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Fourteen Precepts of Engaged Buddhism

by Thich Nhat Hahn

1) Do not be idolatrous about
or bound to any doctrine,
theory, or ideology, even Bud-
dhist ones. Buddhist systems
of thought are guiding means;
they are not absolute.

2) Do not think the knowledge
you presently possess is change-
less, absolute truth. Avoid being
narrow-minded and bound to
present views. Learn and practice
nonattachment from views in
order to be open to receive others'
viewpoints. Truth is found in life
and not merely in conceptual
knowledge. Be ready to learn
throughout your entire life and
to observe reality in yourself and
in the world at all times.


3) Do not force others, including
children, by any means whatsoever,
to adopt your views, whether by
authority, threat, money, propaganda,
or even education. However, through
compassionate dialogue, help others
renounce fanaticism and narrowness.

4) Do not avoid contact with suffering
or close your eyes before suffering.
Do not lose awareness of the existence
of suffering in the life of the world.
Find ways to be with those who are
suffering, including personal contact,
visits, images, and sounds. By such
means, awaken yourself and others to
the reality of suffering in the world.

5) Do no accumulate wealth while
millions are hungry. Do not take as
the aim of your life fame, profit,
wealth, or sensual pleasure. Live
simply and share time, energy, and
material resources with those who
are in need.

6) Do not maintain anger or hatred.
Learn to penetrate and transform
them when they are still seeds in
your consciousness, as soon as they
arise, turn your attention to your
breathing in order to see and under-
stand the nature of your hatred.

7) Do not lose yourself in dispersion
and in your surroundings. Practice
mindful breathing to come back to
what is happening in the present
moment. Be in touch with what is
wondrous, refreshing, and healing
both inside and around you. Plant
seeds of joy, peace and under-
standing in yourself in order to
facilitate the work of transformation
in depths of your consciousness.

8) Do not utter words that can
create discord and cause the
community to break. Make every
effort to reconcile and resolve all
conflicts, however small.

9) Do not say untruthful things
for the sake of personal
interest or to impress people.
Do not spread news that you do
not know to be certain. Do not
criticize or condemn things of
which you are not sure. Always
speak truthfully and constructively.
Have the courage to speak out
about situations of injustice, even
when doing so may threaten your
own safety.

10) Do not use the Buddhist
community for personal gain or
profit, or transform your
community into a political party.
A religious community, however,
should take a clear stand against
oppression and injustice and should
strive to change the situation with-
out engaging in partisan conflicts.

11) Do not live with a vocation
that is harmful to humans and
nature. Do not invest in companies
that deprive others of their chance
to live. Select a vocation that helps
realize your ideal of compassion.

12) Do not kill. Do not let others
kill. Find whatever means possible
to protect life and prevent war.

13) Possess nothing that should
belong to others. Respect the
property of others, but prevent others
from profiteering from human suffer-
ing or the suffering of other species
on earth.

14) Do not mistreat your body.
Learn to handle it with respect. Do
not look on your body as only intru-
ment. Preserve, vital energies (sex-
ual, breath, spirit) for realization of
the way. Sexual Expression
should not take place without love or
commitment. In sexual relationships,
be aware of future suffering that may
be caused. To preserve the happiness
of others, respect the rights and
commitments of others. Be fully aware
of responsibility of bringing new lives
into the world. Meditate on the world
into which you are bringing new beings.