Pamsula Zen of Westchester

Bodhisattva Aspirations and Ethical Commitments

Aware of our intimate connection to all that is, we aspire to cultivate compassion and protect life.

Aware of the suffering caused by stealing and injustice, we aspire to cultivate lovingkindness for the benefit of all beings, neither stealing nor profiting from suffering.

Aware of the suffering caused by sexual misconduct, we aspire to cultivate responsibility in our relationships with others, honoring their dignity, integrity, and autonomy.

Aware of the suffering caused by harmful speech, we aspire to cultivate truthful and compassionate speech, avoiding speech that entails lying, gossiping, cruelty, or abuse.

 Aware of the suffering caused by mindless consumption, we aspire to cultivate awareness when buying and consuming, cultivating modest desire and consuming only that which preserves mental clarity.

 Aware of the suffering caused by talking about the faults of others, we aspire to recognize, respect, and value the unique beauty of each being.

 Aware of the suffering caused by elevating ourselves by criticizing others we aspire to understand and respect our mutual interdependence.

 Aware of the suffering caused by stinginess, we aspire to cultivate generosity in giving of our time and our material and spiritual resources.

 Aware of the suffering caused by anger, we aspire to cultivate tranquility and equanimity, neither repressing nor indulging anger but mindfully caring for it when it arises.

We are committed to a culture of solidarity and justice; a culture of acceptance and a life based on truthfulness; a culture of equality and partnership among all people; and to actualizing our bodhisattva vows in the relative world.

We aspire to fearlessly open our hearts to suffering, oppression, and injustice and to embody the ideals of mutuality, interdependence, and democratic process.

We acknowledge the reality of not-knowing, even as we act in urgent service to all beings.