The instructions are so simple: Avoid evil and do good. Why can’t we just write that in large letters over our beds and make sure we read it before we put our feet on the floor each morning? Then, as Zen Master Seung Sahn says, “just do it”? Avoid evil and do good, moment to moment to moment.

The precepts spell out the major hindrances. It’s so obvious what these hindrances are and so helpful to be reminded of them. Read them and be honest with yourself; ask yourself to deepen your understanding of what it means to not take what is not given. What does it mean when it says to always tell the truth? Did we “kill” anything today? Were we destructive? How intimately familiar can we become with the precepts so that we can put our feet on the floor in the morning and not have to think of dichotomies such as good and evil? The precepts become, “How may I help you?”

As our practice matures, as we shed our accumulated fears and mistrust, we do realize that being compassionately awake is our natural state. We can take the sign off our bedroom wall and give it to a brother or sister who might still need the reminder.

As members of our Zen Center and of our larger sangha, we recognize and support each others’ efforts. When we make our direction and vow clear together, we not only help each other, we also inspire our extended community around the world.

~Zen Master Soeng Hyang, School Zen Master

Find out more about taking precepts in the Americas region.
To take precepts in Europe, please contact your local Zen center or group. 
To take precepts in Asia, please contact your local Zen center or group.