APPENDIX 1

Commitments and Precepts of Thought Transformation Practice

Commitments of Thought Transformation Practice

Do not disregard or contradict any pledges that you have made.
Do not allow your thought transformation practice to increase arrogance.
Do not let yourself fall into partiality toward others.
Maintain a natural external behavior acceptable to others, while internally transforming your mind.
Do not speak of the faults of others.
Do not think of others’ failings, even when you see them.
Apply antidotes to the delusions that are strongest in you with greater emphasis.
Give up all hope for personal reward for your thought transformation practice.
Do not let your positive actions be polluted by the poisons of the self-cherishing attitude and by thoughts that grasp at the inherent existence of things.
Hold no grudge toward those who cause harm.
Do not respond in kind when scolded by others.
Do not retaliate in return when harmed by others.
Abstain from any actions harmful to others’ bodies or minds.
Do not blame others for your own shortcomings and failures.
Abandon selfish motives of appropriating the belongings of a community for your personal gain.
Do not undertake the thought transformation practice merely because of the wish to be protected from some malevolent forces.
Do not be inflated and arrogant on account of your thought transformation practice.
Eliminate the ulterior motive which wishes others to suffer for the sake of your own happiness.

Precepts of Thought Transformation Practice

Undertake all activities with the single thought to benefit others.
Oppose all interferences and enhance your practice through the altruistic attitude of equalizing and exchanging yourself with others.
Pursue all positive activities with the bodhicitta motivation at the beginning and a dedication at the end.
Transform all circumstances, both desirable and adverse, so that they become complementary to your practice of thought transformation.
Regard all pledges in general, and those of thought transformation in particular, as dear as your life.
Apply the appropriate opponent forces instantly when delusions arise and strive to sever their continuity.
Aggregate the three principle causes for your practice:
1. Proper reliance on an experienced spiritual guide
2. A mind receptive to righteous actions
3. Protection of the precepts of the three vows (individual liberation, bodhisattva, and tantra) from degeneration
Maintain the three undeclining attitudes:
1. An undeclining devotion toward your spiritual mentor
2. An undeclining joy in the practice of thought transformation
3. An undeclining wish to observe the three vows
Do not isolate your body, speech, or mind from ethical conduct.
Always practice thought transformation with impartiality toward all.
Apply the thought transformation principles to all events.
Meditate with special attention on love and compassion toward your rivals, enemies, et al.
Always practice thought transformation without any dependence on favorableness in the external circumstances.
Exert yourself in the essence of the practice.
Abstain from six inverted deeds:
1. Inverted patience: showing great patience for the hardships of mundane affairs rather than patience for the hardships of the cultivation of the altruistic aspiration.
2. Inverted will: having great determination in pursuing meaningless worldly affairs, but having no such will toward the practice of dharma.
3. Inverted taste: reveling in the enjoyment of pleasures derived through negative emotions such as desire, hatred, etc., rather than enjoying the bliss of meditation.
4. Inverted compassion: feeling pity for a sincere dharma practitioner who is materially poor while admiring someone who is successful at the mundane level.
5. Inverted loyalty: encouraging your close ones to pursue worldly involvements rather than guiding them to the path of dharma.
6. Inverted rejoicing: rejoicing in the misfortunes of those whom you dislike, while remaining indifferent toward the positive actions of others which bring benefit to many.
Be steadfast and not intermittent in your practice.
Exert all your ability with single-pointedness and do not be plagued by doubts and hesitations.
Strive to eliminate your delusions through the constant application of examination and analysis.
Do not boast of the things done for others.
Do not be provoked by slight incidents and remarks.
Do not crave to receive gratitude and reputation because of your practice.
Do not be fickle.