Clouds in Water Zen Center
The Dewdrop Digest
Connecting Children, Youth and Sangha
Sunday, May 30, 2004
"With every intention, word and deed, I am creating the very world I live in. Every response I put forth has creative force to generate either connection or alienation. My prayer is that I will be awake enough and conscious enough to remember the incredible power I have in each moment to choose that which will best serve the life in me and in others."
- Rachelle Lamb, Awakening to the Life Within
May 30: Inter-being and the Precepts
Precept practice is part of every children's and youth class here at the Center. Most classes recite some version of the precepts at the opening of each class. Older classes rely on the precepts as guidelines for maintaining a peaceful and harmonious class environment. Each quarter, we spend at least one Sunday focused on precept practice, and periodically we focus on the precepts for an entire quarter.
The cornerstone of today's teaching is "Realizing
inter-being helps us to behave in wholesome ways, i.e., with kindness and truth." When we are in touch with the loving connectedness between ourselves and all beings, our natural flow of compassion for ourselves and all beings is released, and we are motivated to follow the precepts for living in harmony with all beings. Due to our deep and intimate connections with all beings, our actions and even thoughts effect others, in obvious and not-so-obvious ways
In class today:
Our stories, discussion and class environment will be dedicated to growing peace and harmony by precept practice. As an embodiment of
inter-being, we will be weaving with various materials.
YEAR END PICNIC
June 13 is the last day of Spring Quarter. Weather permitting, all classes, preschool on up, will attend a picnic at Mears Park, from 9am to 10:20 or 10:30 am. Children should meet here at the usual time and wear clothes suitable for the weather. We hope to also do some litter pick up as a service project. Please sign permission slips today. Thanks!!!!!!
THREE WONDERFUL PRECEPTS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN
(adapted from Thich Nhat Hanh for younger children at Clouds in Water Zen Center)
- Protect life.
- Act with generosity.
- Speak honestly and listen deeply.
FIVE WONDERFUL PRECEPTS
(adapted from Thich Nhat Hanh and others, as taught to children Clouds in Water Zen Center)
- Protect life.
All things are precious. I will protect people, animals, plants and minerals. I will treat them with love and respect.
- Act with generosity.
I will not take things that belong to others. I will share my own things as much as I can.
- Speak honestly and listen deeply.
I will speak the truth. I will be honest to others and to myself. I will be a friend who listens for the truth of others.
- Honor the body.
I will be loving and respectful of others and myself.
For Youth, could also include: I will keep my own promises in relationships and respect those of others.
- Keep a clear mind.
I will keep myself bright and clear. I will avoid things that cloud my mind.
HOME PRACTICE
As a family, or as individual family members, choose one precept to focus on each day or each week. At the end of the day, review what worked and what didn't work. Discuss how each of you felt before, during and after when you met your expectations for living according to the precept. Compare this with how you felt when you didn't meet your expectations.
Read the following aloud:
I am the caterpillar or the ant that the bird is looking for to eat, but I am also the bird that is looking for the caterpillar or the ant. I am the forest that is being cut down. I am the rivers and the air that are being polluted, and I am also the person who cuts down the forest and pollutes the rivers and the air. I see myself in all species, and I see all species in me.
? Thich Nhat Hanh in
Plum Village Chanting and Recitation Book
To Practice This Thought: Put aside the attitudes that separate you from all the rest of the world.
MAY THESE CHILDREN AND THIS WONDERFUL COMMUNITY
BE WELL, HAPPY AND PEACEFUL
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