The Sixteen Bodhisattva Precepts

 I took these precepts formally in 2018, receiving the dharma name Shin Chi, which I am told can mean “deep wisdom.” In the Zen school in which I practice, one is asked to say something very personal about each one. The boldface below represents what I said about them. The lightface represents what was originally written by Boundless Way Zen. I also took the precepts in the Korean school in which I used to practice (this was in the early nineties) and the name I was given then was Il Shim, which I am told can mean “one mind.”

REFUGES

I take refuge in the Buddha, in Oneness, the awakened nature of all things. I take refuge in the enlightenment that surrounds us, and aspire to recognize it everywhere, in everyone, and everything, and outside of things.

I take refuge in the Dharma, in Diversity, in the Ocean of Wisdom and Compassion. I take refuge in the teachings that surround me, and, when I’m overwhelmed by them, to miss as few of them as I can.

I take refuge in the Sangha, in Harmony, in the interdependence of all.  I take refuge in all beings and vow to be ready for all beings to take refuge in me.

VOWS

Not knowing, thereby giving up fixed ideas about myself and the universe, I vow to cease from evil.  I vow to be grateful whenever I’m able to see greed, hatred, and ignorance arise, with the hope that in that seeing evil may cause it to cease.

Bearing witness to the joy and suffering of the world, I vow to practice good. I vow to practice good in a way that goes unnoticed.

Honoring wholeness in myself and others, I vow to save all beings.  I vow to save all beings, and to allow myself to be saved by all beings.

PRECEPTS

1.  Recognizing that I am not separate from all a is, I take up the Way of Not Killing. I vow to remember the truth of no separation from which non-killing naturally arises.

2. Being satisfied with what I have, I vow to take up the Way of Not Stealing. May awareness of the lack of separation between any of us reveal the absurdity of the whole idea of taking something not given.

3.  Honoring mutuality and respecting commitment I vow to take up the Way of Not misusing Sex. I vow to be aware of the misuse of sex in every way it manifests, and in doing so, not to miss the really obvious ways.

4.  Listening and speaking from the heart, I vow to take up the Way of Not Speaking Falsely.  I vow to strive to let my words be true and to let my silence also be true.

5.  Cultivating a mind that sees clearly, I vow to take up the Way of Not Intoxicating Mind and Body. I vow to be aware of the small and subtle ways that mind and body are subject to intoxication, and in doing so, not to ignore the big and obvious ways.

6.  Unconditionally accepting what life has to offer, I vow to take up the Way of Not Finding Fault with Others. I also vow to repent of whenever I’ve found fault with anyone, anytime the memory of it by grace arises.

7. Meeting others on equal ground, I vow to take up the Way of Not Elevating Myself at the Expense of Others.  I vow to remember that we’re all on equal ground already, and that any thought I’ve had otherwise has been foolishness.

8.  Using all the ingredients of my life,  I vow to take up the Way of Not Sparing the Dharma Assets. Conscious of the great wealth of the dharma, and the incredible good fortune to be able to hear and practice it, I vow not to keep it to myself.

9.  Transforming suffering into wisdom, I vow to take up the Way of Not Harboring Ill will. I vow to be inhospitable to ill will whenever I recognize it. And when I discover it’s snuck in and taken up residence, to kindly evict it.

10.  Honoring my life as an instrument of the Great Way, I vow to take up the Way of Not Defaming the Three Treasures. In order to take up the way of not defaming the three treasures, I vow to aspire to speak ill of no person or thing.