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Stepping into Freedom, $16.00
Have you ever wished for a simpler life an opportunity to transform the stresses of the busyness and complexity of our fast-paced society? Stepping into Freedom offers us a look at Buddhist monastic life and shows us all ways to live simply, beautifully and happily while dwelling in the present moment. It is a book of guidelines, encouraging words, reminders, and poems for novice monks and nuns in the Buddhist tradition.
Included are basic teachings on conscious breathing, sitting and walking meditation, and "mindful manners" that can help us reduce stress, lead a wholesome and happy life, and cultivate our mind of love, whether in a monastic society or in the larger society of the world.
Thich Nhat Hanh has taught four generations of young monks and nuns in Vietnam and the West, as well as thousands of lay practitioners. In Vietnam he cofounded the An Quang Buddhist Institute and the Van Hanh Buddhist University. He has studied and taught at Columbia and Princeton Universities, and the Sorbonne.
Introduction xi
Part One Gathas for the Practice of Mindful Living 1
Part Two The Ten Novice Precepts 25 The First Precept: On Protecting Life 28 The Second Precept: On Respecting What Belongs to Others 28 The Third Precept: On Protecting Chastity 29 The Fourth Precept: On Mindful Speech and Deep Listening 30 The Fifth Precept: On Protecting and Nourishing Body and Mind, Not Consuming Alcohol, Drugs, or Other Items That Contain Toxins 31 The Sixth Precept: On Not Using Cosmetics or Wearing Jewelry 32 The Seventh Precept: On Not Being Caught in Worldly Amusements 33 The Eighth Precept: On Not Living a Life of Material Luxury 34 The Ninth Precept: On Being Vegetarian and Not Eating Apart from the Sangha 34 The Tenth Precept: On Not Accumulating Money or Possessions for Personal Use 35
Part Three Mindful Manners 37
Part Four Encouraging Words, Master Guishan 87
Part Five A Talk for Young Monks and Nuns, Thich Nhat Hanh 99
Part Six Ceremony for Reciting the Ten Precepts 121
Part Seven Open the Road Wider 141
Part Eight Sources 147
Gathas for the Practice of Mindful Living
When I entered Tu Hieu Monastery as a novice in 1942, I received a copy of Gathas for Daily Use, compiled by Chinese meditation master Duti. Gathas are short verses to recite during daily activities to help us return to mindfulness. At Plum Village in France, we practice gathas all day long�when we wake up, when we enter the meditation hall, during meals, when we wash the dishes, and with each activity. To meditate is to be aware of what is going on in our bodies, our feelings, our minds, and the world.Dwelling in the present moment, we can see so many beauties and wonders right before our eyes�a child's smile, the sun rising, the autumn leaves. We can be happy just by being aware of what is in front of us. Practicing with a gatha can help us return to ourselves and to what is going on in the present moment. It is helpful to memorize these gathas, a few at first, and more as you go on with the practice. As you silently recite the first line, breathe in; and as you silently recite the second line, breatheout. When the gatha is finished, continue your activity, and you will find that your mindfulness has increased. When we drive, road signs help us find our way. We "see" the last sign until the next one appears. Practicing with gathas is the same. When we practice well, the gathas are with us continuously, and we live our whole day in awareness.
1 Waking Up Waking up this morning, I smile. Twenty-four brand new hours are before me. I vow to live fully in each moment and to look at beings with eyes of compassion.
2 Taking the First Steps of the Day Walking on the Earth is a miracle! Each mindful step reveals the wondrous Dharmakaya.
3 Stepping out of Bed If today I inadvertently step on a small insect, may it not suffer too much. May it be liberated. Homage to the Bodhisattva of the Land of Great Happiness.
4 Opening the Window Opening the window, I look out onto the Dharmakaya. How wondrous is life! Attentive to each moment, my mind is clear like a calm river.
5 Turning on the Water Water comes from high mountain sources. Water runs deep in the Earth. Miraculously, water comes to us and sustains all life. My gratitude is filled to the brim.
6 Washing Your Hands Water flows over these hands. May I use them skillfully to preserve our precious planet.
7 Brushing Your Teeth Brushing my teeth and rinsing my mouth, I vow to speak purely and lovingly. When my mouth is fragrant with right speech, a flower blooms in the garden of my heart.
8 Rinsing Your Mouth Rinsing my mouth, my heart is cleansed. The universe is perfumed by flowers. Actions of body, speech, and mind are calmed. Hand in hand with the Buddha, I walk in the Pure Land.
9 Using the Toilet Defiled or immaculate, increasing or decreasing-- these concepts exist only in our mind. The reality of interbeing is unsurpassed.
10 Bathing Unborn and indestructible, beyond time and space both transmission and inheritance lie in the wonderful nature of Dharmadhatu.*
11 Looking in the Mirror Awareness is a mirror reflecting the four elements. Beauty is a heart that generates love and a mind that is open.
12 Washing Your Feet The peace and joy of one toe is peace and joy for my whole body.
13 Putting on the Monk's/Nun's Robe Putting on this monk's/nun's robe, my heart is at ease. I live a life of freedom, bringing joy to the world.
14 Putting on the Sanghati Robe How wonderful is the robe of a nun (monk), a field of precious seeds. I vow to receive it, and wear it lifetime after lifetime.
15 Entering the Meditation Hall Entering the meditation hall, I see my true self. As I sit down, I vow to cut off all disturbances.
16 Sitting Down Sitting here is like sitting under a Bodhi tree. My body is mindfulness itself, free from all distraction.
17 Finding a Stable Posture In the lotus posture, the human flower blooms. The udumbara flower is here, offering its true fragrance.*
18 Calming the Breath Breathing in, I calm my body. Breathing out, I smile. Dwelling in the present moment, I know this is a wonderful moment!
19 Adjusting Posture Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.
20 Greeting Someone A lotus for you a Buddha to be.
21 Holding the Alms' Bowl The bowl of the Tathagata is in my two hands. Giver, receiver, and gift held in perfect oneness.
22 Blessing the Offering to the Hungry The ways of the Awakened One are wondrous. His limitless compassion transforms seven grains of rice into food enough for everyone.
23 Offering to the Hungry Great garuda bird, hungry spirits in immense wastelands, mother and child starving in the desert, the balm of compassion satisfies all their hunger.
24 Before Eating The Buddha advises us to be mindful while we eat, to be in touch with the Sangha and the food. Brothers and sisters, when you hear the bell, meditate on the Five Contemplations: This food is the gift of the whole universe�the earth, the sky, and much hard work. May we be worthy to receive it. May we transform unskillful states of mind, especially the habit of eating without moderation. May we take only foods that nourish us and prevent illness. We accept this food to realize the path of understanding and love.
25 Holding the Empty Bowl Looking at this bowl, I see how fortunate I am to have enough to eat to continue the practice.
26 Serving Food In this food, I see clearly the entire universe supporting my existence.
27 Before Eating Beings all over the Earth are struggling to live. I aspire to practice deeply so all may have enough to eat.
28 Beginning to Eat With the first taste, I offer joy. With the second, I help relieve the suffering of others. With the third, I see others' joy as my own. With the fourth, I learn the way of letting go.
29 Looking at Your Plate or Bowl after Eating The meal is finished, and I am satisfied. The four gratitudes are deeply in my mind.
30 Bathing the Buddha Today we bathe the Tathagata. So much happiness comes from awakened understanding. We have drifted a long time in the three realms. Now we see that this world of dust is the Dharmakaya itself.
31 Inviting the Bell to Sound (Version 1) Body, speech, and mind held in perfect oneness, I send my heart along wi
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