Code of Behaviour

Learning to practice Anapana meditation is very valuable because it helps you become a better person. Practicing Anapana meditation will help you train your mind to become calm and concentrated. This will make your mind strong, so that you will be able to avoid doing or saying things that are hurtful or harmful to yourself and to others. This strength of mind will help you feel happier and more peaceful. Practicing Anapana and learning to concentrate will help you become the master of your mind.

To help you succeed in practicing Anapana meditation it is important that you do your best to follow the instructions that you will be given during the course. While you are at the course, it is also important that you agree to follow the Code of Behaviour written below. In the same way that a house needs a good foundation to support it, so does the practice of Anapana. This good foundation for Anapana is built by following the Code of Behaviour. It will help you avoid performing actions that are harmful or hurtful to yourself and others.

During the first meditation session at the course you will be asked to repeat the following five vows or precepts. These are written in bold with an explanation underneath each.

Please read them carefully so that you will understand what you are saying when the time comes:

1. I shall abstain from killing.

I promise to try to treat all beings kindly and not kill them or harm them in any way.

2. I shall abstain from stealing.

I promise to take only what is given to me and not take anything which belongs to others without permission.

3. I shall abstain from a life of misconduct.

I promise to treat other boys and girls as if they were my brothers or sisters or best friends.

4. I shall abstain from speaking lies, harsh words, backbiting, etc. which will harm others.

I promise to speak truthfully, kindly and gently, and not to tell lies or to say hurtful things to anybody or about anybody.

5. I shall abstain from taking any intoxicant.

I promise not to take any alcohol, drugs or intoxicants, but to keep my mind clear.

I promise to do my best to follow the instructions that I will be given during the course.

At the bottom of your application form, when you sign your name, it means that you agree to try and follow this Code of Behaviour at the best of your ability while at the course.