The 5 Precepts of Buddhism

The foundation of Buddhist ethics

The Five Precepts are a summarized grouping of instructions that come from the Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood components of The Noble Eightfold Path, which is Buddhism’s prescription for achieving enlightenment and freedom from suffering.

The purpose of The Five Precepts is to provide behavioral guidelines that help individuals produce good karma and stay comfortably on their path to enlightenment. It’s also believed that these precepts are the foundational key to a harmonious society.

1. Abstain From Taking Life

This is why so many Buddhists are vegetarian. Every sentient being is just trying to escape their own suffering too, and it’s hard to live a peaceful life and work towards enlightenment if you or your environment is full of violence.

Rather than taking life, Buddhism suggests we develop the kindness and compassion needed to promote it. Instead of killing our enemies, we could work to make friends out of them, or at least just avoid them.

2. Abstain From Taking What Is Not Given

In other words: do not steal. Just like it’s hard to develop spiritually in a violent environment, it’s also hard in a distrustful environment where the things you rely on could disappear at any moment. Stealing also often leads to violence.

Rather than taking the not given, Buddhism suggests we develop the virtues of generosity and renunciation. A starving man doesn’t need to steal his bread if a neighbor would feed him.

3. Abstain From Sexual Misconduct

A particular form of taking what’s not given, sexual misconduct can only disrupt the harmony of individuals and society. Here too is another opportunity for violence to be created, which should be avoided.

Instead of taking the not given sexually or breaking the faith of a partner, Buddhism suggests we develop contentment in ourselves and faithfulness in our partner.

4. Abstain From False Speech

False speech is anything that is meant to deceive. Again, trust is a key to harmonious…