The Five Awarenesses

The Five Awarenesses

These verses are used in the Plum Village Wedding Ceremony. They are also to be recited by couples on the full-moon and new-moon days.

We are aware that all generations of our ancestors
and all future generations are present in us.

We are aware of the expectations that our ancestors, our children,
and their children have of us.

We are aware that our joy, peace, freedom, and harmony
are the joy, peace, freedom, and harmony
of our ancestors, our children, and their children.

We are aware that understanding is the very foundation of love.

We are aware that blaming and arguing can never help us
and only create a wider gap between us;
that only understanding, trust, and love
can help us change and grow.