White bead—Vairochana Buddha
"May my meditation turn the Wheel of the Dharma."

Blue bead—Akshobhya Buddha
"May the Earth bear witness to my meditation."

Yellow bead—Ratnasambhava Buddha
"May my meditation benefit all beings."

Red bead—Amitabha Buddha
"May my meditation be centered in the heart."

Dhamman saranam gochami
I take refuge in the Dharma.
  The gates of the Dharma are manifold, I vow to enter them all. The goal of wisdom is ever beyond, I shall attain it.

Sangham saranam gochami
I take refuge in the Sangha.
  In the spirit of universal brotherhood and sisterhood and as a member of the Sangha, I pledge myself to strive for the enlightenment of all beings.

The First Noble Truth
All beings are subject to suffering (dukkha). No one escapes ... suffering is universal.

The Second Noble Truth
The cause (samudaya) of suffering is ignorance. And the ignorance of oneself is the greatest ignorance.

The Third Noble Truth
Ignorance, the cause of suffering, can be overcome (nirodha).

The Fourth Noble Truth
The way to overcome ignorance is the Eightfold Path (magga).

The Eightfold Path (magga)

1.  RIGHT VIEWS
Right views means to keep ourselves free from prejudice, superstition, and delusion and to see correctly the true nature of life.

3.  RIGHT SPEECH
Right speech means to refrain from pointless and harmful talk ... to speak kindly and courteously to all.

4. RIGHT CONDUCT
Right conduct means to see that our deeds are peaceful, benevolent, compassionate and pure ­ to live the teachings every day.

5. RIGHT LIVELIHOOD
Right livelihood means to earn our living in such a way as to entail no evil consequences and to seek that employment to which we can devote our complete enthusiasm and devotion.

6. RIGHT EFFORT
Right effort means to direct our efforts continually to the overcoming of ignorance and craving desires.

7. RIGHT MINDFULNESS
Right mindfulness means to cherish good and pure thoughts, for all that we say and do arises from our thoughts.

8. RIGHT MEDITATION
Right meditation means to engage in a meditative practice that is suitable to our unique needs and abilities.

1. I understand that in the interdependent life of people, animals, plants, and the whole earth that all share in the taking and giving of life. However, I also understand that life is often taken without respect for the maintenance of the integrity, stability, and beauty of this great community of which we are part and partners. I therefore vow to cultivate compassion and learn ways to reduce the suffering caused by such unnecessary destruction of life.

2. Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing, and oppression, I vow to cultivate loving kindness and learn ways to work for the well-being of people, animals, plants, and the whole earth. I vow to practice generosity by sharing my time, energy, and material resources where there is real need. I am determined not to steal and not to possess anything that should belong to others, and I will seek to prevent others from profiting from suffering.

3. Aware of the suffering caused by engaging in sexual relations without love and long-term commitment, I vow to cultivate responsibility and learn ways to protect the safety and integrity of individuals, couples, families, and society. In order to preserve the happiness of myself and others, I am determined to respect my commitments and the commitments of others. I will seek to prevent couples and families from being broken by sexual misconduct.

4. Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen to others, I vow to cultivate loving speech and deep listening in order to bring joy and happiness to others and relieve others of their suffering. Knowing that words can create happiness or suffering, I vow 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 seek to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.

5. Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I vow to cultivate good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my family, and my society by practicing mindful eating, drinking, and consuming. I vow to ingest, either physically or mentally, only those things that preserve peace, well-being, and joy in my body, in my consciousness, and in the collective body and consciousness of people, animals, plants, and the whole earth. I am aware that to do otherwise is to betray my ancestors, my parents, my society, and future generations. I will work to transform violence, fear, anger, and confusion both for self-transformation and for the transformation of society.

Suggested Mantras

"Hridayam" (To the heart or essence)
"Om Mani Padme Hum" (Behold the Jewel in the Lotus)
"Du-Sa-Ni-Ma" (The initial syllables of Dukkha, samudaya, nirodha, and magga)
"Namo Kuan Shih Yin" (Homage to She who Hears the Cries of the World)

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