Shila, the second paramita, is the clear and simple guidelines for ethical behavior in our everyday life. “I vow to listen deeply, with compassion to your suffering.” That is shila. “I vow to speak to you with the language of loving kindness.” That is shila. “I vow to protect and preserve life.” That is shila. The Five Mindfulness Trainings, the basic precepts of Buddhism, are an essential foundation for the practice of the other paramitas. When you practice shila, when you display self-discipline and mindfulness in word and deed, you have a lot of credibility. Because there is harmony between your words and actions, people have trust and confidence in you, and with the support of that trust, you are able to bring about much good. In Plum Village, we present these trainings in a nonsectarian form, with no specifically Buddhist terminology, because we know that they have universal value. Elements of these ethical guidelines for living exist in every tradition. The wording may be different, but the essence is very much the same.

If we know how to apply the Five Mindfulness Trainings, individually, collectively, and internationally, then peace on Earth will become a reality. The trainings remind us to consume mindfully and refrain from doing things that can harm our body and mind. They help us refrain from harming others and from using the kind of language that causes disharmony and division and brings about suffering. The practice of shila helps secure the safety and wellbeing of ourselves and others, and it is a path to greater understanding and compassion.