Samples of Satsang Rules and Vows for Novices

 

Below are some extracts of rules for novices. The reader will notice that the rules and vows are simplified versions of deeper Wayist teaching. These rules form the basis of many months of study in Wayism. Seniors in satsang revisit the rules and continually refer to them in classes and further teaching. It takes considerable effort for some novices (especially ESL students) to master an understanding of, and commitment to memory of the rules. The deeper meaning of the rules and vows, and their philosophical implications on life in general become clearer to students with the passing of time.

It is important for the casual observer and uninitiated readers to reserve judgement on the rules because the simple sentences may seem final and complete but are only mnemonic devices for the extrapolated contextual meaning thereof.

 

The vow upon entry to the Satsang

 

· I put behind me the old way of life.

· I put behind me the old way of thinking about things.

· I seek freedom from culturally conditioned thinking.

· I seek renewal of mind.

· I embrace the flow of the Way to take me on a journey into the mysteries and secrets of true Reality.

· I accept the embrace of Lord Avalokitesvara and trust that he will hold me close.

· I accept the embrace of the satsang and vow to serve it with all my might and I pray that should I stray that I be disciplined and showed the right way.

 

I renounce

 

· I renounce pride and self-importance

· I renounce self-interest

· I renounce arrogance

· I renounce culturally conditioned thinking

· I renounce desires and demand of body-mind and endeavour to put that under control of soul-mind

· I renounce individualism

· I renounce taking anything that does not belong to me

· I renounce ownership of material things

· I renounce receiving personal gifts

· I renounce idle talk

· I renounce harmful talk

· I renounce deceitful talk

· I renounce physical contact of a sexual nature

· I renounce soliciting sexual attention

· I renounce eating outside of the regulated times

· I renounce eating in secret

· I renounce eating when not necessary

· I renounce keeping anything for private use except for reasons of personal hygiene and the welfare of the community

· I renounce moving about alone, without accompaniment of a designated peer for whatever reason

· I renounce sloth and laziness

· I renounce unseemliness

· I renounce vulgarity

· I renounce loud behaviour

· I renounce uncleanliness of mind, body and soul

· I renounce hurtful conduct and hurtful words

· I renounce any actions and thoughts that would cause the satsang to be in discord

· I renounce contaminated company

· I renounce contaminated food

· I renounce contaminated thoughts

 

I embrace

 

· I embrace the Lord Avalokitesvara and his bodhisattva close to my heart

· I embrace the Way and I step into the stream that flows to Heaven

· I embrace the presence of Dakini, Apsara, Shakini, Kakini, Kamini and angels all around me

· I embrace my neighbours, the plants and bugs, animals and people, creatures seen and unseen.

· I embrace the satsang and vow obedience to the directives

· I embrace the teaching

· I embrace humility

· I embrace simplicity

· I embrace compassion

· I embrace owning the void (nothingness)

· I embrace Wayist wisdom

· I embrace training of this body-mind to be inquisitive and questioning

· I embrace talk that is uplifting and healing

· I embrace company that is healing and spiritually uplifting

· I embrace communal possessions

· I embrace impeccable conduct at all time

· I embrace sharing with those less fortunate than I

· I embrace using only as little of anything as I need for that moment, keeping in mind that others may be in need as well

· I embrace contact with people that may never be looked upon in a sexual manner

· I embrace gifts to the satsang

· I embrace sharing everything with the satsang

· I embrace positive thoughts for thoughts are create energy

The three bodies

· I embrace healthful food and environment for this body

· I embrace healthful food and environment for this body-mind

· I embrace healthful food and environment for the real me, the soul

· I embrace healthful food and environment for the real mind, the soul-mind

· I embrace healthful nurture and environment for my spirit

· I embrace healthful food and environment for my spiritual-mind

 

Training the Body

 

· I appreciate the loan of this body to be a vehicle for me to learn. I will take care of it as it is a gift from the Divine. I will keep it clean, healthy and in good working condition to best serve my schooling in this life. When this body has served its purpose I will return it to the Way to be recycled for nurture of many living beings.

· I will exhibit this body as an outward token of the Divine spirit inside. I will care for its healing, feed it healthy foods and irrigate it well with clean water, I will make it look neat and tidy and presentable at all times.

· I will embrace this body as an aging and dying being that has but a short time on Earth. I will cherish it in youth, in old age, in strength and weakness and be a good companion to it even in sickness.

· I will keep the hair of this body cropped neat or tied in a neat bun on its head.

· I will not spoil the senses of this body vehicle for my soul with perfumed washes and lotions, detergents and chemicals.

· I embrace the sensuality and beauty of this body that is a gift from the Divine to serve me, the soul, and I vow to not neglect it and not let it go to waste, and not put it to use for spiritually unprofitable things.

· I learn to repurpose the energies and desire demands of this body for soul growth and spiritual food.

· I embrace the inner spirit held dearly in my soul and put this body to use for its growth and learning.

· I vow to feed my spirit with wisdom, for it to grow to a glorious rebirth in heaven where I will live forever with our Lord, the bodhisattvas and saints and family who await me.

 

Robes Meditation

 

"I wear these robes to care for this body that I borrowed from the Divine, to avoid cold, to avoid heat, to prevent the bites of insects, to shelter from wind and sun. If ever these robes become a source of envy or arrogance, and an impediment to my soul, better I must discard it and go naked than my soul burn in"