Our life is our message.
One of the great gifts of Thich Nhat Hanh is his insistence that the true purpose of Buddhism is not to sit on a cushion in some remote monastery but to use the deep insights of mindfulness to change the world for the better.1
Today, I won’t do much writing of my own.
Rather, I want to share with you a path to purpose I find particularly inspiring.
While this is not my purpose or necessarily my path, the 14 precepts and the methodology of Engaged Buddhism speak to many of the helpful patterns found in other philosophies and schools of thought.
I’d love to hear your impressions, and also how these precepts align, challenge, or enhance your own personal reason for being.
I’ll share just a few of them below, but if you have time reading all 14 points could be an excellent mindful practice to start your day:
Do not be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist systems of thought are guiding means; they are not absolute truth.
Do not think the knowledge you presently possess is changeless, 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.
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.
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.
Do not 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.
[From “Interbeing: Fourteen Guidelines for Engaged Buddhism,” Revised edition: Oct. 1993 by Thich Nhat Hanh, published by Parallax Press, Berkeley, California.]
https://plumvillage.org/newsletter/our-life-is-our-message/
https://www.lionsroar.com/the-fourteen-precepts-of-engaged-buddhism/