Note: This blog is part of a series sharing the teachings of the Atisha's Lojong Root Verses on Training the Mind as shared by Jetsumna Tenzin Palmo in London May 28 & 29, 2016. These are not transcriptions of the lectures, rather a collection of her thoughts sewn together.
10. The Supreme ethical conduct is to pacify one’s mind
If our mind is peaceful, we will not seek to harm. The 5 precepts are sometimes understood as physical and verbal rules in to follow.
“The precepts act like a force to guard the garden of our heart so we can feel at peace without guilt or remorse.” ~ Jetsumna Tenzin Palmo
For reference, the 5 Precepts are:
- Abstain from harm
- Abstain from lying
- Abstain from stealing
- Abstain from misuse of sexual power
- Abstain from altering the mind
These naturally arise when the mind is quiet because they are laws of the heart.
What matters more than the action is the intention. Any movement of body and speech presupposes a thought, or mental action. Therefore, if our mind is more calm and clear, we can be more sure that our action is less ensnared.