This past Saturday, members of Treetop Zen Center – those of us not off in the woods for the weekend-long Deep Ecology retreat, that is – observed Fusatsu, or precept renewal. Each month, on the first Saturday, Treetop completes this special service, during which Zen students renew their commitment to practicing the Sixteen Bodhisattva Precepts. In addition, each month Treetop examines one of the precepts in greater depth and discuss each student’s understanding of the precept and practice of it.

The precept for March is “I vow to take up the way of Not Killing.”

This precept has also been expressed thusly by two of our most revered patriarchs:

Bodhidharma – “Self-nature is subtle and mysterious. In the realm of the everlasting Dharma, not giving rise to the ideal of killing is called the Precept of Not Killing.”

Dogen Zenji – “The Buddha seed grows in accordance with not taking life. Transmit the life of Buddha’s wisdom and do not kill.”

Where are you in your understanding and practice of taking up the “Way of Not Killing”?

Share your thoughts in the comments.