The Five Precepts
Are there any commandments for a Buddhis to observe ?
There are no commandments
but precepts to observe.
What is the Pali word for
precept ?
Sikkhapada.
What does it mean
?
It means
discipline or good behaviour.
What is the first precept
?
The
first precept is not to kill living beings.
What is the second
precept ?
The second precept is not to steal.
What is the third precept
?
The
third precept is not to have sexual misconduct.
What is the fourth
precept ?
The fourth precept is not to lie.
What is the fifth precept
?
The
fifth precept is not to drink liquor or take drugs which leads to carelessness.
Give the first precept in
Pali.
Panatipata veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami.
What does it mean
?
I take
the precept to give up killing living beings.
Give the second precept
in Pali.
Adinnadana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami.
What does it mean
?
I take
the precept to give up stealing.
Give the third precept in
Pali.
Kamesumicchacara veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami.
What does it mean
?
I take
the precept to give up sexual misconduct.
Give the fourth precept
in Pali.
Musavada veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami.
What does it mean
?
I take
the precept to give up lying.
Give the fifth precept in
Pali.
Surameraya majjapamadatthana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami.
What does it mean
?
I take
the precept to give up drinking liquor and taking substances which lead to
infatuation and carelessness.
How does one become a
good Buddhist ?
By observing these five precepts well.
Why do you not kill
?
I do not
kill out of compassion for others.
What is the good of
giving up killing ?
Every being loves it's life like we do, killing brings
suffering to them and so to ourself aswell.
Why do you not steal
?
I do not
steal because I have no right to take what is not given.
What is the good of
giving up stealing ?
I become honest and will not be deprived from my own
property by others.
Why do you not indulge in
sexual misconduct ?
I do not indulge in sexual misconduct because it leads to
suffering for those involved and myself.
What is the good of
giving up sexual misconduct ?
It will protect families fom breaking up.
Why do you not lie
?
I do not
lie because nobody would then believe me.
What is the good of
giving up lying ?
I become truthful and trustful and there will be no quarreling without
having wrong speech.
Why do you not drink
liquor or take drugs ?
I do not drink and take drugs because it leads to
carelessness and loss of a sense of shame.
What is the good of
giving up drinking ?
I become very careful and my senses become very clear and so
I will not bring myself or others into dangerous situations (i. e. when driving
a car drunken).
