happy country. The whole world that keeps these five precepts becomes a Pure Land.

 

 “All the errors of idle talk,

 

Are all ended from here,

 

The supreme wisdom of the Buddha,

 

Are all accomplished from here.

 

Therefore, Buddhists ourselves,

 

Must develop a courageous mind,

 

Strictly uphold the precepts of the Buddha,

 

As pure as a bright pearl.”

 

(The Brahma Net Sutra of the Bodhisattva Precepts)

 

 

Hoa Đạo

Translated into English by Huynh Thi Khanh Phung