Recorded live at a five-day retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh, sponsored by the Community of Mindful Living, September 1st through the 6th, 1997, in Santa Barbara, California. Tape number TNG11, Transmissions of the Mindfulness Trainings with Thich Nhat Hanh. Thich Nhat Hanh Monastery, Santa Barbara, California, September 1st, 1997.

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Thich Nhat Hanh Monastery, Santa Barbara, California, September 1st, 1997. Thich Nhat Hanh Monastery, Santa Barbara, California, September 1st, 1997. Thich Nhat Hanh Monastery, Santa Barbara, California, September 1st, 1997.

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Thich Nhat Hanh Monastery, Santa Barbara, California, September 1st, 1997. Thich Nhat Hanh Monastery, Santa Barbara, California, September 1st, 1997. Thich Nhat Hanh Monastery, Santa Barbara, California, September 1st, 1997.

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Thich Nhat Hanh Monastery, Santa Barbara, California, September 1st, 1997. Thich Nhat Hanh Monastery, Instant Theme or after 1动体 The bell is invited to sound three times. Vô Biên Thành Văn Trung Cập Nguyễn Thế Thiên Thiệt Chỉ Trời Quang Ânh Đại Quả Vô Biên Giới

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Vô Biên Thành Văn Trung Cập Nguyễn Thế Thiên Thiệt Chỉ Trời Quang Ânh Đại Quả Vô Biên Giới Vô Biên Thành Văn Trung Cập Nguyễn Thế Thiên Thiệt Chỉ Trời Quang Ânh Đại Quả Vô Biên Vô Biên Thành Văn Trung Cập Nguyễn Thế Thiên Thiệt Chỉ Trời Quang Ânh Đại Quả Vô Biên Vô Biên Thành Văn Trung Cập Nguyễn Thế Thiên Thiệt Chỉ Trời Quang Ânh Đại Quả Vô Biên

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Protects our minds from thinking The fragrance of the ginseng Coexists and unites us Present concentration inside We are focused upon that in Namo Bodhisattva Vedaya Namo Mahalaya

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May this ginseng be fragrant at first glance Reflecting our careful efforts, our whole-hearted awareness And the good of our practice Loving pleasure May we in all means be companions of the Buddha and of the Bodhisattvas May we awaken from our correctness And realize our Buddhahood in the here and the now The bell is invited The bell is invited

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The bell is invited [...]

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The bell is invited [...]

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The bell is invited [...]

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The bell is invited [...]

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The bell is invited [...]

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We now have a chance to see it Study it and practice it We vow to realize its true meaning Sangha, Kathmandu, proceed. I will now call the committee to assemble in a decision number. The whole community has assembled in sufficient numbers. Yes, there is harmony. The community has gathered to realize the Sangha common to transmit the five mindfulness trainings.

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The noble community, please listen. Today, Saturday, 6th September 1997, has been declared to be the day to transmit the three religions and the five mindfulness trainings. We have gathered at the appointed time. The noble community is ready to receive and transmit the mindfulness trainings in an atmosphere of harmony. And the transmission can proceed. Is that correct? Correct. Thank you. Today, the community has gathered to give spiritual support to our brothers and sisters who will go for refuge to the three jewels and make a deep aspiration to practice the five mindfulness trainings. Will the entire community of brothers and sisters please enjoy your breathing and remain mindful when you hear the three sounds of the bell.

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The sound of the bell is the voice of the Buddha bringing us back to our true home. [...]

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We pray for the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. The sound of the bell is the voice of the Buddha bringing us back to our true home. Shall we read the three names and then ask all our brothers and sisters to stand up and join the palms. Namaste. Your name, please call.

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Margo Offer. Leon Pyle. And many wonderful others. Please stand up and join your palms. Brothers and sisters, on hearing the sound of the bell, after each recitation, touch the earth deeply one time. In gratitude to the father and the mother who gave us birth. We bow deeply before the three jewels in the ten directions. Namaste.

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In gratitude to our teachers who have shown us how to love and to understand and live happily in the present moment. We bow deeply before the three jewels in the ten directions. In gratitude to our friends who guide us on the path and offer us support in difficult moments.

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We bow deeply before the three jewels in the ten directions. We bow deeply before the three jewels in the ten directions. In gratitude to all species in the animal, vegetal and mineral realms. We bow deeply before the three jewels in the ten directions. Bell

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Bell Brothers and sisters, please sit down with your palms joined. Today, the community is there to give spiritual support to those of us who will vow to go for refuge to the three jewels and receive and practice the five wonderful mindfulness trainings. Brothers and sisters, you have had a chance to learn about and observe the way of mindfulness, understanding and love. That has been handed down to us by teachers over many centuries. And today, you have made a decision to go for refuge to the three jewels and receive and practice the five mindfulness trainings.

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To take refuge in the three jewels is to turn to the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha for protection. To take refuge in the Buddha is to take refuge in the awakened person. Who has the ability to show us the way in this life. To take refuge in the Dharma is to take refuge in a way of understanding, love and compassion. To take refuge in the Sangha is to take refuge in a community that practices according to the path of mindfulness, understanding, love and lives in a mindful way. The Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha are present in every quarter of the universe as well as in every person and all other species. To go for refuge to the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha also means to have confidence in our own ability to wake up,

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to develop and manifest understanding and love within ourselves and to practice the way for ourselves and for the community. Brothers and sisters, please repeat after me the three refuges. I take refuge in the Buddha, the one who shows me the way in this life. Please bow. I take refuge in the Dharma, the way of understanding and love. Please bow. I take refuge in the Sangha,

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the community that lives in harmony and awareness. Brothers and sisters, you have formally received the three refuges in order to see the three jewels in your own heart and bring them into your daily life. Today you have become a student of the Buddha and have made a vow to live a mindful life. Now it is time for us to receive the five mindfulness trainings. Please listen carefully and deeply. The five wonderful mindfulness trainings have the capacity to protect life and make it beautiful. The mindfulness trainings encourage us in the direction of peace,

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joy, liberation and awakening. They are the foundation for individual happiness and the happiness of the family and society. If you practice according to the five mindfulness trainings, you are already on the path of a Bodhisattva. The five mindfulness trainings protect us and help us avoid making mistakes and creating suffering, fear and despair. Practicing the five mindfulness trainings, we are able to build peace and happiness within ourselves and in our family and joy and peace in our society. Brothers and sisters, I will now recite the five wonderful mindfulness trainings one by one. Please listen carefully with a calm and clear mind. Say, yes, I do, every time you see you have the capacity to receive, study and practice the mindfulness training that is read.

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Brothers and sisters, are you ready? This is the first mindfulness training. Aware of the suffering caused by the destruction of life, I am committed to cultivate compassion and learn ways to protect the lives of people, animals, plants and minerals. I am determined not to kill, not to let others kill and not to condone any act of killing in the world in my thinking and in my way of life. This is the first of the five mindfulness trainings. Do you make the vow to receive, study and practice it? Yes. Please bow. The second mindfulness training.

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Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing and oppression, I am committed to cultivate loving kindness and learn ways to work for the well-being of people, animals, plants and minerals. I am committed to practice generosity by sharing my time, energy and material resources with those who are in real need. I am determined not to steal and not to possess anything that should belong to others. I will respect the property of others, but I will prevent others from profiting from human suffering or the suffering of other species on earth. This is the second of the five mindfulness trainings. Do you make the vow to receive, study and practice it? Yes. Please bow. The third mindfulness training.

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Aware of the suffering caused by sexual misconduct, I am committed to cultivate responsibility and learn ways to protect the safety and integrity of individuals, couples, families and society. I am determined not to engage in sexual relations without love and a long-term commitment. To preserve the happiness of myself and others, I am determined to respect my commitments and the commitments of others. I will do everything in my power to protect children from sexual abuse and to prevent couples and families from being broken by sexual misconduct. This is the third of the five mindfulness trainings. Do you make the vow to receive, study and practice it?

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The fourth mindfulness training. Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen to others, I am committed to cultivate loving speech and deep listening in order to bring joy and happiness to others and relieve them of their suffering. Knowing that words can create happiness or suffering, I am committed to learn to speak truthfully with words that inspire self-confidence, joy and hope. I am determined not to spread news that I do not know to be certain and not to criticize or condemn things of which I am not sure. I will refrain from uttering words that can cause division or discord or that can cause the family or the community to break. I will make all efforts to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.

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This is the fourth of the five mindfulness trainings. Do you make the vow to receive, study and practice it? The fifth mindfulness training. Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I am committed to cultivate good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my family and my society by practicing mindful eating, mindful drinking and consuming. I am committed to ingest only items that preserve peace, well-being and joy in my body, in my consciousness and in the collective body and consciousness of my family and society. I am determined not to use alcohol or any other intoxicant

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or to ingest foods or other items that contain toxins such as certain television programs, magazines, books, films and even conversations. I am aware that to damage my body or my consciousness with these poisons is to betray my ancestors, my parents, my society and future generations. I will work to transform violence, fear, anger and confusion in myself and in my society by practicing a diet for myself and for my society. I understand that a proper diet is crucial for self-transformation and for the transformation of society. This is the fifth of the five mindfulness trainings. Do you make the vow to receive, study and practice it? Brothers and sisters, you have formally received

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the five wonderful mindfulness trainings which are the foundation of happiness in the family and in society. They are the basis for the aspiration to help others. We should recite the five mindfulness trainings often, at least once a month so that our understanding and practice of the five mindfulness trainings can grow deeper every day. Thank you. Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh

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The participants for the transmission of the 14 precepts are invited to present themselves in front of the three jewels. Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh Brothers and sisters, would the following names please present themselves

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in front of the three jewels. My Linh Phuong Bervely Alexander Mary Adelaide Hammerle Stephen Great Askew Harold Mark Chesney Le Thi Hanh Huyen Pritam Singh Jim Needles Cindy Cowlton

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Bill Woodall Sangha Kathmang for the transmission of the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings.

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Has the whole community assembled? The whole community has assembled. Is there harmony in the community? Yes, there is harmony. Why has the community assembled today? The community has assembled to perform the Sangha Karma of transmitting the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings of the Order of Interbeing. Noble community of Interbeing, today, September 6th, 1997, has been chosen as the day to transmit the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings. The community has assembled at the appointed time and is ready to transmit and receive the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings

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in the spirit of harmony. Thus, the transmission can proceed. Is that correct? It's correct. Brothers and sisters, the ordinees, please stand up and join your palms. Hearing the bell, after recitation of one line, please touch the earth deeply one time. In gratitude to the father and the mother who gave them birth, the ordinees bow deeply before the three jewels in the ten directions. In gratitude to the father and the mother who gave them birth, the ordinees bow deeply before the three jewels in the ten directions.

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In gratitude to their teachers who have shown them how to love and to understand and abide happily in the present moment, the ordinees bow deeply before the three jewels in the ten directions. Om Om In gratitude to friends who guide them on the path and offer support in difficult moments, the ordinees bow deeply before the three jewels in the ten directions. In gratitude to the father and the mother who guide them on the path

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and offer support in difficult moments, the ordinees bow deeply before the three jewels in the ten directions. Om In gratitude to all beings in the animal, vegetal and mineral realms, the ordinees bow deeply before the three jewels in the ten directions. In gratitude to all beings in the animal, vegetal and mineral realms, the ordinees bow deeply before the three jewels in the ten directions. Om Om

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Brothers and sisters, please kneel down with your palms joined. Om Today the community is there to give spiritual support to our brothers and sisters. At this solemn moment when they will undertake to receive and observe the mindfulness trainings of the Order of Interbeing and enter the core community of the Order of Interbeing. Brothers and sisters, please listen carefully. Following in the steps of the bodhisattvas, taking bodhisattvas as your teachers and companions on the path, you have made the aspiration to receive and observe the mindfulness trainings of the Order of Interbeing. You have given rise to the seed of bodhicitta, the mind of love. You have made the aspiration to develop this seed.

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Your own awakening and liberation, as well as the awakening and liberation of all other species, have now become your highest career. Brothers and sisters in the community, please establish your mindfulness, enjoy your breathing so that you may be truly present and give support to the seed of the mind of love in the ordinees. With your support, they will develop this seed solidly and courageously so that it will become indestructible. Ordinees, this is the solemn moment for receiving the 14 mindfulness trainings of the Order of Interbeing. Please listen carefully with a clear and concentrated mind to each mindfulness training as it is read and answer, yes, I do, clearly, every time you see that you have intention and capacity to receive,

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learn about and practice the mindfulness training which is read. Brothers and sisters, are you ready? Here is the first mindfulness training. Aware of the suffering caused by fanaticism and intolerance, we are determined not to be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory or ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist teachings are guiding means to help us learn to look deeply and to develop our understanding and compassion. They are not doctrines to fight, kill or die for. Now, this is the first mindfulness training. Do you make the vow to receive, study and practice it?

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Yes, I do. Please bow. Now, the second mindfulness training. Aware of the suffering caused by attachment to views and wrong perceptions, we are determined to avoid being narrow-minded and bound to present views. We shall learn and practice non-attachment from views in order to be open to others' insights and experiences. We are aware that the knowledge we presently possess is not changeless, absolute truth. Truth is found in life and we will observe life within and around us in every moment,

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ready to learn throughout our lives. This is the second of the fourteen mindfulness trainings. Do you make the vow to receive, study and practice it? Yes, I do. Please bow. The third mindfulness training. Aware of the suffering brought about when we impose our views on others, we are committed not to force others, even our children, by any means whatsoever, such as authority, threat, money, propaganda or indoctrination to adopt our views. We will respect the right of others to be different

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and to choose what to believe and how to decide. We will, however, help others renounce fanaticism and narrowness through compassionate dialogue. This is the third of the fourteen mindfulness trainings. Do you make the vow to receive, study and practice it? Yes, I do. Please bow. The fourth mindfulness training. Aware that looking deeply at the nature of suffering can help us develop compassion and find ways out of suffering. We are determined not to avoid or close our eyes before suffering. We are committed to finding ways, including personal contact, images and sounds,

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to be with those who suffer, so we can understand their situation deeply and help them transform their suffering into compassion, peace and joy. This is the fourth of the fourteen mindfulness trainings. Do you make the vow to receive, study and practice it? Yes, we do. The fifth mindfulness training. Aware that true happiness is rooted in peace, solidity, freedom and compassion, and not in wealth or fame. We are determined not to take as the aim of our life fame, profit, wealth or sensual pleasure,

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nor to accumulate wealth while millions are hungry and dying. We are committed to living simply and sharing our time, energy and material resources with those in need. We will practice mindful consuming, not using alcohol, drugs or any other products that bring toxins into our own and the collective body and consciousness. This is the fifth of the fourteen mindfulness trainings. Do you make the vow to receive, study and practice it? Yes, we do. The sixth mindfulness training. Aware that anger blocks communication and creates suffering,

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we are determined to take care of the energy of anger when it arises and to recognize and transform the seeds of anger that lie deep in our consciousness. When anger comes up, we are determined not to do or say anything, but to practice mindful breathing or mindful walking and acknowledge, embrace and look deeply into our anger. We will learn to look with the eyes of compassion at those we think are the cause of our anger. This is the sixth of the fourteen mindfulness trainings. Do you make the vow to receive, study and practice it? Yes, we do. Om Om

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The seventh mindfulness training. Aware that life is available only in the present moment and that it is possible to live happily in the here and now, we are committed to training ourselves to live deeply each moment of daily life. We will try not to lose ourselves in dispersion or be carried away by regrets about the past, worries about the future or craving, anger, jealousy in the present. We will practice mindful breathing to come back to what is happening in the present moment. We are determined to learn the art of mindful living by touching the wondrous, refreshing and healing elements that are inside and around us and by nourishing seeds of joy, peace, love and understanding in ourselves,

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thus facilitating the work of transformation and healing in our consciousness. This is the seventh of the fourteen mindfulness trainings. Do you make the vow to receive, study and practice it? Yes, I do. Om Om Om The eighth mindfulness training. Aware that the lack of communication always brings separation and suffering, we are committed to training ourselves in the practice of compassionate listening and loving speech. We will learn to listen deeply without judging or reacting and refrain from uttering words that can cause discord or cause the community to break.

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We will make every effort to keep communications open and to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small. This is the eighth of the fourteen mindfulness trainings. Do you make the vow to receive, study and practice it? Yes, I do. Om Om The ninth mindfulness training. Aware that words can create suffering or happiness, we are committed to learning to speak truthfully and constructively using only words that inspire hope and confidence. We are determined not to say untruthful things for the sake of personal interest or to impress people,

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nor to utter words that might cause division or hatred. We will not spread news that we do not know to be certain, nor criticize or condemn things of which we are not sure. We will do our best to speak out about situations of injustice, even when doing so may threaten our safety. This is the ninth of the fourteen mindfulness trainings. Do you make the vow to receive, study and practice it? Yes, I do. Om Om The tenth mindfulness training. Aware that the essence and aim of a Sangha is the practice of understanding and compassion,

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we are determined not to use the Buddhist community for personal gain or profit, or transform our community into a political instrument. A spiritual community should, however, take a clear stand against oppression and injustice and should strive to change the situation without engaging in partisan conflicts. This is the tenth of the fourteen mindfulness trainings. Do you make the vow to receive, study and practice it? Yes, I do. Om Om The eleventh mindfulness training. Aware that great violence and injustice have been done to our environment and society,

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we are committed not to live with a vocation that is harmful to humans and nature. We will do our best to select a livelihood that helps realize our ideal of understanding and compassion. Aware of global economic, political and social realities we will behave responsibly as consumers and as citizens, not investing in companies that deprive others of their chance to live. This is the eleventh of the fourteen mindfulness trainings. Do you make the vow to receive, study and practice it? Yes, I do. Om Om The twelfth mindfulness training. Aware that much suffering is caused by war and conflict,

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we are determined to cultivate non-violence, understanding and compassion in our daily lives, to promote peace education, mindful meditation and mindful mediation, reconciliation within families, communities, nations and in the world. We are determined not to kill and not to let others kill. We will diligently practice deep looking with our sangha to discover better ways to protect life and prevent war. This is the twelfth of the fourteen mindfulness trainings. Do you make the vow to receive, study and practice it? Yes, I do. Om The thirteenth mindfulness training.

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Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing and oppression, we are committed to cultivating loving kindness and learning ways to work for the well-being of people, animals, plants and minerals. We will practice generosity by sharing our time, energy and material resources with those who are in need. We are determined not to steal and not to possess anything that should belong to others. We will respect the property of others but will try to prevent others from profiting from human suffering or from the suffering of other beings. This is the thirteenth of the fourteen mindfulness trainings. Do you make the vow to receive, study and practice it? Yes, I do. Om This is the fourteenth mindfulness training.

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Aware that sexual relations motivated by craving cannot dissipate the feeling of loneliness but will create more suffering, frustration and isolation. We are determined not to engage in sexual relations without mutual understanding, love and a long-term commitment. In sexual relations, we must be aware of future suffering that may be caused. We know that to preserve the happiness of ourselves and others, we must respect the rights and commitments of ourselves and others. We will do everything in our power to protect children from sexual abuse and to protect couples and families from being broken by sexual misconduct. We will treat our bodies with respect and preserve our vital energies, sexual, breath, spirit for the realization of our bodhisattva ideal.

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We will be fully aware of the responsibility of bringing new life into the world. And we will meditate on the world into which we are bringing new beings. This is the fourteenth of the fourteen mindfulness trainings. Do you make the vow to receive, study and practice it? Yes, I do. I do. Brothers and sisters, you have received the fourteen mindfulness trainings of the Order of Interbeing. You have taken your first step on the path of the bodhisattvas, the path of great understanding of Bodhisattva Manjushri, which puts an end to countless wrong perceptions, prejudice and discrimination.

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The path of great compassion of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara who loves, values and protects the life of all species and listens deeply to the cries of all species, far and near, in order to help. The path of great action by Bodhisattva Samantabhadra who takes every opportunity to create love, understanding and harmony in the world. Brothers and sisters in the community, with one heart, we give our spiritual support to the ordinees in the present moment to help them now and in the future. Brothers and sisters, the buddhas and bodhisattvas will be with you on your path of practice. When you hear the sound of the bell, please stand up and bow deeply three times to show your gratitude to the three jewels.

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Noble community, please concentrate your mind in order to recite the name of bodhisattvas so that the mindfulness trainings body of the ordinees may be courageous, strong and endure. Bell Bell Bell

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Bell [...]

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Bell [...] Please sit down. Certificate of ordination, the great way of reality is our true nature's pure ocean. The source of mind penetrates everywhere. From the roots of virtue springs the practice of compassion, precepts, concentration and insight, the nature and function of all three are one.

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The fruit of transcendent wisdom can be realized by being wonderfully together. Maintain and transmit the wonderful principle in order to reveal the true teaching. For the realization of true emptiness to be possible, wisdom and action must go together. This is to certify that Mai Linh Phuong has been ordained as a member of the core community of the Order of Interbeing. She belongs to the 43rd generation of the Lamte school and the 9th generation of the Liu Quan Dharma line. Teenage name, Jade, due of the source, and Dharma name, Cheng Thanh Lo, true holy path. The ordination was conducted on the 6th day of September in the year 1997 in Santa Barbara by Dhyana Master Trung Quang Nhat Hanh of the 42nd generation of the Lamte Dhyana school.

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Thank you. Beverly Alexander, Teenage name, courageous turning of the heart, Dharma name, Cheng Thanh Lo, truly holy insight. Mary Adele Humbley, Teenage name, clear friend of the heart, Dharma name, Cheng Thanh Nguyen, true holy view. Stephan Gray asks you,

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Teenage name, steadfast clarity of the heart, Dharma name, Cheng Thanh Nhan, true eyes of goodness. Harold Maksasne, Teenage name, fearless vow of the source, Dharma name, Cheng Thanh Nguyen, true holy source. Le Thi Hanh Huyen, Teenage name, steadfast clarity of the heart,

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Dharma name, Cheng Thanh Nhan, true holy mindfulness. Pritam Singh, Teenage name, heart of great concentration, Dharma name, Cheng Thanh Thanh, true Sangha body. Jim Needles, Teenage name, deep joy of the source, Dharma name, Cheng Thanh Tru,

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true holy dwelling. Bill Woodall, Teenage name, true healing of the source, Dharma name, Cheng Thanh Tam, true holy heart. The ordination was conducted on the 6th day of September in the year 1997 in Santa Barbara, California, USA by Dhyana Master Trung Quang Nhat Hanh of the 42nd generation of the Lamte Dhyana School. Transmitting the mindfulness trainings,

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practicing the way of awareness gives rise to benefits without limit. We vow to share the fruits of all beings. We vow to offer tribute to our parents, our teachers, our friends, and numerous beings who give guidance and support along the path. We vow to share the fruits of all beings. We vow to offer tribute to our parents, our teachers, our friends, and numerous beings who give guidance

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and support along the path. Om Om Om

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Om [...]

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