How can we as active members of families of Truth practice the Buddha’s vow and begin to “help all beings to suffer less? How can we as active Christians practice Jesus’ commandment to “love they neighbor as thyself?” First, we must begin by creating a culture of peace within ourselves and then move to our families. Once we have conquered these two great places where anger and violence can reside daily, then we will have the power and the knowledge to move our beliefs and our actions into the larger community in which we work, play, and live.
Master Thich Nhat Hanh recommends that we begin by making a personal peace treaty with ourselves. He encourages us to do this particular act to make a “concrete commitment to transform our lives (Creating True Peace, 2003).” His personal peace treaty is simple and can be memorized easily. You can carry it in your wallet or purse and share it with your friends. It goes like this: “Dear Self, I promise to practice and live my daily life in a way that will not touch or water the seed of violence within me (page 7).” How often have we “touched the seed of violence within” ourselves today, or this week, or this month? Have we lost our temper this morning with family members because they did not get ready for school quickly enough, or with drivers on the road because they did not drive the way we wished they had driven, or gotten angry at co-workers for not doing what you thought they should have done in your time frame? Or how about getting angry at ourselves for not being the person that we had hoped we would be by this time in our lives?
I have felt that rage and anger build in me in a relationship when I had a fight with my significant other about some of the most inane things imaginable, like the inability to put dirty dishes in the dishwasher before going to bed, or not picking up dirty clothes from the floor, or spending money on things that seemed to me to be a waste and not needed or not in our budget.
Because we have so much family violence today, it is important that we as teachers, ministers, Truth students, and Zen practitioners share with our friends and families techniques that will help them get through their times of crisis without anger and/or violence. Remember, violence does not have to be physical—it can be mental and emotional as well.
You might want to check out Master Hanh’s peace treaty in his book. It is a wonderful process to use when working with an individual to create a peaceful and loving relationship. He believes, “The war stops and starts with you and with me. Every morning when you open your eyes, the potential for violence and war begins. So every morning, when you open your eyes, please water the seeds of compassion and nonviolence. Let peace begin with you (page 56).”
If you are reading this post you probably believe in these things as well so let us begin to practice our beliefs today and continue each and every day and soon we will find that peace we have been looking for right within ourselves. Sign that peace treaty today!
unlockthedoortolearning 
Hi Kathy, I wonder if you knew that Creating a Culture of Peace was the goal or theme of the U.N. for the decade from 2000- 2010. And, of course, we now have more war looming between Israel and Gaza. I think this decade for the U.N. Youth is about creating sustainability. Anyway when one looks at life on planet earth, it seems we humans go round and round, and sometimes we elevate our consciousness enough to the place of enlightenment. Maybe we will hopefully have yet another momentous occasion of a repeat in consciousness amongst many when the Berlin Wall came down, Russia tried glasnost, and S. Africa ended Apartheid not to mention lower incidents of domestic violence. Best wishes always, Deri
Dr. Deri, I did not remember that about the UN Theme, too bad it is more like a bad novel that no one buys or takes off the shelf. Not sure whey religion has to be the catalyst for so many wars when God is really only love. Keep up your great mission of peace and love! Thanks as well for reading my blog and responding with your wisdom. Happy Thanksgiving! Kathy
Kathy and others,
isn’t it amazing how we are led to read or see a lesson when we need it the most? And, isn’t it interesting to be upset with the most inane issues when all we really want, desire, strive for, is peace? Perhaps the striving word could be replaced and lower stress? I am not sure, but I do know that having and being peace is not always easy, and letting go is not always the answer. We need, perhaps, be aware of possibilities….