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The Five Precepts The precepts are a condensed form of Buddhist ethical practice. They are
often compared with the ten commandments of Christianity, however, the precepts
are different in two respects: First, they are to be taken as recommendations,
not commandments. This means the individual is encouraged to use his/her own
intelligence to apply these rules in the best possible way. Second, it is the
spirit of the precepts -not the text- that counts, hence, the guidelines for
ethical conduct must be seen in the larger context of the Eightfold Path.
The first five precepts are mandatory for every Buddhist, although the fifth
precept is often not observed, because it bans the consumption of alcohol.
Precepts no. six to ten are laid out for those in preparation for monastic life
and for devoted lay people unattached to families. The eight precepts put
together number eight and nine and omit the tenth. Lay people may observe the
eight precepts on Buddhist festival days. Ordained Theravada monks undertake no
less than 227 precepts, which are not listed here.
I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from ...
- ...harming living beings.
- ...taking things not freely given.
- ...sexual misconduct.
- ...false speech.
- ...intoxicating drinks and drugs causing heedlessness.
- ...taking untimely meals.
- ...dancing, singing, music and watching grotesque mime.
- ...use of garlands, perfumes and personal adornment.
- ...use of high seats.
- ...accepting gold or silver.
The above phrasing of the precepts is very concise and leaves much open to
interpretation. One might ask, for example, what exactly constitutes false
speech, what are untimely meals, what constitutes sexual misconduct, or whether
a glass of wine causes heedlessness. And, the grotesque mime watching of the
seventh precept sounds perhaps a bit outdated. The Buddhist master Thich Nath
Hanh has formulated The Five Mindfulness Trainings, which are an adaptation of
the first five Buddhist precepts. These are practised by Buddhists of the Lam Te
Dhyana school. By virtue of their sensible phrasing and their relevance to
modern lifestyle, these "trainings" provide a valuable foundation of ethics for
all of humanity.
(according to Thich Nath Hanh, www.plumvillage.org)
-First Training-
Aware of the suffering caused by the destruction of life, I am committed to
cultivating compassion and learning ways to protect the lives of people,
animals, plants, and minerals. I am determined not to kill, not to let others
kill, and not to condone any act of killing in the world, in my thinking, and in
my way of life.
-Second Training-
Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing,
and oppression, I am committed to cultivate loving kindness and learn ways to
work for the well-being of people, animals, plants, and minerals. I am committed
to practice generosity by sharing my time, energy, and material resources with
those who are in real need. I am determined not to steal and not to possess
anything that should belong to others. I will respect the property of others,
but I will prevent others from profiting from human suffering or the suffering
of other species on Earth.
-Third Training-
Aware of the suffering caused by sexual misconduct, I am committed to
cultivate responsibility and learn ways to protect the safety and integrity of
individuals, couples, families, and society. I am determined not to engage in
sexual relations without love and a long-term commitment. To preserve the
happiness of myself and others, I am determined to respect my commitments and
the commitments of others. I will do everything in my power to protect children
from sexual abuse and to prevent couples and families from being broken by
sexual misconduct.
-Fourth Training-
Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen
to others, I am committed to cultivate loving speech and deep listening in order
to bring joy and happiness to others and relieve others of their suffering.
Knowing that words can create happiness or suffering, I am committed to learn to
speak truthfully, with words that inspire self-confidence, joy, and hope. I am
determined not to spread news that I do not know to be certain and not to
criticise or condemn things of which I am not sure. I will refrain from uttering
words that can cause division or discord, or that can cause the family or the
community to break. I will make all efforts to reconcile and resolve all
conflicts, however small.
-Fifth Training-
Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I am committed to
cultivate good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my family, and my
society by practising mindful eating, drinking, and consuming. I am committed to
ingest only items that preserve peace, well-being, and joy in my body, in my
consciousness, and in the collective body and consciousness of my family and
society. I am determined not to use alcohol or any other intoxicant or to ingest
foods or other items that contain toxins, such as certain TV programs,
magazines, books, films, and conversations. I am aware that to damage my body or
my consciousness with these poisons is to betray my ancestors, my parents, my
society, and future generations. I will work to transform violence, fear, anger,
and confusion in myself and in society by practising a diet for myself and for
society. I understand that a proper diet is crucial for self-transformation and
for the transformation of society.
Part of the information of this page is extracted from :
www.thebigview.com
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