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LET'S GIVE A BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE 5 PRECEPTS IN BUDDHISM
NO KILLING
Many religions and people prescribe to this precept. Buddhist teachings take this precept a bit farther to include not eating meat, or even killing insects as a way of developing a compassionate heart. Actually, you don't have to be a Buddhist to practice this. That's the point, Buddhist teachings are an education first. By participating in not killing, you can contribute to society, increase your positive energy and develop blessings of merit and virtue. It is the fastest and easiest way to begin practicing self improvement. If it seems extreme to you, you can try to cut back on your meat intake each week and investigate for yourself. Modern science is also catching up to this principle. There is a lot of research and proof of the harmful effects on the body from meat intake.
NO LYING
It's pretty straight forward, but can you do it? No lying also extends to abusive speech, gossiping and even idle talking. (talking about nothing or things that are of no use to say) This would include swearing, calling names, heavy criticisms, even just scathing comments etc. Ah, now the real test comes in! How about little "white lies" ? What's the harm? When we practice this precept, we should ask ourselves if what we are saying is the correct thing at the correct time. Sometimes we don't blurt out the truth to others if it would hurt their feelings. Timing and sensitivity should be learned when practicing this precept. They are flexible and it should be observed and investigated to be understood fully.
NO TAKING DRUGS/INTOXICANTS
Most everyone knows why this is so, they just may not agree. If I just have one glass of beer, what is the problem? One glass might be fine, but what is the reason behind it? By practicing this precept, you can get to know yourself better and manage your stress and emotions. If you drink to "unwind," or to leave your problems behind, its not a permanent solution. 9 times out of 10, drinking leads to breaking some or all of the other precepts. Unless taken for medicinal purposes, such as warming the body a little in winter or helping circulation, drinking does not help you to cultivate your best potential. This is the concept behind this precept.
NO STEALING
Innately we know we shouldn't steal, but do we follow this at all times? We should try to follow the law, and not take even one penny from another person that does not rightly belong to us. The no stealing precept can be practiced more deeply even, to include not being envious or jealous of another person's property or success. The jealousy is a type of poison that prevents a person from seeing clearly or becoming the best person they can be.
NO SEXUAL MISCONDUCT
No sexual misconduct starts first and foremost with being faithful to your partner, with whom you have a long term commitment to. This precept is ideally about being married when sexually active, and refraining from sexual activity when not married. If you are not yet ready to do this, the 2nd best is being totally committed to another person for your life. By bouncing from relationship to relationship, you are creating a lot of karma for yourself. Loneliness, lack of discipline, fear of commitment, restlessness and impatience are just some of the effects of being sexually promiscuous. Whereas, if you can refrain from following your sexual desire and work toward having more harmonious and respectful relationship, you will develop virtue, clarity, happiness, and calmness.
On the deeper side of following the precept of no sexual misconduct, would be to avoid fantasizing or thinking sexually about the opposite sex. This may seem impossible, but by practicing this you will develop a higher level of concentration and wisdom. You will eventually not be at the mercy of your passions, but rather in control of yourself and able to be happier with self empowerment. Watching pornography and indulging excessively in sexual activity, either alone or with a partner, will also leave you feeling depressed, scattered, and dissatisfied. All messages in the world now point toward indulgence, but no one tells you that the effect can wear you down and shorten your lifespan! Even in Daoist teachings, sexual activity slowly depletes a body of it's vital force, shortening your life from a possible 150 years old to approximately 75 or 80. Discipline, awareness, patience and harmony are key. This precept is one of the most difficult to practice, but yields great results.
Many religions and people prescribe to this precept. Buddhist teachings take this precept a bit farther to include not eating meat, or even killing insects as a way of developing a compassionate heart. Actually, you don't have to be a Buddhist to practice this. That's the point, Buddhist teachings are an education first. By participating in not killing, you can contribute to society, increase your positive energy and develop blessings of merit and virtue. It is the fastest and easiest way to begin practicing self improvement. If it seems extreme to you, you can try to cut back on your meat intake each week and investigate for yourself. Modern science is also catching up to this principle. There is a lot of research and proof of the harmful effects on the body from meat intake.
NO LYING
It's pretty straight forward, but can you do it? No lying also extends to abusive speech, gossiping and even idle talking. (talking about nothing or things that are of no use to say) This would include swearing, calling names, heavy criticisms, even just scathing comments etc. Ah, now the real test comes in! How about little "white lies" ? What's the harm? When we practice this precept, we should ask ourselves if what we are saying is the correct thing at the correct time. Sometimes we don't blurt out the truth to others if it would hurt their feelings. Timing and sensitivity should be learned when practicing this precept. They are flexible and it should be observed and investigated to be understood fully.
NO TAKING DRUGS/INTOXICANTS
Most everyone knows why this is so, they just may not agree. If I just have one glass of beer, what is the problem? One glass might be fine, but what is the reason behind it? By practicing this precept, you can get to know yourself better and manage your stress and emotions. If you drink to "unwind," or to leave your problems behind, its not a permanent solution. 9 times out of 10, drinking leads to breaking some or all of the other precepts. Unless taken for medicinal purposes, such as warming the body a little in winter or helping circulation, drinking does not help you to cultivate your best potential. This is the concept behind this precept.
NO STEALING
Innately we know we shouldn't steal, but do we follow this at all times? We should try to follow the law, and not take even one penny from another person that does not rightly belong to us. The no stealing precept can be practiced more deeply even, to include not being envious or jealous of another person's property or success. The jealousy is a type of poison that prevents a person from seeing clearly or becoming the best person they can be.
NO SEXUAL MISCONDUCT
No sexual misconduct starts first and foremost with being faithful to your partner, with whom you have a long term commitment to. This precept is ideally about being married when sexually active, and refraining from sexual activity when not married. If you are not yet ready to do this, the 2nd best is being totally committed to another person for your life. By bouncing from relationship to relationship, you are creating a lot of karma for yourself. Loneliness, lack of discipline, fear of commitment, restlessness and impatience are just some of the effects of being sexually promiscuous. Whereas, if you can refrain from following your sexual desire and work toward having more harmonious and respectful relationship, you will develop virtue, clarity, happiness, and calmness.
On the deeper side of following the precept of no sexual misconduct, would be to avoid fantasizing or thinking sexually about the opposite sex. This may seem impossible, but by practicing this you will develop a higher level of concentration and wisdom. You will eventually not be at the mercy of your passions, but rather in control of yourself and able to be happier with self empowerment. Watching pornography and indulging excessively in sexual activity, either alone or with a partner, will also leave you feeling depressed, scattered, and dissatisfied. All messages in the world now point toward indulgence, but no one tells you that the effect can wear you down and shorten your lifespan! Even in Daoist teachings, sexual activity slowly depletes a body of it's vital force, shortening your life from a possible 150 years old to approximately 75 or 80. Discipline, awareness, patience and harmony are key. This precept is one of the most difficult to practice, but yields great results.
