Dave O'Neal's Precepts Responses

This past Sunday, a group of teachers from Boundless Way traveled to visit Dave O'Neal and his husband Eric for a special precepts ceremony, called "jukai" in Japanese. Dave had spent last year sewing his rakusu, the ceremonial "bib" that signifies his entry into the great way of Zen Buddhism, and had planned to take the precepts last December, but had to cancel at the last minute when he came down with a virus. And then, life turned upside down for him...he and Eric went to Colorado, and Dave had a serious stroke. As he has continued healing, some of us who have been visiting him cooked up a plan to have a private ceremony with Dave, Eric, and a good friend of theirs, the Unitarian minister Rev. Carl Scovel. Carl took this photo, which includes Josh Bartok, Roshi; Kate Hartland Sensei; Dharma Holder Rev. Bob Waldinger; Dave; Eric; me; and David Rynick, Roshi. During the ceremony, jukai candidates are asked to provide personal responses to each of the 16 Bodhisattva precepts. We were all so touched by Dave's responses, and I asked permission to share them here. Dave's responses follow each of the precepts in bold.

Refuges

I take refuge in the Buddha, in Oneness, the awakened nature of all beings.

I take refuge in the enlightenment that surrounds us, and aspire to recognize it everywhere, in everyone, in everything, and
outside of things.

I take refuge in the Dharma, in Diversity, the ocean of wisdom and compassion.

I take refuge in the teachings that surround me, and, when I’m overwhelmed by them, to miss as few of them as I can.

I take refuge in the Sangha, in Harmony, the interdependence of all.

I take refuge in all beings and vow to be ready for all beings to take refuge in me.

Vows

Not knowing, thereby giving up fixed ideas about myself and the universe, I vow to cease from evil.

I vow to be grateful whenever I’m able to see greed, hatred, and ignorance arise, with the hope that in that seeing evil
may cease.

Bearing witness to the joy and suffering of the world, I vow to practice good.

I vow to practice good in a way that goes unnoticed.

Honoring wholeness in myself and others, I vow to save all beings.

I vow to save all beings, and to allow myself to be saved by all beings.

Precepts

1. Recognizing that I am not separate from all that is, I vow to take up the Way of Not Killing.

I vow to remember the truth of nonseparation from which non-killing naturally arises.

2. Being satisfied with what I have, I vow to take up the Way of Not Stealing.

May awareness of the lack of separation between any of us reveal the absurdity of the whole idea of taking something
not given.

3. Honoring mutuality and respecting commitment, I vow to take up the Way of Not Misusing Sex.

I vow to be aware of the misuse of sex in the most subtle ways it manifests, and in doing so, not to miss the really
obvious ways.

4. Listening and speaking from the heart, I vow to take up the Way of Not Speaking Falsely.

I vow to strive to let my words be true and to let my silence also be true.

5. Cultivating a mind that sees clearly, I vow to take up the Way of Not Intoxicating Mind and Body.

I vow to be aware of the small and subtle ways that mind and body are subject to intoxication, and in doing so,
not to ignore the big and obvious ways.

6. Unconditionally accepting what each moment has to offer, I vow to take up the Way of Not Finding Fault with Others.

I also vow to repent of whenever I’ve found fault with anyone, any time the memory of it by grace arises.

7. Meeting others on equal ground, I vow to take up the Way of Not Elevating Myself at the Expense of Others.

I vow to remember that we’re all on equal ground already, and that any thought I’ve had otherwise has been foolishness.

8. Using all the ingredients of my life, I vow to take up the Way of Not Sparing the Dharma Assets.

Conscious of the great wealth of the dharma, and the incredible good fortune to be able to hear and practice it, I vow
not to keep it to myself.

9. Transforming suffering into wisdom, I vow to take up the Way of Not Harboring III Will.

I vow to be inhospitable to ill will whenever I recognize it. And when I discover it’s snuck in and taken up residence,
to kindly evict it.

10. Honoring my life as an instrument of the Great Way, I vow to take up the Way of Not Defaming the Three Treasures.

In order to take up the way of not defaming the Three Treasures, I vow to aspire to speak ill of no person or thing.