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Master the 5 Precepts for better governance
The Nation[31/05/2007]
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National leaders and businessmen should follow the Buddha's teaching by adopting mindful living and observing the Five Precepts so that they achieve good governance and bring development to their countries, Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh said yesterday.
He said living in this way would give the leaders spiritual power, which would prevent them from misusing their political or economic power.
"We citizens would like political leaders and economic leaders to bring a spiritual dimension to their lives. If they have a spiritual dimension, they will be able to solve difficulties; they will be able to transform their suffering and be able to have more joy, more peace and more love in order to serve their country and the world," the revered 81-year-old Vietnamese monk said.
Thich Nhat Hanh was speaking on Buddhism's contribution to good governance and development, the theme of the International Buddhist Conference on the United Nations Day of Vesak (Visakha Bucha Day) Celebrations 2007, at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok.
He said leaders will also have to learn "loving speech and deep listening" in order to restore healthy communication. They would then be able to transform the government and parliament into a family where people can listen and learn from each other and work in harmony and with compassion.
Practising Dharma, the Buddha's teachings, will give three kinds of power: the power to cut off greed, hatred, anger and despair; the power to congregate insights and the power to love, forgive and accept others, he said.
Ninety monks and nuns from Plum Village in France and Vietnam joined him for this trip to Thailand. They also joined in chanting ceremonies at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha to bless His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the occasion of his 80th birthday this year.
This is the third year Thailand has hosted the United Nations Day of Vesak Celebrations. This year it is also to celebrate and commemorate His Majesty the King's 80th birthday.
Source : 
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