Precepts were created by the Buddha as his group of followers, his original sangha, hit snags in their social interactions. From his own sense of compassion and concern for the well-being of others, the Buddha created precepts as they were needed. In that light, we can consider that to practice Buddhist precepts is to practice the ethical life of the Buddha.

Precepts are a “map of the Buddha mind” which forms when we understand that all life is mutually supportive. From this insight, we begin to lean into our own suffering and that of others, rather than turn away from it. And when we do, a practice of ethical conduct suddenly seems possible. In time, ethical conduct becomes desirable and, finally, natural.

In practicing precepts, we resolve our own suffering by helping others to resolve their suffering, by creating causes and conditions which help others to grow and flourish toward sobriety and awakening.

In Buddhist recovery settings, precepts are sometimes worded as intentions. The Recovery Dharma book, for instance, words the first precept in this way: "We set the intention to avoid taking the life of another living being, or from causing harm to ourselves or another living being."

But what is the alchemy required for an intention to become a commitment? Or something even more than a commitment? This is where we come to the idea of a “vow.” A vow is not subject to circumstance but is given from our heart, and should inform our choices.

In this retreat we'll discuss how our own sober, awakened state is interdependently linked to the sobriety and awakening others, and explore how to support others through our own ethical behavior. We'll explore the nature of both precepts and vows, and take time to develop a personal vow for our practice in recovery.