The Ten Novice Precepts

The true basis for the life of a novice monk or nun is the

practice of the Ten Precepts and, what are called in monastic

Buddhism, "Mindful Manners." These are concrete

manifestations of the practice of mindful living, of a life

of liberation and love. They confirm that you have left

behind the world of entanglement and are moving in the

direction of peace, love, and freedom. In fact, they are

mindfulness itself. Without mindful awareness in each act

of everyday life, these precepts and manners are lifeless,

without spirit.

The Ten Novice Precepts might appear as a limitation

of a novice's freedom, but in reality they protect it and

bring joy and harmony to you as an individual and to

your community (Sangha). When you practice the precepts,

you practice concentration and insight at the same

time; and precepts, concentration, and insight always

help you realize peace and liberation right away. Practicing

the precepts and Mindful Manners nourish your

bodhichitta (mind of love) and prevent you from losing

sight of the deepest goals of the monastic life. The Buddha

encouraged his disciples to practice the Ten Precepts

and the Trainings in Mindful Manners diligently in order

to prepare for full ordination as a monk (bhikshu) or a

nun (bhikshuni).

THE FIRST PRECEPT

On Protecting Life

Aware of the suffering brought about by the

destruction of life, I vow to cultivate compassion

and learn ways to protect the lives of humans

and all other species. I am determined not to

kill, not to let others kill, and not to condone

any act of killing in the world, in my thinking,

or in my way of life.

When a novice practices this precept, he or she learns

to look at all beings with the eyes of compassion and

thereby transforms the seeds of violence and hatred and

nourishes the seeds of love. Violence and hatred cause

boundless suffering. While a novice walks, sits, stands,

lies down, works, speaks, eats, or drinks, she does not

forget that all species are suffering. Protecting life is the

first practice of someone cultivating her bodhichitta, mind

of love.

THE SECOND PRECEPT

On Respecting What Belongs to Others

Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation,

social injustice, stealing, and oppression, I vow

to cultivate loving kindness in order to bring joy

and peace to humans and all other species. I am

determined to share my time and energy with

those who are in real need. I vow not to steal or

take into possession anything that belongs to my

community or anyone else. I will respect the

property of others, but I will prevent others from

profiting from human suffering or the suffering

of other species.

When a novice practices this precept, he nourishes loving

kindness by working to end injustice. The first step

for a monk or nun is to live simply with only the possessions

he needs. The beauty of a monk or a nun's life

comes from this simple lifestyle, that allows them to have

more time and energy to help others and bring them lasting

joy.

THE THIRD PRECEPT

On Protecting Chastity

Aware that the aspiration of a monk or a nun

can only be realized when I wholly leave behind

the bonds of worldly love, I vow to protect myself

and to help others to protect themselves by the

practice of chastity. I know that any sexual

engagement will destroy my life as a monk or a

nun and damage the lives of others. I am aware

that having a sexual relationship will prevent

me from realizing my ideal to serve living

beings.

When a novice practices this precept, he or she is protecting

his or her freedom. Monks and nuns practice this

precept not merely by repressing sexual desire, but by

following their deepest aspiration to bring happiness to

many people. Because we value our commitment to cultivate 

true love for ourselves and everyone, we are determined

not to harm or become sexually involved with

anyone. People can rely on us and be open with us, and

we can, in turn, offer stability and counsel.

THE FOURTH PRECEPT

On Mindful Speech and Deep Listening

Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful

speech, I vow to cultivate right 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 say only things

that inspire self-confidence, peace, joy, and

hope. I am determined to speak the truth in a

way that brings about understanding and

harmony. I vow not to say things that are

untrue or that bring about division and hatred.

I vow not to spread news that I do not know to

be certain, nor to criticize or condemn things of

which I am not sure. I am determined to listen

deeply with love and compassion in order to

understand the suffering and difficulties of

others and to bring them comfort. I am determined

not to say things that might bring about

division or disharmony in my community of

practice, or that can cause the community to

break. I am determined not to speak to anyone

about the faults of any monk or nun outside my

Sangha or of another practice center, even

though I may think that these faults are real.

When a novice practices this precept, he realizes the

harmony of speech, views, and thought, which are three

of the Six Concords.* She nourishes compassion and loving

kindness and is able to offer happiness to everyone

who is around.

THE FIFTH PRECEPT

On Protecting and Nourishing Body

and Mind-Not Consuming Alcohol,

Drugs, or Other Items That Contain

Toxins

Aware of the suffering caused by the consumption

of alcohol, drugs, and other intoxicants, I

vow not to ingest any food or beverage that

contains toxins and that deprives me of the

control of my body and mind or brings about

heaviness or ill-being in my body or my spirit. I

am determined to practice mindful eating,

drinking, and consuming, to consume only

items that bring peace and joy to my body and

mind. I vow not to drink liquor or wine, not to

use drugs, and not to consume any other

intoxicants, including books and films, that can

poison me with violence, fear, craving, or

hatred.

When a novice practices this precept, he or she lives

wholesomely, keeping healthy and fresh in body and

mind so that favorable conditions for the practice and for

serving others can arise. In accord with the spirit of this

precept, novices also do not smoke cigarettes or drink

beer.

THE SIXTH PRECEPT

On Not Using Cosmetics

or Wearing Jewelry

Aware that the true beauty of a monk or a nun

is found in his or her stability and freedom, I

vow to adorn myself and my Sangha with the

practice of mindfulness made concrete by my

training in the precepts and Mindful Manners

at all moments. I realize that cosmetics and

jewelry only bring about an outer show of

attractiveness and foster attachment and

infatuation. Therefore, I vow to live simply and

dress neatly, wearing clean clothes. I resolve not

to use perfume, powder, or other cosmetics or

jewelry.

When a novice practices this precept, she knows that

stability and freedom are produced by practicing mindful

walking, standing, lying down, sitting, eating, drinking,

working, speaking, and being in touch every day. Stability

and freedom make life beautiful, and a novice uses

them to adorn his Buddha Land. Were a novice to wear

makeup or jewelry, it would be difficult to see the

beauty of freedom and stability shining in her face, and

people might lose confidence in the practice. When a

novice practices the gathas, the Ten Precepts, and Mindful

Manners, dressing simply and neatly wearing clean

robes, he or she manifests a purity and lightness that can

be a source of enlightenment and inspiration for many.

THE SEVENTH PRECEPT

On Not Being Caught in Worldly

Amusements

Aware that many songs, films, books, amusements,

and games can damage body and mind

and waste precious time that could be used for

study and practice, I am determined not to be

drowned in these distractions. I am determined

not to read novels, look at worldly films or

books, or seek distraction by singing or listening

to love songs or other kinds of music that cause

negative emotions to arise. I will not waste time

playing electronic games or gambling.

There is so much to learn and practice in the life of a novice that no

time can be spared for reading novels. Most novels (love, detective,

etc.) are not good for the novice. Excellent novels--great works of

literature-have to wait until the training is accomplished.

When a novice practices this precept, he or she knows

that chanting and singing Dharma songs are ways of

practicing mindfulness and sowing wholesome seeds. But

artworks that water seeds of sorrow, attachment, despair,

hatred, or craving can cause harm, and that is why she

keeps away from them.

THE EIGHTH PRECEPT

On Not Living a Life of Material

Luxury

Aware that a monk or nun who lives with too

much comfort or luxury becomes prone to

sensual desire and pride, I vow to live my whole

life simply, with few desires. I resolve not to sit

on luxurious chairs or lie down on luxurious

beds, not to wear silk or embroidered fabrics,

not to live in luxurious quarters, and not to

travel using luxurious means of transport.

When a novice practices this precept, the true beauty

and freedom of his life as a monk or a nun are protected.

THE NINTH PRECEPT

On Being Vegetarian and Not Eating

Apart from the Sangha

Aware of the need to maintain good health, to

live in harmony with the Sangha, and to

nourish compassion in my heart, I vow to be

vegetarian for the whole of my life and not to

eat apart from the Sangha except when I am

sick.

By practicing this precept, a novice shows compassion

in concrete ways. By determining to be vegetarian, a

monk or nun contributes even a little to the lessening of

the slaughter of animals. By eating at the appropriate time

and not too often, too heavily, or too late in the day, a

monk or nun is able to stay light in body and mind, and

this is conducive to the practice of mindful living and to

sleeping well at night.

THE TENTH PRECEPT

On Not Accumulating Money or

Possessions for Personal Use

Aware that the happiness of a monk or a nun is

found in solidity and freedom, I vow not to

allow money or possessions to become a preoccupation

in my life. I am determined not to

accumulate money or possessions for my own

use, not to look for happiness in the accumulation

of these things, and not to think that

money, precious objects, or possessions will

increase my true security.

When a novice practices this precept, he or she should

know that looking after the property and material goods

of the Sangha is a way of respecting and serving the

Three Jewels and not based on a wish to be wealthy as

an individual A novice needs to remember that the aim

of a monk or a nun is to practice in order to be liberated

and serve people. To be overly occupied with the financial

activities of the temple to the extent that there is no

time left for practice is a misfortune that needs to be

avoided.