The Ten Zen Precepts: Guidelines for Cultivating Moral Intelligence

by Geoff Dawson

Zen Buddhism is best known for its cultivation of spiritual insight, rigorous practice of sitting meditation and mindful simplicity in every-day life. What is less known about Zen is its ethical foundation, its roots deep in the Buddha’s teachings of non-harm and generosity of spirit.

These teachings are the ten precepts. They are not commandments, or moral absolutes, but guidelines on how to cultivate good character, to conduct our lives with better wisdom and compassion.

Geoff Dawson is one of the founders of Zen Buddhism in Australia, as well as a founder of the Australian Association of Buddhist Counsellors and Psychotherapists. He is the teacher at the Ordinary Mind Zen School in Sydney.

A lifetime of Zen practice, woven together with vast clinical experience as a psychologist and family therapist, has given rise to this book that explains Zen ethics in a manner that speaks to our contemporary life and times.

206 pages, Paperback

Published November 12, 2024

Reviews

[Kane Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had the pleasure of meeting Geoff before and, knowing that this book was being written, I was particularly interested in reading it. It met and exceeded my expectations. Geoff possesses a level of wisdom that only several decades of introspection combined with his career as a psychologist can provide. Highly recommend to those interested in exploring this topic further.