Start by becoming aware of your breath.
Could be the sensation of the air hitting your nostrils.
The sensation of your stomach and lower back expanding.
Come into your own body as I read the 16 Bodhisattva precepts and the tradition of Soto Zen.
Having taken refuge,
We can embrace the three pure precepts.
Cease from evil,
Release all self-attachment.
This is the house of all the ways of Buddha.
This is the source of all the laws of Buddhahood.
Do only good,
Take selfless action.
The Dharma of the Natara Samyak Sambodhi,
Perfect enlightenment,
Is the Dharma of all existence,
Never apart from the present moment.
Do good for others,
Embrace all things and conditions.
Leap beyond the holy and the unholy,
Let us rescue ourselves together with all beings.
Having embraced the three pure precepts,
We can commit to the ten grave precepts.
Do not kill,
Cultivate and encourage life.
In the realm of the everlasting Dharma,
Holding no thought of killing is the precept of not killing.
The life of Buddha increases with life,
No life can be cut off.
Continue the life of Buddha,
Do not kill Buddha.
Do not steal,
Honor the gift not yet given.
In the realm of the unattainable Dharma,
Holding no thought of gain is the precept of not stealing.
The self and the things of the world are just as they are.
The mind and its object are one,
The gateway to enlightenment stands open wide.
Do not misuse sexuality,
Remain faithful in relationships.
In the realm of the unguilted Dharma,
Not coveting or creating of the near of attachment is the precept of not misusing sexuality.
The three wheels are pure and clear,
When there is nothing to desire,
We follow the way of all Buddhas.
Do not speak dishonestly,
Communicate truthfully.
In the realm of the inexplicable Dharma,
Putting forth not one word is the precept of not speaking dishonestly.
The Dharma wheel turns from the beginning,
There is neither surplus nor lack.
The sweet dew covers the earth,
And within it lies the truth.
Do not become intoxicated,
Polish clarity,
Dispel delusion.
In the realm of the intrinsically pure Dharma,
Not harboring delusions is the precept of not becoming intoxicated.
We are naturally pure,
There is nothing to be deluded about.
This is enlightenment itself,
Understand this truly and no intoxicants can be taken in.
Do not dwell on past mistakes,
Create wisdom from ignorance.
In the realm of the flawless Dharma,
Not expounding upon error is the precept of not dwelling on past mistakes.
In the Buddha Dharma,
There is one path,
One Dharma,
One realization,
One practice.
Do not engage in fault finding,
Do not condone haphazard talk.
Do not praise self or blame others,
Maintain modesty,
Extol virtue.
In the realm of the equitable Dharma,
Not dwelling upon I versus you is the precept of not praising self or blaming others.
All Buddhas and ancestors realize the empty sky and the great earth.
When they manifest the noble body,
There is neither inside nor outside an emptiness.
When they manifest the Dharma body,
Not even a speck of dust is seen upon the ground.
Do not be mean with Dharma or wealth,
Share understanding,
Give freely of self.
In the genuine,
All-pervading Dharma,
Being jealous of nothing is the precept of not being mean with Dharma or wealth.
One phrase,
One verse,
That is 10,
000 things and 100 grasses.
One Dharma,
One realization,
That is all Buddhas and Dharma ancestors.
From the beginning,
Not one thing has been begrudged.
Do not indulge anger,
Cultivate equanimity.
In the realm of the selfless Dharma,
Not contriving reality for the self is the precept of not indulging anger.
Not advancing,
Not retreating,
Not real,
Not empty.
There is a brilliant sea of clouds,
There is a dignified sea of clouds.
Do not defame the three treasures.
In the realm of the One,
Holding no concept of ordinary beings and sages is the precept of not defaming the three treasures.
To do something by ourselves without copying others is to become an example to the world.
And the merit of this becomes the source of all wisdom.
Criticize nothing,
Accept everything.
Respect the Buddha,
Unfold the Dharma,
Nourish the Sangha.
