The sixteen bodhisattva precepts are a set of vows of ethical conduct taken many times in a Zen practitioner’s life. They derive originally from the vinaya, monastic vows taken on ordination during the Buddha’s time (250 precepts for monks, 348 for nuns). Lay people took only the first five vows. The bodhisattva precepts used in the Mahayana tradition emphasize conduct to benefit others, and are taken by both monastic and lay practitioners. The short set of sixteen precepts we use in our tradition were formulated by Dogen Zenji, the founder of Soto Zen in Japan. They form the basis of several ceremonies: jukai (receiving the precepts), priest ordination, marriage and funeral. Many Zen centers chant the precepts once a month on the full moon, in a ceremony of reflection, repentance and renewal.
The precepts are inexhaustible mindfulness practices. They are also lifetime koans. Norman’s approach to the precepts is warm and down-to-earth, but also spacious and insightful. He helps us to apply the vivid moment-to-moment awareness of our zazen practice in our daily life of work, family and relationships.
See also: Suzuki Roshi Dharma Talks on Precepts, Dharma Talks Blog, compiled by Korin Charlie Pokorny, San Francisco Zen Center.
THE SIXTEEN BODHISATTVA PRECEPTS
Norman Fischer’s version
The Threefold Refuges
I take refuge in Buddha (the principle of enlightenment within).
I take refuge in dharma (the enlightened way of understanding and living).
I take refuge in sangha (the community of beings).
Pure Precepts
I vow to avoid all action that creates suffering
I vow to do all action that creates true happiness.
I vow to act with others always in mind.
Grave Precepts
Not to kill but to nurture life.
Not to steal but to receive what is offered as a gift.
Not to misuse sexuality but to be caring and faithful in intimate relationships.
Not to lie but to be truthful.
Not to intoxicate with substances or doctrines but to promote clarity and awareness.
Not to speak of others’ faults but to speak out of loving-kindness.
Not to praise self at the expense of others but to be modest.
Not to be possessive of anything but to be generous.
Not to harbor anger but to forgive.
Not to do anything to diminish the Triple Treasure but to support and nurture it.
(For additional versions of the precepts, please see 3 Versions of Zen Precepts.)
Study Guide
Please note: we are currently the process of editing and properly categorizing our teachings library. The teachings will become available here in the study guide as soon as they’re ready, please check back soon.
1. Being Upright: Zen Meditation and the Bodhisattva Precepts
By Reb Anderson | 2000 | ISBN 1930485018
“‘Being Upright’…takes us beyond the conventional interpretation of ethical precepts to the ultimate meaning that informs them.”
2. The Mind of Clover: Essays in Zen Buddhist Ethics
By Robert Aitken | 1984 | ISBN 0865471584
Robert Aiken Roshi’s clear, insightful discussion of the complexities of Zen ethics, as they relate to personal and social action.
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3. Taking Our Places: The Buddhist Path to Truly Growing Up
By Norman Fischer | 2004 | ISBN 0060587199
Taking Our Places: the Buddhist Path to Truly Growing Up, is a book about spiritual practice as a journey toward true human maturity based on mentoring work Norman did with a group of four boys on the cusp of adulthood. Taking Our Places discusses the practices and the values that can deepen our lives as we grow. It includes chapters on meditation, listening, suffering, and ethical conduct.
4. Waking Up to What You Do | A Zen Practice for Meeting Every Situation with Intelligence and Compassion
By Diane Rizzetto | 2006 | ISBN 1590303423
A down to earth discussion by a Zen teacher who is also a mother and a psychologist.
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James Flaherty, Jaune Evans, Mary Ann Sacksteder and John Murray give closing statements for the Precepts Class 2022/3 series Talk 18.
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James Flaherty and Jaune Evans give the seventeenth talk of the precepts class on "I vow to cherish and polish the three treasures."
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John Murray and James Flaherty give the sixteenth talk of the precepts class on "I vow to practice forgiveness, not to harbor anger."
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Mary Ann Sacksteder and James Flaherty give the fifteen talk of the precepts class on "I show to practice generosity and not possessiveness."
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Mary Ann Sacksteder and John Murray give the fourteenth talk of the precepts class on "I vow to practice modesty, not to praise self at the expense of others.
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https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Precepts-2022_3-Talk-13-I-vow-to-speak-kindly-not-to-speak-ill-of-others-Jaune-Evans-and-James-Flaherty.mp3 Jaune Evans and James Flaherty give the thirteenth talk of the precepts class on "I vow to speak kindly, not to speak ill of others."
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John Murray and James Flaherty give the twelfth talk of the precepts class on "I vow to remain clear, not to Intoxicate self or others."
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Jaune Evans and John Murray give the tenth talk of the precepts class on "I vow to respect others, not to misuse sexuality."
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Mary Ann Sachterer and Jaune Evans give the eleventh talk of the precepts class on "I vow to be truthful, not to lie."
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Mary Ann Sacksteder and James Flaherty give the ninth precept classs on "I vow to receive gifts, not to steal." Part 1: Mary Ann Sachterer Part 2: James Flaherty
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Mary Ann Sachsteder and Jaune Evans give the eighth precept class on "I vow to nurture or protect life, not to kill."
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James Flaherty and John Murray give the seventh precepts class on "I Vow to Live for the Benefit of All Beings."
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Mary Ann Sacksteder and James Flaherty give the sixth precept class talk on "I vow to do All Actions the Lead to Happiness."
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John Murray and Jaune Evans give the fifth talk of the Precepts Class 2022/3 on " I vow to avoid all actions that cause suffering,"
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John Murray and Marry Ann Sacksteder give the fourth talk of the Precepts Class 2022/3 on I Take Refuge in Sangha.
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Jaune Evans and James Flaherty give the third talk on the Precepts 2022/3 series on "I take Refuge in Dharma."
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Mary Ann Sacksteder and James Flaherty give the second talk on the Precepts 2022/3 series on "I take Refuge in Buddha."
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Jaune Evans and John Murray give a talk on the Introduction to the Precepts beginning the 2022/3 Everyday Zen Precepts Class.
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Norman gives the tenth and final talk of "The Hidden Lamp: Stories from Twenty-Five Centuries of Awakened Women" on Uppalavana and Precepts to the EDZ July All Day Sitting.
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Norman gives the tenth and final talk of "The Hidden Lamp: Stories from Twenty-Five Centuries of Awakened Women" on Uppalavana and Precepts to the EDZ July All Day Sitting.
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Norman gives his fourth talk on the Six Paramitas 2015 series to the Dharma Seminar. In this talk Norman speaks on Sila Paramita - moral and ethical conduct. Norman will
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First of two part series on the History of Precepts. Norman first gave this talk at the Dharma Seminar on April 1, but the recording did not take. This talk
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