The Twelve Truths

1st Truth : Know yourself
- Every journey begins with a single step forward, but how can one take that first step if one is unsure of himself? Know yourself.  Know your strengths and weaknesses, your hopes and
dreams, what it is that makes you unique. 

2nd Truth : Know the lands
- In order to be prepared for the journey ahead, one must know the land one visits. Become acquainted with the things you find. Familiarize yourself with the layout of the area and what
it has to offer to visitors.

3rd Truth : Learn through experiences
- Life is built on experiences. They help build character and prepare us for the next experience.

4th Truth : Share wisdom, insight, and a helping hand
- It has been said that one cannot appreciate the gifts one receives until one gives of one's self in return.  Sharing the wisdom we have gained over time, offering insight into life as we have experienced it to be, and extending a helping hand to those in need is part of what makes us who we are as monks.

5th Truth : Know others
- As monks, we come into contact with people from various backgrounds and walks of life.  Part of walking the monk path is learning about the people around us and accepting them as who they are.

6th Truth : Train body and mind equally
-  A monk understands that balance must be maintained within one's self in order for inner peace to be attained.  One step to achieving inner balance is learning to train your body and mind equally. 

7th Truth : Always be true
- A monk seeks the truth in all things.  Often, we must look beyond veils of illusion in order to see what is truly before us.

8th Truth : Mind before hand
- A monk believes that all action is born in thought.. if we remain sound of mind, our actions will also be sound and just.

9th Truth : Walk with the wind under your feet
- The darkest cloud has a silver lining, the heaviest rain gives way to the shining sun, and the wind fills the readied sails. These are just a few examples of optimistic thinking, which is
a defining trait of those who walk the monk path. 

10th Truth : Patience
-  A monk must learn that there is a time and a place for everything. Know that one must be patient and allow things to proceed in
a natural order. 

11th Truth : Learn from pain. Accept it and move on
- The most memorable lessons and experiences are often borne out of pain. Learn from it without regret or submission and continue with ne experiences.

12th Truth : Let pride go
- One who constantly wanders from place to place has few earthly possessions. Be thankful for each breath one takes and for each step forward along his path. Be thankful for each day, waking up to enjoy life and for everything that comes in the journeys.  Because of the wandering nature of the monk, we strive to be thankful for everything and prideful of nothing.  To follow the way of the monk, you must let go of your pride and embrace a thankful spirit.