Buddhist Precepts

The main set of guidelines followed by lay Buddhists are the pancasila, or "five precepts", whose focus is on avoiding morally bad behaviour.

As written in the Pali Canon (the earliest Buddhist text), they are:
1)To refrain from taking life
2)To refrain from taking that which is not freely given (stealing)
3)To refrain from sexual misconduct (improper sexual behavior)
4)To refrain from lying and deceiving
5)To refrain from intoxicants which lead to loss of mindfulness.

You will sometimes see them written in the following form:
I undertake the training rule to abstain from (taking life, stealing, etc)

Considered to be the basis of all Buddhist morality, and sometimes referred to as the Three Root Precepts, these are generally practised by the Mahayana schools.

They first appear in the Dhammapada text, which says:
"To avoid all evil, to cultivate good, and to cleanse one's mind -- this is the teaching of the Buddhas."

At the most basic level, these precepts seem incredibly simple: To do no evil; to do good; and to save all beings or help all to achieve enlightenment...

Yet, while the Three Pure Precepts seem utterly simple, they are profoundly important. Even a child can understand them, but even a wise adult may struggle to practice completely.

As presented in the Mahayana sutra called the Brahmajala, the ten precepts followed by most adherents to this school are:

1)Not killing
2)Not stealing
3)Not misusing sex
4)Not lying
5)Not abusing intoxicants
6)Not talking about others' errors and faults
7)Not praising oneself or blaming others
8)Not being stingy
9)Not being angry
10) Not speaking ill of the Three Jewels.

The Ten Grand Precepts as stated as the training rules for Buddhist novice monks and nuns are:

1)Refrain from killing any living thing.
2)Refrain from stealing.
3)Refrain from sexual misconduct (sensuality, sexuality, lust).
4)Refrain from lying.
5)Refrain from taking intoxicants.
6)Refrain from taking food at inappropriate times (after noon).
7)Refrain from singing, dancing, playing music or attending entertainment programs (performances).
8)Refrain from wearing perfume, cosmetics and garland (decorative accessories).
9)Refrain from sitting on high chairs and sleeping on luxurious, soft beds.
10) Refrain from accepting money.

When spoken of as the Sixteen Boddhisatva Voews, the precepts usually refer to the Ten Grand Precepts plus theThree Pure Precepts and include the Three Refuges.

Taking refuge in The Three Jewels:
I take refuge in the Buddha
I take refuge in the Dharma
I take refuge in the Sangha

The Three Pure Precepts of:
Not Creating Evil
Practicing Good
Actualizing Good For Others

(Ten Grave Precepts)
Affirm life; Do not kill
Be giving; Do not steal
Honor the body; Do not misuse sexuality
Manifest truth; Do not lie
Proceed clearly; Do not cloud the mind
See the perfection; Do not speak of others' errors and faults
Realize self and other as one; Do not elevate the self and blame others
Give generously; Do not be withholding
Actualize harmony; Do not be angry
Experience the intimacy of things; Do not defile the Three Treasures




Three Fold Buddha

Art Print

36 in. x 12 in.
Buy at AllPosters.com
Framed   Mounted