Precepts

The precepts act as our common bond for this weekend they help us guide or body, speech and mind- the way we act.

They also help us to develop concentration- this is done by firstly remembering the precepts. 
We use the precepts to guard our selves against outward actions that are not helpful to co-operation and understanding. 


1)not harming anything – which can mean looking after one another.
An example of this thru the senses is that we see a rat, somehow we get the understanding that rats are not nice –so we want to kill them. So we can remember the precept at this point is my action going break a precept.

2)not to steal – which can also mean to be honest and share things.
I see somebody eating something that I like. I think that I would like one of those, do you ask the person or just take it or you know your friends like your sweets will share them with them.

3)no sexual misconduct- which can also mean be honest in a relationship, being kind to your friends.
In this area the senses can really overpower you. You see somebody you like you want them. Or somebody like a model/actor/pop star on the TV and you want that image because its attractive.

4) not lying- which can also mean speaking in a kind and receptive way.
You want to go shopping with your friends, your dad says you can’t go out until you’ve done your homework but you want to go out right now.- what will you say?

5) no drugs or alcohol- another way of saying is to keep your mind alert and mindful.
Your friends looks really happy and peaceful and they offer you a purple tablet that they say makes them happy- what do you do?

So you can see from this how the six senses can help us to distract our minds from the present moment- from what is happening now.

We will also take refuge in the triple gem – the buddha – which means to be fully awake, the dhamma- the ultimate truth and sangha – a body of people that use this way of understanding the way it is.

Tich nhat hanh - the sun my heart
"our senses are our windows to the outside world, and sometimes the wind blows and disturbs everything within us" p35

So looking  after the senses -in Buddhism is a form of nutriment.

It also a form renunciation - what are you willing to give up for

 the sake of our own well being?