mindfulness

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Rather, by abiding in the compassionate security the Precepts offer us, we =

are uplifting the Dharma. We may even need

to provisionally snap a precept in

order to bring about compassionate

wisdom.

 

The insight to do just this must stem

from a selfless, Buddha-manifested Mind

without thought of self-pleasure, gratification or profit.

 

But why observe such seemingly

"moralistic" constraints? Don't they

tie us down, inhibit our "human

freedom?" The selfish mind might

indeed say so. The Buddha announced

that it is of much greater benefit

to sacrifice one's unwholesome traits

of thought, body and action than to sacrifice animals, presents, etc. to

the gods. Through observing,

inspecting and keeping the Precepts

we are injecting goodness and fortune

within the present moment, bleeding

over into the next moment and the next

 

How then to observe rules which I

knowingly will "snap" here and there?

If we were to mistakenly view Precepts

as "promises unto god," we might

fall into the idea that to break a

Precept is akin to "sinning." Actually

through our fashioned awareness of observing, inspecting and keeping the P=

recepts, we are establishing the

framework for forgiveness should we

break a Precept. As Buddhists, we understand the frailty of the human cond=

ition. To break a Precept is to

return to the Precept. To re-observe

it, to re-inspect it, to forge onward

in our quest to keep it.

 

What then is observed, inspected and

kept? The first of the Five Precepts

is To Protect. To protect all life

and to continually, in all moments,

guard against the taking of any l

ife.

 

Through an awakening to the sanctity

of all life, on whatever scale, we

are practicing Compassion through Protection. Through protecting we

are benefiting life in its myriad

forms.

 

The second of the Lay Precepts is to

Practice Generosity. To refrain

from accumulating that which is not

ours and that which is not given in

full faith. Through observing and practicing generous acts, we are

defeating the exploitation and misuse

of others. We are practicing freedom

in loving kindness by generously

providing our time, energy, wealth,

possessions, good wishes, even

stern counsel. To be truly upholding

this Precept, there should not even

be the notion of "me giving unto

them" but of "benefiting us together."

 

The third Precept is to Be Bodily Respectful. Content in action. In

regards to personal relationships,

we are striving to uphold a reign on

our "wild horse" senses, vowing not

to allow them to carry us away. By

being respectful to those we are

engaged in personal relationships

with, we are maintaining awareness

of the immense suffering caused by

sexual misconduct, sensory

exploitation and mental manipulation.

 

This carries over into our

determination to conduct ourselves in

fuller knowledge of the commitments

we have undertaken to those we

maintain relationships with.

 

Liberation occurs when we awaken to

the notion that by no longer being

a victim to the senses, we are

better able to put forth effort in

regards to spiritual development.

 

The fourth Precept is to be Truth

Bearing. To refrain from falsehood.

By practicing the awareness of

upholding truthful speech, we are

combating the suffering caused by

lies, deception and manipulative vocalizations. Mindful of the effects

our own words have on others (and

others who learn of what we have

said), we are vowing to use

communication skillfully. To create

no discord, but to reconcile. To

not cut with words, but to heal with

words.

 

This extends even farther than mere vocalizations, recognizing that often

silent communication, if allowed to

be falsely received, can damage as

strongly as the spoken word.

 

The fifth Precept of the five is to

Be Mindful. To practice awareness

of what we consume, be it physical

or mental. To refrain from abusing substances, foods, and drinks,

realizing they contradict our

aspirations for awakening.

 

Through being mindful of even the

mental constituents we bring into

our mental circle, we are preventing

further disillusion to haze our

views. This includes engaging in

unwholesome conduct in regards to

the modern media. Awareness brings

about vigilance in refraining from

the propagation of negative mental

states and abusive physical states.

 

Mindfulness brings peace.

 

May the merit of the Precepts be

yours……

Yours in the Dharma,

 

Jion Prosser

Tendai Lotus Teachings

 

(http://www.tendai-lotus.org

 

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I heard of burning of the kelshas

by walking MINDFULLY

 

this page mentions running midnfully