Solitary Angler on Autumn River Shen Zhou 15 c China
Three Main Precepts
Avoiding harm
Doing good
Helping all beings
Ten Practices in Daily Life
I vow not to kill, but to cherish all life.
I vow not to steal, but to respect that which belongs to others.
I vow not to misuse sexuality, and to be honest and respectful in relationships
I vow not to lie, and to speak the truth.I vow not to misuse drugs or alcohol or media or anything that clouds the mind, and try to keep the mind clear.
I vow not to gossip about others’ faults, reflecting on myself instead, and to be understanding and sympathetic.
I vow not to praise myself by criticizing others, and to overcome my own shortcomings.
I vow not to withhold spiritual or material aid, but to give freely when needed and not to be stingy.
I vow not to unleash anger, and instead to seek its source.
I vow not to speak ill of the Three Treasures (Awakening, Teachings, Community), but to cherish and uphold them.
Guidelines for Daily Life
In Zen practice, we also study ways of harmonious living, mindful living sometimes called “precepts.” These are not rules, but they offer guidance and challenge us to live a life with concern for others, a life of non-harming.
They are written in the form of “vow” or resolve, or something to aspire to—something to keep in the back of our minds before we respond. These guidelines are found in many traditions and help us in human interactions.
We offer annual study of the precepts and/or ceremony to commit to these guidelines.