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The Precepts of Buddhism
The Precepts of Buddhism derive from the rules that governed the original orders of monks and nuns who followed the Buddha. Each precept carries the same basic message: We must treat each other and ourselves with respect and loving kindness.
The Buddhist Precepts
The Buddhist Precepts are not a list of commandments to follow. Here is an introduction to the Precepts, both Theravada and Mahayana
The Three Pure Precepts
In Buddhism, the basis of morality is not God or a list of Commandments. Instead, Mahayana Buddhism teaches that all moral and ethical teachings arise from the Three Pure Precepts.
The First Buddhist Precept
The first precept of Buddhism -- do not kill -- touches on some of today's hotter issues, from veganism to abortion and euthanasia. Let's take a look at this precept and at what some Buddhist teachers have said about it.
The Second Precept
The Second Precept of Buddhism is "do not steal." Practice of this precept goes beyond merely not taking other people's property.
The Fourth Buddhist Precept
The Fourth Precept tells us to abstain from telling lies. Practice of the Precept goes deeper than simply not lying.
The Fifth Precept
The Fifth Precept of Buddhism, translated from the Pali Canon, is "I undertake the training rule to abstain from fermented and distilled intoxicants which are the basis for heedlessness." Does this mean Buddhists aren't supposed to drink?
Buddhism and Drinking - Is It OK for Buddhists to Drink?
The Fifth Precept of Buddhism, translated from the Pali Canon, is "I undertake the training rule to abstain from fermented and distilled intoxicants which are the basis for heedlessness." Does this mean Buddhists aren't supposed to drink?
The First Buddhist Precept - Discussion of the First Buddhist Precept
The first precept of Buddhism -- do not kill -- touches on some of today's hotter issues, from veganism to abortion and euthanasia. Please share your experiences with the first precept in your Buddhist practice.
The Precepts
Although some schools add more precepts, these five precepts -- sometimes called the Grave Precepts -- are recognized by all schools of Buddhism as the basis of Buddhist morality.
Thich Nhat Hanh's Precepts of Engaged Buddhism
The Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh is a Vietnamese Zen Master, poet and peace activist now living in France. His Fourteen Precepts of Engaged Buddhism are a modern understanding of how a Buddhist manifests compassion in the world.
How Do You Practice the Fourth Buddhist Precept?
Readers discuss how they practice honesty in thought, word and deed.