1
00:01:29,209 --> 00:01:30,472
Good morning

2
00:01:30,719 --> 00:01:33,923
Dear respected Thay, dear brothers 
and sisters and dear friends

3
00:01:36,015 --> 00:01:40,402
Today is Sunday the 18th of December
in the year 2016

4
00:01:41,030 --> 00:01:43,170
and we are in the New Hamlet.

5
00:01:44,450 --> 00:01:50,198
In this winter retreat we are looking 
at the Noble Eightfold Path.

6
00:01:51,530 --> 00:01:57,625
Today i would like to share with you 
a little bit about right livelihood.

7
00:02:00,165 --> 00:02:05,459
Last week Brother Phap Lai 
spoke about right action

8
00:02:07,621 --> 00:02:11,836
and mentioned something about 
Right Livelihood and monastics,

9
00:02:12,693 --> 00:02:16,300
so as I sat down here,
that thought came to me,

10
00:02:16,720 --> 00:02:21,226
Am I practicing right livelihood,
right now?

11
00:02:23,516 --> 00:02:28,226
In my mind I see the Buddha 
going out on alms round

12
00:02:31,383 --> 00:02:34,475
receiving alms to be nourished

13
00:02:35,539 --> 00:02:37,772
and the Buddha will offer the Dharma

14
00:02:38,074 --> 00:02:40,877
there is an exchange of dana and Dharma.

15
00:02:41,767 --> 00:02:45,469
I guess I am continuing,

16
00:02:45,851 --> 00:02:49,059
we are all continuing 
the career of the Buddha

17
00:02:49,600 --> 00:02:53,163
and the Buddha practices Right Livelihood

18
00:02:54,715 --> 00:02:57,126
offering Dharma for dana

19
00:02:58,066 --> 00:03:01,667
so i guess that I'm practicing 
Right Livelihood.

20
00:03:02,895 --> 00:03:04,941
It is possible for monastics

21
00:03:09,944 --> 00:03:12,188
So, the Noble Eightfold Path.

22
00:03:15,975 --> 00:03:17,759
There are times,

23
00:03:19,109 --> 00:03:23,714
the Noble Eightfold Path is at times 
presented in three groups

24
00:03:25,842 --> 00:03:30,679
One group for ethics, “Sila”,

25
00:03:33,000 --> 00:03:37,310
one group for “Samadhi”, 
concentration

26
00:03:37,939 --> 00:03:41,493
and one group for “Prajna”, insight.

27
00:03:43,539 --> 00:03:47,373
Sila, or the mindfulness trainings

28
00:03:52,421 --> 00:03:55,524
Thay teaches us that 
the mindfulness trainings

29
00:03:55,524 --> 00:04:00,123
are a very concrete 
expression of mindfulness

30
00:04:02,238 --> 00:04:07,144
and the logo of Plum Village is 
Smrthi, which is mindfulness,

31
00:04:08,726 --> 00:04:12,618
Samadhi, concentration, Prajna, insight.

32
00:04:16,866 --> 00:04:21,494
So, I would like to start 
with sharing with you

33
00:04:24,315 --> 00:04:29,460
how the eight elements 
of the Noble Eightfold Path

34
00:04:30,075 --> 00:04:33,282
are divided up in those three groups.

35
00:04:40,304 --> 00:04:42,649
Maybe I'll write them on the board

36
00:04:52,954 --> 00:04:55,576
Big and small inter-are

37
00:05:35,814 --> 00:05:37,836
Right view, right livelihood

38
00:05:51,553 --> 00:05:52,880
One, or two? One.

39
00:05:55,694 --> 00:05:57,206
Mindfulness

40
00:06:43,437 --> 00:06:45,622
Usually we present them in a circle

41
00:06:49,397 --> 00:06:55,133
So, for ethics we have Right View 
and Right Thinking

42
00:06:56,854 --> 00:06:57,750
Sila

43
00:07:17,575 --> 00:07:18,490
excuse me,

44
00:07:34,558 --> 00:07:37,849
I'm trying to look at the paper 
instead of looking into my mind

45
00:07:40,487 --> 00:07:44,862
Right Speech, Right Action, 
Right Livelihood is ethics, Sila

46
00:07:49,066 --> 00:07:53,504
Right Concentration, Right Mindfulness, 
Right Effort

47
00:07:54,246 --> 00:07:57,794
is Right Concentration, samadhi

48
00:08:01,837 --> 00:08:06,625
Right View, Right Thinking 
is Prajna, insight,

49
00:08:25,225 --> 00:08:29,757
When our way of living is ethical,

50
00:08:32,496 --> 00:08:38,178
if it goes in the direction of 
non-violence for ourselves and others

51
00:08:40,301 --> 00:08:43,969
we feel joyful, we have energy,
we're happy

52
00:08:46,056 --> 00:08:50,969
And this is very easy 
for ourselves to check.

53
00:08:53,631 --> 00:08:55,765
Right Speech for instance.

54
00:09:01,307 --> 00:09:04,676
If the first thing we said to the person 
we met in the morning,

55
00:09:05,148 --> 00:09:09,409
was kind, loving, understanding,
you feel well

56
00:09:13,953 --> 00:09:19,902
and we go to work,
we feel happy and joyful

57
00:09:21,431 --> 00:09:26,165
When we feel happy and joyful,
it's very easy to concentrate,

58
00:09:26,930 --> 00:09:28,639
to have concentration.

59
00:09:30,176 --> 00:09:35,083
When we have concentration,
we can look deeply and we get insight.

60
00:09:39,090 --> 00:09:42,696
If the first thing we say 
when we get up in the morning,

61
00:09:45,918 --> 00:09:51,545
makes another person feel awful,
we will also feel awful

62
00:09:52,958 --> 00:09:56,657
we may go to work but somewhere 
in the depths of our mind

63
00:09:56,765 --> 00:09:59,285
is this uneasy feeling.

64
00:10:02,897 --> 00:10:07,193
We have concentration, but it may 
not be the same kind of concentration

65
00:10:07,558 --> 00:10:10,478
as when we're happy and at ease

66
00:10:13,827 --> 00:10:19,248
When we look at this path, 
the Noble Eightfold Path

67
00:10:19,940 --> 00:10:24,713
we can ask the question where to enter

68
00:10:25,404 --> 00:10:29,150
What is the entry 
into the Noble Eightfold path?

69
00:10:32,270 --> 00:10:33,910
Mindfulness,

70
00:10:34,680 --> 00:10:38,720
that's the door through 
which we enter the Noble Eightfold path

71
00:11:29,061 --> 00:11:35,041
When we practice mindfulness, 
we're bringing our mind home to our body.

72
00:11:39,531 --> 00:11:43,213
There is a saying that goes 
'working from home'

73
00:11:45,263 --> 00:11:47,823
I like to think about 'living from home'

74
00:11:48,593 --> 00:11:51,003
I bring my mind home to my body,

75
00:11:51,003 --> 00:11:54,623
and I live from that place of being aware.

76
00:11:58,203 --> 00:12:03,800
When we go back to ourselves,
bring our mind home to our body,

77
00:12:05,298 --> 00:12:09,403
we will notice what is happening 
inside of us and around us

78
00:12:10,924 --> 00:12:16,325
and we will have the clarity and calm 
in order to know how to respond

79
00:12:16,665 --> 00:12:19,484
to what is happening inside of us 
and around us.

80
00:12:20,397 --> 00:12:25,200
Not just around us,
in our direct environment

81
00:12:25,988 --> 00:12:30,630
but also to the world and society at large

82
00:12:31,618 --> 00:12:33,597
So let's practice with the bell

83
00:12:34,187 --> 00:12:37,660
and do exactly that,
bring our mind home to our body

84
00:12:40,292 --> 00:12:45,000
and we will be able to find out

85
00:12:45,960 --> 00:12:48,200
what is happening inside of us,

86
00:12:48,760 --> 00:12:52,731
what are we doing, body and mind

87
00:12:54,339 --> 00:12:57,161
and how are we doing it.

88
00:12:57,579 --> 00:13:00,624
Two aspects, what and how

89
00:13:01,027 --> 00:13:03,691
So, make yourself comfortable

90
00:13:10,465 --> 00:13:13,516
bring your mind home to your body

91
00:13:16,086 --> 00:13:19,263
to sort of sink into the present moment.

92
00:13:22,587 --> 00:13:29,459
Just become aware of what is happening 
inside of us, in our body and mind

93
00:14:41,549 --> 00:14:44,235
To stop being carried away 
by our thinking,

94
00:14:45,264 --> 00:14:46,837
our feelings, our emotions,

95
00:14:47,048 --> 00:14:49,570
and coming home to our body,

96
00:14:50,224 --> 00:14:57,586
is the foundation of our practice 
of the Noble Eightfold Path

97
00:15:03,513 --> 00:15:06,535
Traditionally, Right Livelihood

98
00:15:11,342 --> 00:15:15,837
is described as having a profession

99
00:15:15,837 --> 00:15:22,917
that does not harm human beings, 
animals, nature, mother earth

100
00:15:25,463 --> 00:15:30,890
It doesn't cause any harm, 
physically or mentally, morally

101
00:15:33,569 --> 00:15:38,338
which means not to deal in weapons,
this is how it's mentioned.

102
00:15:39,449 --> 00:15:45,964
Not to slaughter animals 
for consumption and meat,

103
00:15:47,018 --> 00:15:51,030
not to deal in poisons or drugs,

104
00:15:54,464 --> 00:15:57,942
no human trafficking for instance

105
00:16:01,826 --> 00:16:05,343
and today I would like to look 
a little bit at Right Livelihood

106
00:16:05,937 --> 00:16:08,815
in the light of our mindfulness trainings

107
00:16:13,842 --> 00:16:15,659
We have the five mindfulness trainings

108
00:16:16,278 --> 00:16:21,411
and the 14 mindfulness trainings 
of the Order of Interbeing.

109
00:16:33,444 --> 00:16:35,850
Right Livelihood is,

110
00:16:38,696 --> 00:16:42,891
looking at how we're making 
a contribution to the world

111
00:16:46,833 --> 00:16:49,491
how do we interact 
with the world at large?

112
00:16:54,397 --> 00:17:01,113
Also, looking to see and to become aware
of the impact we have on the world

113
00:17:05,890 --> 00:17:10,431
so that we can go in the direction 
of non-violence

114
00:17:10,884 --> 00:17:17,088
not harming ourselves, others, 
animals, mother nature.

115
00:17:22,717 --> 00:17:28,292
We practice being responsible 
citizens and consumers

116
00:17:32,577 --> 00:17:34,254
So, Right Livelihood

117
00:17:39,235 --> 00:17:42,380
There are two calligraphies by Thay

118
00:17:43,190 --> 00:17:48,070
that, for me, express very beautifully 


119
00:17:51,586 --> 00:17:56,829
the state of mind that helps us to go 
in the direction of Right Livelihood

120
00:17:58,510 --> 00:18:02,345
and one is: “You have enough”

121
00:18:06,208 --> 00:18:11,245
I think we can all see 
how that relates to Right Livelihood

122
00:18:12,352 --> 00:18:17,413
as well as:
“Happiness is not an individual matter”

123
00:18:19,849 --> 00:18:21,972
We have enough,

124
00:18:25,446 --> 00:18:28,999
we do not take more 
from others and from mother nature

125
00:18:32,485 --> 00:18:38,101
and we do not take more from others 
and mother nature than we need,

126
00:18:42,901 --> 00:18:47,760
and we share what we have with others 
you don't take what belongs to them.

127
00:18:55,419 --> 00:19:01,647
These two calligraphies help us 
to look deeply into our Livelihood

128
00:19:02,841 --> 00:19:05,335
When we look at 
the five mindfulness trainings,

129
00:19:09,626 --> 00:19:14,159
they give us guidelines 
for our actions of body, speech

130
00:19:18,507 --> 00:19:21,494
Throughout the day we make many choices

131
00:19:23,369 --> 00:19:26,143
what to do, what not to do, 
what to say, what not to say

132
00:19:26,600 --> 00:19:29,583
what to buy, what not to buy, 
where to go or not to go

133
00:19:30,252 --> 00:19:31,723
how to go, how not to go.

134
00:19:33,412 --> 00:19:36,334
We make choices throughout the day, 
the whole time.

135
00:19:38,434 --> 00:19:43,692
The five mindfulness trainings are 
a very good point of reference,

136
00:19:45,304 --> 00:19:49,434
a guidance for us, to make choices

137
00:19:51,239 --> 00:19:55,671
that enhance not only our own well-being

138
00:19:55,802 --> 00:20:01,201
but also the well-being of others 
as well as the mother earth.

139
00:20:03,362 --> 00:20:10,061
So, the first mindfulness training
has the name “reverence for life”

140
00:20:14,097 --> 00:20:17,020
we practice protecting life.

141
00:20:19,322 --> 00:20:21,809
The second one is "true happiness"

142
00:20:23,692 --> 00:20:27,698
we practice sharing our time and energy

143
00:20:28,809 --> 00:20:32,853
with others and material resources.

144
00:20:33,117 --> 00:20:37,080
"True love,"
to live in a committed relationship

145
00:20:38,679 --> 00:20:45,536
we practice deep listening and loving 
speech to keep our relationships happy.

146
00:20:48,000 --> 00:20:54,282
And "mindful consumption" as nourishment 
and healing for healthy living

147
00:20:56,686 --> 00:21:00,040
The 14 mindfulness trainings 
of the order of Interbeing

148
00:21:03,399 --> 00:21:06,844
reflect the Noble Eightfold Path.

149
00:21:07,990 --> 00:21:09,550
The Noble Eightfold Path,

150
00:21:10,172 --> 00:21:14,932
when we write them in a list,

151
00:21:16,046 --> 00:21:18,101
they start usually with the mind.

152
00:21:18,506 --> 00:21:20,477
Right View, Right Thinking

153
00:21:22,498 --> 00:21:26,277
and the 14 mindfulness trainings 
also start with the mind.

154
00:21:28,056 --> 00:21:31,602
We have seven mindfulness trainings

155
00:21:36,284 --> 00:21:39,773
that are related to our mind.

156
00:21:50,305 --> 00:21:51,621
I pull out the book

157
00:21:54,645 --> 00:21:57,729
I will read some of that a little later.

158
00:21:58,885 --> 00:22:03,602
The first three mindfulness trainings 
of the order of Interbeing

159
00:22:04,685 --> 00:22:09,013
speak about our attitude of mind
what kind of attitude do we have.

160
00:22:10,608 --> 00:22:14,781
The first one is "openness", 
we call it openness

161
00:22:16,731 --> 00:22:19,985
and that is not to be bound 
to any doctrine.

162
00:22:21,196 --> 00:22:24,642
So many wars have been waged 
because of doctrines

163
00:22:25,029 --> 00:22:30,461
that we hold on to for many, many decades

164
00:22:31,104 --> 00:22:33,957
so doctrines or ideologies.

165
00:22:34,640 --> 00:22:38,163
The second one is 
"non-attachment to views"

166
00:22:38,869 --> 00:22:42,268
to be open to other people's 
views and opinions,

167
00:22:48,484 --> 00:22:50,011
to be inclusive

168
00:22:54,174 --> 00:22:57,754
to go in a direction 
of the collective insight.

169
00:23:01,926 --> 00:23:04,800
The third one is "freedom of thought"

170
00:23:05,040 --> 00:23:09,040
we do not impose our views onto others.

171
00:23:09,250 --> 00:23:14,640
Everyone has the right to look deeply 
and to decide for themselves

172
00:23:17,304 --> 00:23:26,940
what to do, how to be, what to choose 
what to believe, what to believe

173
00:23:27,090 --> 00:23:28,780
freedom of thought.

174
00:23:31,674 --> 00:23:33,950
When you look into 
this mindfulness training

175
00:23:34,179 --> 00:23:37,202
we see also that a lot of suffering 
has been caused

176
00:23:41,219 --> 00:23:46,497
by not allowing others to choose
what to believe.

177
00:24:06,439 --> 00:24:08,513
And the fourth and the seventh,

178
00:24:09,360 --> 00:24:11,598
they speak about a personal practice.

179
00:24:22,545 --> 00:24:24,826
We learn to take care of our suffering

180
00:24:27,012 --> 00:24:29,250
to look deeply into our suffering

181
00:24:35,682 --> 00:24:38,836
and look into the suffering of the world.

182
00:24:40,479 --> 00:24:46,129
And for the fifth,
we go in the direction of healthy living

183
00:24:48,127 --> 00:24:50,384
and for the sixth, 
we take care of our mind.

184
00:24:50,725 --> 00:24:52,575
These are our own personal practices

185
00:24:52,847 --> 00:24:55,521
like we take care of anger for instance

186
00:24:56,012 --> 00:24:58,912
and that can be anger, irritation

187
00:25:04,495 --> 00:25:05,610
upset

188
00:25:06,347 --> 00:25:08,771
so we take care of our anger

189
00:25:11,459 --> 00:25:15,333
And the seventh, how we can dwell
happily in the present moment

190
00:25:23,203 --> 00:25:26,729
and the eighth and the ninth are 
about communion and communication

191
00:25:27,707 --> 00:25:29,236
and truthful and loving speech.

192
00:25:29,236 --> 00:25:31,545
It's about interactions that we have 
with others

193
00:25:32,920 --> 00:25:36,551
and the tenth trough the 14th 
are for acting in society.

194
00:25:38,413 --> 00:25:40,428
We protect and nourish the Sangha.

195
00:25:43,422 --> 00:25:47,474
To bring about a change in society 
we need the sangha, we can't do it alone

196
00:25:49,017 --> 00:25:52,729
so a sangha is a precious jewel
it's a place of refuge

197
00:25:53,504 --> 00:25:55,394
it's where we get the support.

198
00:25:56,568 --> 00:26:02,222
We all know already that we may be 
on this path of mindfulness

199
00:26:04,543 --> 00:26:11,235
and when we go home, we look for others 
who also practice the same thing

200
00:26:12,261 --> 00:26:16,289
because standing alone in society 
is not so easy

201
00:26:16,641 --> 00:26:18,628
but having a sangha to practice with,

202
00:26:19,237 --> 00:26:25,995
we're able to stand by the choices 
we make in our life.

203
00:26:28,024 --> 00:26:30,333
As a sangha, we can do it.

204
00:26:31,856 --> 00:26:35,367
The 11th mindfulness training 
speaks of Right Livelihood

205
00:26:36,806 --> 00:26:39,891
The 12th about reverence for life

206
00:26:40,395 --> 00:26:42,335
The 13th about generosity

207
00:26:42,798 --> 00:26:48,512
and the 14 about Right Conduct,
about our intimate relationships,

208
00:26:48,844 --> 00:26:50,276
true love.

209
00:27:01,232 --> 00:27:08,184
When we look at the Noble Eightfold Path,
we'll find the 14 mindfulness trainings

210
00:27:08,280 --> 00:27:10,721
when you look at 
the 14 mindfulness trainings

211
00:27:10,721 --> 00:27:13,955
you'll find all the elements 
of the Noble Eightfold Path

212
00:27:17,911 --> 00:27:20,017
we're looking into 
the mindfulness trainings

213
00:27:20,349 --> 00:27:23,676
so we can understand ourselves better.

214
00:27:24,874 --> 00:27:27,960
We all want to go 
in the direction of happiness

215
00:27:29,085 --> 00:27:32,478
not only for ourselves but for all others.

216
00:27:33,023 --> 00:27:36,611
And looking into ourselves in the light 
of the five mindfulness trainings

217
00:27:37,369 --> 00:27:40,735
we can see how we can...

218
00:27:46,760 --> 00:27:48,390
enhance our practice

219
00:27:48,567 --> 00:27:54,061
of going in a direction 
of non-violence and true happiness.

220
00:28:04,301 --> 00:28:09,194
Right Livelihood is expressed 
also in the way we think,

221
00:28:10,231 --> 00:28:14,721
and in the way we speak and 
how we spend our time and energy.

222
00:28:29,473 --> 00:28:33,254
At this point I'd like to read 
the 11th mindfulness training

223
00:28:37,145 --> 00:28:38,673
Right Livelihood

224
00:28:42,265 --> 00:28:44,853
“Aware that great violence and injustice

225
00:28:45,198 --> 00:28:48,094
has been done to our environment 
and society,

226
00:28:49,754 --> 00:28:52,687
we are committed 
not to live with a vocation

227
00:28:52,856 --> 00:28:55,432
that is harmful to humans and nature.

228
00:28:58,325 --> 00:29:01,010
We will do our best to select a livelihood

229
00:29:01,168 --> 00:29:04,378
that contributes to the well-being 
of all species on earth

230
00:29:05,491 --> 00:29:09,956
and helps realize our ideal 
of understanding and compassion.

231
00:29:12,089 --> 00:29:17,150
Aware of economic, political and 
social realities around the world

232
00:29:18,289 --> 00:29:23,344
as well as our interrelationship 
with the ecosystem,

233
00:29:24,200 --> 00:29:30,090
we are determined to behave responsibly
as consumers and as citizens.

234
00:29:32,263 --> 00:29:36,053
We will not invest in, 
or purchase from companies

235
00:29:36,860 --> 00:29:40,937
that contribute to the depletion 
of Natural Resources,

236
00:29:42,084 --> 00:29:46,590
harm the earth and deprive others 
of their chance to live.”

237
00:29:53,850 --> 00:29:56,836
So, in this training 
we see very clearly that

238
00:29:58,225 --> 00:30:02,103
it is not just what we do, 
as a profession

239
00:30:04,058 --> 00:30:07,091
but also, how do we live,

240
00:30:09,705 --> 00:30:12,121
what are the choices that we make.

241
00:30:15,041 --> 00:30:17,755
As i said before, choices that may,

242
00:30:23,970 --> 00:30:26,782
choices that support others 
in their livelihood

243
00:30:30,188 --> 00:30:34,543
For instance if we are a teacher

244
00:30:35,312 --> 00:30:37,842
we have the heart...

245
00:30:43,360 --> 00:30:46,004
to nurture our students

246
00:30:46,797 --> 00:30:50,630
in a way that will give rise 
to compassion and understanding in them

247
00:30:52,335 --> 00:30:55,110
and we can say we have Right Livelihood.

248
00:30:57,357 --> 00:31:02,362
Then afterwards, we go to the supermarket 
and we put things in our basket

249
00:31:04,059 --> 00:31:10,452
we may use products that have chemicals 
that pollute the environment

250
00:31:12,297 --> 00:31:15,648
and as long as we put those articles 
in our basket

251
00:31:17,223 --> 00:31:19,067
they will be produced.

252
00:31:20,177 --> 00:31:27,900
So in that way, we are supporting 
the livelihood of someone else

253
00:31:29,393 --> 00:31:32,838
that pollutes the environment

254
00:31:33,762 --> 00:31:35,877
and when we look at that way

255
00:31:36,781 --> 00:31:39,111
the choices we make in our life

256
00:31:43,397 --> 00:31:50,065
we can clearly see that Right Livelihood 
is not an individual matter.

257
00:31:51,593 --> 00:31:53,829
It is a collective matter

258
00:31:54,309 --> 00:31:56,495
and if we want to bring about a change

259
00:31:56,984 --> 00:31:59,750
then we need a collective awakening.

260
00:32:03,710 --> 00:32:07,125
Maybe we can have a bell 
before we continue?

261
00:32:58,869 --> 00:33:03,599
All our actions of body of speech of mind
have an effect on other people

262
00:33:05,228 --> 00:33:11,933
so when we go to work, go to the office 
or wherever we may be working

263
00:33:13,480 --> 00:33:18,585
the way we interact with others 
has an effect on others

264
00:33:21,263 --> 00:33:26,452
so we can practice Right Livelihood
to the way we speak.

265
00:33:29,680 --> 00:33:33,697
If we speak from understanding 
and compassion

266
00:33:37,586 --> 00:33:42,352
others will build up trust in us.

267
00:33:43,271 --> 00:33:46,613
They will be able to listen to us

268
00:33:49,648 --> 00:33:52,375
they will open up to us

269
00:33:52,568 --> 00:33:56,516
and they may see how we live.

270
00:33:57,266 --> 00:34:00,697
They may become aware 
of what choices we make

271
00:34:05,325 --> 00:34:09,183
and this may inspire them 
to look at their choices.

272
00:34:16,855 --> 00:34:20,024
When we practice being open to their views

273
00:34:21,979 --> 00:34:25,441
to allow them to believe 
what they want to believe,

274
00:34:28,555 --> 00:34:31,918
all that is part of Right Livelihood.

275
00:34:33,807 --> 00:34:37,990
Right Livelihood is not just 
the actual work that we do.

276
00:34:40,040 --> 00:34:42,058
When I was much younger,

277
00:34:42,477 --> 00:34:45,054
some 20 years old or so,

278
00:34:49,098 --> 00:34:54,482
and I did some job 
to earn some money in my holiday.

279
00:34:56,146 --> 00:35:03,504
So I went to one of those offices 
where you get temporary job, temps office,

280
00:35:06,398 --> 00:35:11,355
One day I was sent 
to an advertising agency

281
00:35:13,579 --> 00:35:19,648
Since I can type, 
they asked me to type the notes

282
00:35:20,100 --> 00:35:23,384
of the meeting they had the day before,

283
00:35:23,590 --> 00:35:27,858
because their secretary was sick,
I was replacing the secretary.

284
00:35:28,877 --> 00:35:30,628
As was typing these notes,

285
00:35:33,001 --> 00:35:36,327
there was a sentence, 
one input from one member

286
00:35:37,349 --> 00:35:43,656
that was sort of in the direction of,
we really would like this product to sell

287
00:35:47,992 --> 00:35:51,108
We cannot straight out say 
it's much better than other products

288
00:35:51,591 --> 00:35:55,638
because actually it's not exactly the case

289
00:35:57,277 --> 00:36:03,046
but we like to word it in a way 
that it sounds that it is better

290
00:36:04,287 --> 00:36:08,097
we cannot say it's better, but we'll 
word it so it sounds like it's better

291
00:36:08,994 --> 00:36:10,914
so I typed up all the notes.

292
00:36:12,224 --> 00:36:15,314
I had to breathe when I came to that part,
you may understand.

293
00:36:16,970 --> 00:36:22,853
When I was ready, I went to the person 
who'd asked me to type

294
00:36:24,461 --> 00:36:25,638
and I gave it back

295
00:36:25,856 --> 00:36:27,568
She said “well that's all for today”

296
00:36:27,615 --> 00:36:29,154
and I said “thank you very much”

297
00:36:29,154 --> 00:36:30,554
and I didn't bow because..

298
00:36:31,656 --> 00:36:35,813
I said “thank you very much, 
have a nice day”, and I left

299
00:36:36,323 --> 00:36:40,503
and on the way to the station
I stopped at the agency and I said to them

300
00:36:40,869 --> 00:36:45,423
“I don't think I'll go back there, could 
you please give me something else to do?”

301
00:36:46,325 --> 00:36:48,258
And the lady said “No,

302
00:36:48,956 --> 00:36:53,612
they want someone for an X number of days
and that is what we give you."

303
00:36:53,612 --> 00:36:56,154
I said “well, I'm sorry, I cannot take it,

304
00:36:58,900 --> 00:37:02,116
I will go somewhere else”, I said,

305
00:37:02,755 --> 00:37:04,689
and she said,

306
00:37:05,156 --> 00:37:10,433
“you may not find something else 
to do elsewhere.”

307
00:37:10,842 --> 00:37:15,282
I said “it's ok, I'll find a job, 
I'll clean toilets

308
00:37:18,737 --> 00:37:24,524
but, I don't feel comfortable 
working for this company”

309
00:37:26,099 --> 00:37:30,489
so I went home and I told my mother,
“don't believe anything you see in an ad.”

310
00:37:35,876 --> 00:37:38,310
And at that time, you know, 
I didn't realize,

311
00:37:38,505 --> 00:37:40,902
I could have gone back, 
the people were very nice

312
00:37:41,829 --> 00:37:44,170
and maybe at some way or another,

313
00:37:44,750 --> 00:37:52,538
I could have helped and raise 
their awareness of Right Livelihood

314
00:37:54,755 --> 00:37:58,204
They're there, you know they need a job 
they have a family to feed

315
00:38:02,579 --> 00:38:04,192
they are doing their best

316
00:38:13,245 --> 00:38:16,841
I still type things from time to time, 
but it is all about the Dharma

317
00:38:18,553 --> 00:38:20,672
so I feel very comfortable typing it.

318
00:38:22,742 --> 00:38:26,918
But this is just to say that 
if we are in a job, we need a job,

319
00:38:27,174 --> 00:38:32,662
we need something to do, we need 
to have some bread on our plate, or rice.

320
00:38:40,089 --> 00:38:44,858
What impact do we have on the world 
and the people around us

321
00:38:45,992 --> 00:38:48,090
this is not about going about and

322
00:38:52,469 --> 00:38:54,361
you know, moralizing,

323
00:38:54,361 --> 00:38:58,361
going about and telling everybody 
they're not ethical etc

324
00:39:00,160 --> 00:39:04,623
but, what is our intention in life?

325
00:39:04,691 --> 00:39:06,931
From where do we live?

326
00:39:09,380 --> 00:39:12,911
What is our intention 
when we interact with our co-workers?

327
00:39:14,664 --> 00:39:16,502
What do we water in them?

328
00:39:17,719 --> 00:39:20,680
Do we water something in them 
that helps all of us

329
00:39:20,887 --> 00:39:25,908
to go in the direction 
of non-harming, non-violence?

330
00:39:31,396 --> 00:39:33,726
What do we do?

331
00:39:34,536 --> 00:39:37,038
As teachers, we can do many things.

332
00:39:40,505 --> 00:39:43,171
As a secretary we can do many things.

333
00:39:44,458 --> 00:39:47,458
Maybe one day we will be 
the director of the company

334
00:39:49,803 --> 00:39:54,970
we can look and see what kind of products

335
00:39:56,014 --> 00:39:59,520
or how would we like 
to promote the market.

336
00:40:00,866 --> 00:40:06,322
There's many, many possibilities
to practice Right Livelihood

337
00:40:14,784 --> 00:40:21,247
Today, we have a little bit 
of a different program for this morning

338
00:40:22,742 --> 00:40:25,492
not quite the same as the days before.

339
00:40:27,351 --> 00:40:30,576
I've just shared a little bit with you 
about Right Livelihood

340
00:40:31,203 --> 00:40:34,291
for you to reflect...

341
00:40:36,210 --> 00:40:41,940
on how to bring 
this aspect in your daily life

342
00:40:43,035 --> 00:40:48,314
or to say, how to bring a spiritual 
dimension in your daily life

343
00:40:50,100 --> 00:40:55,358
through the practice 
of the Noble Eightfold Path,

344
00:40:56,353 --> 00:40:58,269
maybe the five mindfulness trainings

345
00:40:58,504 --> 00:41:02,391
and 14 mindfulness trainings 
of the Order of Interbeing.

346
00:41:10,821 --> 00:41:14,067
Maybe we can enjoy a sound of the bell?

347
00:41:57,937 --> 00:42:03,797
To go in the direction of non-harming,
in Plum Village, we also follow this path.

348
00:42:08,373 --> 00:42:11,718
When i first came to Plum Village,
we were vegetarian

349
00:42:13,119 --> 00:42:14,523
we had cheese.

350
00:42:19,239 --> 00:42:23,450
In France, at the time at least,
you could buy a bar of cheese

351
00:42:23,633 --> 00:42:25,726
a square bar, about this size.

352
00:42:28,327 --> 00:42:35,313
On the table in the morning, there were 
neatly cut slices of square cheese

353
00:42:36,882 --> 00:42:42,500
square slices of cheese that we could have

354
00:42:44,692 --> 00:42:50,542
and then when we became aware 
of the dairy industry

355
00:42:53,406 --> 00:42:55,675
we became vegan

356
00:42:57,637 --> 00:43:00,694
going in the direction 
of being totally vegan.

357
00:43:05,920 --> 00:43:12,679
Slowly also we became aware 
of the impact on the earth

358
00:43:13,300 --> 00:43:20,818
of the products that we use in our hamlets

359
00:43:24,044 --> 00:43:28,262
so we looked into biodegradable products

360
00:43:30,295 --> 00:43:32,566
and we're still going in that direction.

361
00:43:32,707 --> 00:43:33,908
Sometimes we have many

362
00:43:34,068 --> 00:43:35,415
sometimes a little bit less

363
00:43:35,586 --> 00:43:38,783
but we're going in the direction 
and that's very important.

364
00:43:53,593 --> 00:43:59,902
Nowadays, when we travel from one 
hamlet to another, we have buses

365
00:44:01,123 --> 00:44:05,935
before, we asked everybody to please 
use their car and fill them up with people

366
00:44:07,143 --> 00:44:09,197
until we realized that's many cars.

367
00:44:10,197 --> 00:44:15,528
So now we use buses, it's just one big 
vehicle for many people to go into

368
00:44:19,955 --> 00:44:26,441
We're going in the direction of trying 
to combine trips to the town

369
00:44:27,344 --> 00:44:29,945
This usually works around Christmas

370
00:44:32,967 --> 00:44:39,663
when we have one day when we can go and
buy some material to make some presents

371
00:44:40,199 --> 00:44:42,416
if we don't find materials here.

372
00:44:44,034 --> 00:44:49,859
So the important mindset is 
to go in the direction

373
00:44:53,539 --> 00:44:56,787
to go in the direction 
is very compassionate.

374
00:45:00,285 --> 00:45:05,404
It also avoids us from becoming dogmatic

375
00:45:05,988 --> 00:45:10,628
we go in the direction of Right Livelihood.

376
00:45:12,288 --> 00:45:14,248
The Buddha walked everywhere

377
00:45:15,723 --> 00:45:20,302
for us, it's a bit far to walk from the 
Lower and Upper Hamlet to the New Hamlet

378
00:45:21,267 --> 00:45:23,031
so, we drive.

379
00:45:26,212 --> 00:45:31,189
We also try to look into vehicles that 
are not so polluting for the environment

380
00:45:35,197 --> 00:45:38,001
so the choices we make are very important.

381
00:45:42,125 --> 00:45:47,585
When we have a profession 
that is in the media

382
00:45:48,829 --> 00:45:50,810
we reach many, many people.

383
00:45:53,041 --> 00:45:57,280
It's very clear, 
the impact we have on the world

384
00:46:02,052 --> 00:46:05,589
When we are an artist 
we also reach many people

385
00:46:06,592 --> 00:46:09,195
We also have an impact on the world

386
00:46:10,093 --> 00:46:16,050
We know that art has always been 
a messenger to educate people

387
00:46:19,025 --> 00:46:24,794
So, for today we have invited two 
of our friends, two practitioners

388
00:46:26,539 --> 00:46:31,977
to share with us a little bit 
about their personal spiritual journey

389
00:46:35,460 --> 00:46:39,164
I would like to invite Paz and Jo

390
00:46:40,300 --> 00:46:49,572
and Sister True Dedication who will be the
facilitator of this part of our program