Interbeing: Fourteen Guidelines for Engaged Buddhism

by Thich Nhat Hanh

Formulated during the Vietnam War, these ethical guidelines remain a penetrating expression of traditional Buddhist morality and how to come to terms with contemporary issues.

Interbeing offers a practical blueprint for living mindfully, one that has proven useful and meaningful to people from all walks of life. The book also includes a brief history, ceremonies, and the revised charter of the Order of Interbeing.

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Philosophy, Religion, Nonfiction, Zen, Meditation

78 pages, Paperback

First published May 3, 1987

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

[xenia · Rating 3 out of 5]

"We understand that no individual becomes enlightened; enlightenment is collective."

Written before, during and after the Vietnam war, this short, modest text fights against Buddhism as religious ritual (voided of social critique) and Buddhism as individualist insight (voided of interbeing). Such transformations will be obvious to anyone who's been to South Korea or the United States. In South Korea, the temples are, essentially, tourist traps that boost the economy. Buddhists eat meat and drive around in million dollar sports cars. In the United States, Zen self-help books can be found on every bookshelf. CEOs go on thousand dollar mindfulness retreats every few months.

This book, however, depicts mindfulness as a prefigurative politics. Insight exists, not as a palliative, but as a force to engender compassion, social engagement and consciousness raising, to the creation of a communal life without starvation, resentment, fear or sexual violence.

Additionally, it historically situates a number of Buddhist teachings, such as sexual abstinence, as arising out of conditions of mass starvation and war. Buddha was only a doomer because he lived in a catastrophic time, a stance increasingly adopted by us in relation to climate change.

Surely though, in recognising Buddhism as a historically contingent artefact, we should further deconstruct it to better serve our needs and desires?

[Nick Orvis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interbeing was not the book I was expecting it to be, though I found a lot of good insight in it nonetheless. The first two sections are a valuable foreword by Sister Chan Khong talking about the history of the Order of Interbeing and a brief series of chapters by Thich Nhat Hanh explaining the ideas that animate the Order. After that come the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings which form the core of the Order's teaching, with accompanying commentary. I really enjoyed these concise principles, and as always Thich Nhat Hanh's writing is rendered in beautifully compact, elegant, accessible prose.

After that, however, the book provides the charter of and scripts for the ceremonies conducted by the Order of Interbeing. The charter is a pretty typical document for such a group, though clearly tied to their philosophy; the ceremonies are primarily made up of recitations of the Fourteen Trainings (and in one case, the Five Mindfulness Trainings for all members, rather than the core ones). While these are interesting, they feel mostly like a repeat of the beginning chapters; after all, I'm not going to be conducting these ceremonies.

In the end, an engaging and helpful book, but not one that I would suggest people start with (or necessarily read cover-to-cover).

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 14 mindfulness trainings are like a stacked cairn of wisdom to lead travelers along a path towards joy, happiness, peace and reverence for all humans and nature.
“Life is available only in the present moment so commit to live deeply each moment of daily life” is just one of the stacked stones to encourage us to dwell happily in this present moment.

[cherie heinz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful way to lead a good life

This is not a book, it is a doorway. Open it wide, and walk right in.
Live well, my friends

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has always been special to me, it was given as a gift by the owner of the farm I worked at a few years ago. We had a common interest in Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings and it really reminds me of that time in my life. I’ve tried to read this multiple times but this is the first time I’ve gotten through it. The first mindfulness training says it all- “Aware of the suffering created by fanaticism and intolerance, we are determined not to be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones”. Bearing this in mind, the 14 trainings are exactly as the title suggests: guidelines. I love that openness to interpretation and experimentation are welcome and encouraged in the interbeing practice. I found this to be such a deep source of reflection and mantra to be used in everyday life.

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Our own life is the instrument through which we experiment with truth" (p. 8)

"When we grow a lemon tree, we want it to be vigorous and beautiful. But, if it isn't vigorous and beautiful, we don't blame the tree. We observe it in order to understand why it isn't growing well. Perhaps we have not taken good care of it. We know it is funny to blame a lemon tree, but we do blame human beings when they are not growing well. Because our brothers, sisters, and children are humans, we think they should behave in certain ways. But human beings are not very different from lemon trees. If we take good care of them, they will grow properly. Blaming never helps. Only love and understanding can help people change. If we take good care of people, we will be rewarded by their pleasantness. Is this much different from the rewards we receive from our lemon tree?" (p. 30-31)

"Individual karma cannot be separated from collective karma. If you have the opportunity, please use your energy to improve both" (p. 41).

"We must be clearly aware of the responsibility we bear in bringing new life into the world. The answer is not to stop having children, but to make the world a better place" (p. 48).

"Do not force others, including children, by any means whatsoever, to adopt your views, whether by authority, threat, money, propaganda, or even education. However, through compassionate dialogue, help others renounce fanaticism and narrowness" (Third Precept).

[Jim Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is more of a manual, a sort of "functional" book, rather than something to sit down and read. I've read many of Thich Nhat Hanh's books, almost all of them have been good, but this one is... I guess the word would be "useful." It lays out the fourteen mindfulness trainings (precepts, really) of the Order of Interbeing. It also includes some recitation ceremonies and the Order's charter, which are interesting and useful but mostly repetitive.

Good stuff, worth the read. But it's not supposed to end with the read. You've got to put it into practice for it to mean anything.

[Tom Darrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contains an explanation of fourteen guidelines for Busshism, but they are ideas that almost anyone would benefit from and live a better life. That makes up the first half of the book. The second half, which consists of scripts for religious ceremonies, is what I view as being filler, or an attempt to justify a higher price for a book.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great overview of the 14 precepts. Some great working wisdom to apply to everyday life. Writing that is accessible to anyone--do not need to be Buddhist to understand Hanh's writing.

[T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent study guide for the Fourteen Guidelines.

[Jay Rao · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words can't describe the effects a book like this has on a person.

[Judy]

I agree in essence with all the fourteen precepts, which appear to be a form of Buddhism which actively participates in life to promote goodness. "Perhaps Buddhism is the only religion that speaks about itself as a raft to cross the river and not as an absolute truth to be worshipped and safeguarded." p. 27

[Devin Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of its page count ends up being a little redundant and surprisingly (though perhaps my expectations are to blame) focused on the details of leading a sangha.

Outside of that, it's very valuable and a good documentation of the unique qualities of Thay's legacy.

[Sylvia Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will continue to be a morning read though for me until I go to Plum Village next month. They are daily reminders of how to live mindfully, consciously and happily, and they work.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favorite of TNH's work, but still much value to be gleaned.

[Jayme · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first section of this book lists, then provides an overview of, the 14 precepts developed by the author for a Buddhist social justice organisation he led during in Vietnam during the war there. The commentary is interesting, but not compelling. I didn't find that that concepts were easily applicable to my own life. The second part of the book provides instruction for the ritualized chanting of these precepts - again, not terribly useful.

[Joeri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers valuable insights for those interested in bringing certain Buddhist-insights into practice. It can help people to show the way on how to really alleviate suffering through practical action, inspired by Buddhist-philosophy. It's applicable to modern life, encouraging us to find ways to alleviate suffering in our daily lifes as part of our livelihood, occupation and consumption. With this Buddhism can transcend the realm of the meditationhalls.

[Rowdy Scarlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's basically a book about the Plum Village tradition. It goes through the trainings that lay people and monks do as being part of the tradition and is written in a very clear way. A fairly quick read with some notes and I found it very interesting and hopeful.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joyous.

[Laura A Lepley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Healing Communication

An excellent primer on the foundational principles of mindful living. Deeply enjoyable read. Hope this book encourages all of us.

[Matt Styles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Similar to the 5 Mindfulness Trainings, but even better

[Nadine · Rating 4 out of 5]

only read until the end of the 14 mindfulness trainings... dont plan on being a monk or a spiritual leader anytime soon

[Karin Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have so much respect and gratitude to the Order of Interbeing

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written. Lots to think about and apply to daily living. Half of the book is a charter/ceremonies that are not necessarily relevant to a person not looking to join the OI.

[Jason Nguyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for those interested in finding a path for their social service aspiration.