Here is an excerpt from Thich Nhat Hanh's 14 precepts from the book, Peace Is Every Step:
1. Do not be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory or ideology. All systems of thought are guiding means; they are not absolute truth.
2. Do not think that the knowledge you presently possess is changeless, absolute truth. Avoid being narrow-minded and bound to present views.
3. Do not force others to adopt your views. However, through compassionate dialogue, help others renounce fanaticism and narrowness.
4. Do not avoid contact with suffering or close your eyes before suffering. Find ways to be with those who are suffering.
5. Do not accumulate wealth while millions are hungry. Do not take as the aim of your life fame, profit, wealth, or sensual pleasure.
6. Do not maintain anger or hatred.
7. Do not lose yourself in your surroundings. Be in touch with what is wondrous, refreshing and healing, both inside and around yourself.
8. Do not utter words that can create discord and cause the community to break. Make every effort to reconcile and resolve all conflicts.
9. Do not say untruthful things for the sake of personal interest or to impress people.
10. Do not use the religious community for personal gain or profit or transform your community into a political party.
11. Do not live with a vocation that is harmful to humans and nature.
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.
14. Do not mistreat your body. Learn to handle it with respect.
2 comments:
How many of these common sense tenets does my pal Cal Thomas violate in this particular column?
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2008/jun/13/obama_fails_christianity_test/
OK, I have to go - I'm cramming for my Christianity Test. It's part of God's new "No Creation Left Behind Initiative."
It doesn't matter so much who we are or what we do now, it's what you say. On the test.
Oh So Piously,
Spideywhomper
PS If Cal Thomas believed the recent memo about hell being full, no more room, he's not understanding those mysterious ways in which God works and all that. There are a few advance reservations for people who've accrued massive Extra Credit!
Oops. Something happened to that link. I'll see if I can split it up, so it doesn't get cut off like that again. Spidey
Here goes:
http://www2.ljworld.com/
news/2008/jun/13/obama_
fails_christianity_test/
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