The Ten Indian Commandments:

[WindRavenX]

# Remain close to the Great Spirit.

# Show great respect for your fellow beings.

# Give assistance and kindness wherever needed.

# Be truthful and honest at all times.

# Do what you know to be right.

# Look after the well being of mind and body.

# Treat the earth and all that dwell there on with respect.

# Take full responsibility for your actions.

# Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater good.

# Work together for the benefit of all man kind.


The world would be better if we heeded this list.

[Radical Activist]

1. which Indians?

I'm ready to become a Buddhist monk after watching star wars.

It was all Padme's fault. If Anakin Skywalker had never fallen in love...

[WindRavenX]

3. hahaha

:hi:

[RevolutionaryActs]

2. I nominated this for the greatest page.

:)

[Kire]

4. I used to have that poster in my dorm.

Not the same order, but they are the same "commandments".

Radical Activist is right, "which Indians"? I'm going to post a question about the origins of this in the Native American DU group. And then I'm going to use the skills I learned getting my BA in Anthropology to do more research.

[silverweb]

5. I was curious about the origins of this...

In my search, I came across this really excellent thesis -- 456 pages worth -- entitled, A Quest for Character: Explaining the Relationship Between First Nations Teachings and "Character Education".

It seems that no one is absolutely sure who formulated the Indian Ten Commandments, but they are attributed to Chief White Cloud of the Ioway Tribe. Yvonne Germaine Dufault, the author of the thesis, says that several of the people she interviewed during her study had copies of the same "commandments," so she used them in her thesis.

She found it very interesting and significant that the Judeo-Christian Ten Commandments are all "shalt nots," in contrast to the Indian Ten Commandments, which are all "thou shalts." I have to agree with her perspective on that.

[MazeRat7]

6. Hummm sounds a lot like the Buddhist "eight fold path"....

The Buddha-Dharma is the realization within one’s deepest consciousness of the Oneness of all life. For the attainment of this purpose, Buddha showed us the Eightfold Path.

1. Right Views means to keep ourselves free from prejudice, superstition and delusion... and to see aright the true nature of life.

2. Right Thoughts means to turn away from the hypocrisies of this world and to direct our minds toward Truth and Positive Attitudes and Action.

3. Right Conduct means to see that our deeds are peaceable, benevolent, compassionate and pure... and to live the Teachings daily.

4. Right Speech means to refrain from pointless and harmful talk... to speak kindly and courteously to all.

5. Right Livelihood means to earn our living in such a way as to entail no evil consequences. To seek that employment to which can give our complete enthusiasm and devotion.

6. Right Effort means to direct our efforts continually to the overcoming of ignorance and craving desires.

7. Right Mindfulness means to cherish good and pure thoughts, for all that we say and do arises from our thoughts.

8. Right Meditation means to concentrate on the Oneness of all life and the Buddhahood that exists within all beings.

Enjoy,
MZr7

[Heidi]

7. Thank you for posting that, MazeRat!

I'm working on a commissioned painting based on the Four Immeasurables, and your post came at just the right time on a Saturday morning, for me. Thank you. :hi:

[MazeRat7]

9. Odd how that happens isn't it ? Your welcome and good luck.

[Heidi]

12. Thank you, Mazerat7.

(Would it be OK if I PM you with a Buddhism question?)

[NMMNG]

8. I demand

that we have six foot high granite monuments of these commandments erected in every public square.

The well-being of our children depends upon it. Won't somebody please think of the children!

[Zuni]

10. You know, not all Indians are the same

some Indians, like those of the Iriquois league, practiced slavery, cannibalism and genocide of rivals

Other Indians were totally peaceful, living in harmony with their surroundings

[Deja Q]

11. Yup. More proof that corporate america wants people to do as they say.

Not do as they do.