Stepping into Freedom: An Introduction to Buddhist Monastic Training

by Thich Nhat Hanh, Annabel Laity (Translation)

Have you ever wished for a simpler life or an opportunity to transform the stresses of the busyness and complexity of our fast-paced society? Stepping into Freedom offers us a look at Buddhist monastic life and shows us all ways to live simply, beautifully and happily while dwelling in the present moment. It is a book of guidelines, encouraging words, reminders, and poems for novice monks and nuns in the Buddhist tradition. Included are basic teachings on conscious breathing, sitting and walking meditation, and “mindful manners” that can help us reduce stress, lead a wholesome and happy life, and cultivate our mind of love, whether in a monastic society or in the larger society of the world. Thich Nhat Hanh has taught four generations of young monks and nuns in Vietnam and the West, as well as thousands of lay practitioners. In Vietnam he cofounded the An Quang Buddhist Institute and the Van Hanh Buddhist University. He has studied and taught at Columbia and Princeton Universities, and the Sorbonne.

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Zen, Nonfiction

168 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 1997

About the author

Thích Nhất Hạnh was a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, teacher, author, poet and peace activist who then lived in southwest France where he was in exile for many years. Born Nguyễn Xuân Bảo, Thích Nhất Hạnh joined a Zen (Vietnamese: Thiền) monastery at the age of 16, and studied Buddhism as a novitiate. Upon his ordination as a monk in 1949, he assumed the Dharma name Thích Nhất Hạnh. Thích is an honorary family name used by all Vietnamese monks and nuns, meaning that they are part of the Shakya (Shakyamuni Buddha) clan. He was often considered the most influential living figure in the lineage of Lâm Tế (Vietnamese Rinzai) Thiền, and perhaps also in Zen Buddhism as a whole.

Reviews

[Jamie Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one I will be learning from for years to come. I'm not the intended audience for this book, but I learned so much and there's a lot that I want to work on.

[Gavin Whyte · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful little book. It contains a chapter called Encouraging Words: Master Guishan, which is fantastic. A shorter version of it can be found on the following link. I’ve shared it with several people, and they’ve all said how it touched them in a profound way.

Enjoy.

https://saskiagriffiths.com/encouragi...

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

this text was written as a compilation of sources for buddhist monks and nuns in training. it's kind of a guidebook, in a way; only some parts of the text were written 4 centuries ago! i wanted to read it to educate myself on some of the practices that practitioners take very seriously. it's so intense! vowing to meditate every day, only eat with your community members, never have sex/drink/take drugs/read harmful literature (violent, sensual, etc). i'm so impressed by the ability of practicing monks and nuns to adhere to these principles; it's as if they are sacrificing their comfort for the rest of humanity. and not only sacrificing, but becoming mindful of every activity you engage in from the moment you wake up (brushing your teeth, going to the bathroom, eating, meditating, cleaning, etc). i can use some of these gathas (verses/hymns) created in order to be mindful of every part of your life. there doesn't seem to be a better way to experience the world!

my favorite portion of the book is: "encouraging words" by master guishan; "how can you sit around an dlet your life trickle away meaninglessly?" and "learn more every day" and "devote yourself to meditation" and most importantly, the poem he closes with, including phrases "the body is like a dream, the triple world is like a magic show, the past is no longer here, the future is quite uncertain..." these words were written for those young monks who find it difficult to go on, and need a set of encouraging statements to fuel their fire.

i also learned a little bit more about the importance of three bodies: buddha, dharma, and sangha; and how each should be fulfilled in distinct ways each and every day. my question now is, how can we consider these aspects of our practice/daily life if we're living a societal life? i'd like to read a text by a monk or nun who actually went through these practices and took note of how he/she felt during various stages of training/experience. it's on the horizon!

<3

[Jodie Lilley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by a couple of monks in TNH's Plum Village after expressing an interest in ordaining - but it was also advised against by others, and I can see why.

It's very much written as a handbook for novice monks and nuns and is worded strongly, in such a way that can easily be misinterpreted or discouraging for laypeople (at least sensitive ones like me :')) wanting to practice Buddhism outside of a monastery. It's an interesting insight into expectations of monastic life but I personally wouldn't recommend it to people that aren't novice monks or aren't 100% sure they want to ordain.

When I spoke to an elder Sister at the monastery about feeling dissuaded by this book, she laughed endlessly and told me it's not a book to read without proper guidance from a teacher because it doesn't teach the dharma doors for laypeople (outwardly it appears to condemn laypeople), of which there are plenty others, and plenty of other better-suited books by TNH to learn about them :) some better alternatives she suggested are Being Peace and Our Appointment With Life.

[Shelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even folks just taking temporary vows or who plan to live as a layperson in a monastic environment (such as Gampo Abbey in Nova Scotia, Canada) will find Stepping into Freedom: Rules of Monastic Practice for Novices a sweet and inspiring complement to your experience. And if you really are about to take your Novice vows, then it's a must-have; it will soothe your nerves with useful preparatory information, and help your heart fully embrace the joyfulness into which you are about to leap!

[Kenley Neufeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for the mindfulness practitioner, both monastic and lay. Simple guide for how to practicing mindfulness in our daily lives. I assign this book first to all new Order of Interbeing aspirants, especially if they live and practice nearby a monastery.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read if you're curious on how a novice monastic is to behave, and some of the basic teachings they can use with their practise. I enjoyed how Thich Nhat Hanh elaborated and explained some of the Fine Manners in his lovely style of writing, adding useful information to many of the points covered. The talk included at the end was great as well. The book is a handy guidebook to the Plum Village tradition, and a great reference for memorising Gatha's.

[Sokcheng · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first reading of this book, compiled of rules for the monks and nuns of Plumvillage. I have to say I didn't really absorb much, so just like most books of Thay's, it'll take a few more re-reads for the insights to manifest and I'm fine by that!

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful written book, about how to turn away from the rising tide, of hate and fear, and truly open your heart, and flow to the other shore.

[Conor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an interesting insight into the lives of Mahayana Buddhist monastic life. That’s what I came in looking for and it delivered ten fold. This is not the book to understand Buddhism or gain insight into your own personal spirituality. It does have really profound insights for non monastic insidiously but this is much more of a textbook explaining monastic life than a guide for spirituality.

[Alan Eyre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tho the emphasis on the Sangha and mentor was off putting, had some bits I liked.

[Liz Logan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book very much out of curiosity and although I wasn’t the intended audience I think I still got something out of it and would recommend it to anyone curious about Buddhism.

[Totochelamouche · Rating 3 out of 5]

I vow to offer joy to one person in the morning and help relieve the grief of one person in the afternoon. I vow to live simply and sanely, content with just a few possessions, and keep my body healthy. I vow to let go of all worries and anxiety in order to be light and free.

We will sit and listen without any prejudice. We will sit and listen without judging or reacting. We will sit and listen in order to understand. We will sit and listen so attentively that we will be able to hear what the other person is saying and also what has been left unsaid. We know that just by listening deeply we already alleviate a great deal of pain and suffering in the other person.

THE NINTH PRECEPT
On Being Vegetarian and Not Eating Apart from the Sangha
Aware of the need to maintain good health, to live in harmony with the Sangha, and to nourish compassion in my heart, I vow to be vegetarian for the whole of my life and not to eat apart fromo the Sangha except when I am sick.

There are three kinds of giving: material, Dharma, and non-fear. [...]Fearlessness is the third gift. You are free, not pushed around or bound by unwholesome desires. You understand no-birth and have no fear of death.

Awakening as a career
There are monks and nuns who think their career is their monastery or their position. There are others who are satisfied to publish scholarly books or have a Ph.D. Others feel that success is having a large temple where many people come. But these are not the aim of a true monk or nun. Bodhichitta has nothing to do with being a scholar, a famous teacher, or the abbot of a large monastery. The career of a monk or a nun is to transform suffering and arrive at deep understanding, great freedom, and true love.

Do not delay finding an enlightened master. Stay near friends of the highest quality.

Living with wise friends is like walking in the mist; your clothes will be permeated with moisture.

Your aim is not to become a Buddhist scholar unless it supports your practice. Besides Buddhism you can learn one of the ancient languages connected with Buddhist studies, such as Pali, Sanskrit, Chinese, or Tibetan. You can also study the fundamentals of applied psychology, general history, natural history, world civilization, or the history of religions. These subjects can help you understand more about Buddhism and later on help you teach Buddhism in a relevant way. Courses like engineering, dentistry, medicine and other worldly subjects can be beneficial for laypeople but only detract from the aim of a monk or a nun.

Breathing in,
I know I am angry.
Breathing out,
I know I must take care of my anger.

If you see that he is not practicing Mindful Manners, find skillful ways to remind him. Even if he has strong habit energies and is not yet capable of accepting your suggestions, do not give up. Practice patience. When someone points out your own weaknesses in the practice of Mindful Manners, join your palms in gratitude. Do not make excuses, change the subject, or compare your behavior with someone else's.

Refrain from cracking your knuckles or making other sounds that can disturb others.

Praising the Sangha
The Sangha jewel is infinitely precious, a field of merit where good seeds can be sown. The three robes and the bowl are symbols of freedom. Precepts, concentration, and insight support each other. The Sangha dwells in mindfulness day and night providing the foundation for us to realize the fruit of meditation.

Beauty is a heart that generates love and a mind that is open.

The sunshine and the water have brought about this luxurious vegetation. The rain of compassion and understanding can transform the dry desert into a vast fertile plain.

Waking up this morning, I smile.
Twenty-four brand new hours are before me.
I vow to live fully in each moment
and to look at beings with eyes of compassion.

Brushing my teeth and rinsing my mouth,
I vow to speak purely and lovingly,
When my mouth is fragrant with right speech,
a flower blooms in the garden of my heart.

[Thien Doan · Rating 3 out of 5]

In order to read this book, you going to need to know some background information on Buddhism. This book has not elaborated much how becoming free in the state mind. I wouldn't recommend reading this book yet until you get the idea of what Buddhism is. If you do know the background, you are going to enjoy yourself reading this book. This book shows the path of perspective of what enlighten or being self-awareness feels like. So far I rate this book a 3.
"Respecting your teacher and Senior Monk and Nuns"
I already know this stuff of what's its like. I know the role of Buddhism and I've been practicing it therefore, I know. So this is a real introduction of the basic of Buddhist Monastic Training. If you want to go training like these, read this book first, so you get the idea before entering a training that you are unfamiliar with.

[RayDavis · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome; life-changing

[Tim Desmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rules to live by.