Five Precepts

The 'Five Precepts is a Buddhist term for a formal sacrament given by an ordained Monk or Nun and initiated by the founder Shakyamuni Buddha. The Five Precepts are an obligatory morality in the the Buddhist religion such that one is not considered a Buddhist unless one both receives the Five Precepts as lay-person vows and "Takes Refuge" (Refuge of Faith and [[[Hope]]) in the Buddha, Dharma (teachings - Buddhist scripture) , and Sangha (religious community of monks and nuns).

The Five Precepts are the foundation for Buddhist virtue.

The Five Precepts are Lay Person Religious Vows

1. No killing (this means This means "Thou shalt not kill", no murder, no abortion, no euthanasia, no suicide or assisted suicide. For some Chinese and Vietnamese Buddhists this means be vegetarian - see religious vegetarianism. Buddhist is not against the death penalty)
2. No stealing (This means "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods")
3. No sexual misconduct, sexual immorality or lust (this means "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife", sexual morality and includes chastity until marriage, fidelity in marriage, celibacy for monks and nuns and no homosexuality. It also means no premarital sex or adultery and no abortion - see abortion and promiscuity)
4. No lying (this implies honesty but also includes no harsh speech, no divisive speech, no gossip, no lewd and lascivious speech / vulgar speech or cursing. This means "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor")
5. No alcoholic beverages (in the modern world this also means no smoking or using an recreational drugs. This means temperance)

Additional Buddhist morality, like that of the Ten Commandments, is to be Filial meaning to "Honor thy father and thy mother". Respect of elders including one's father and mother is important in Buddhism morality and practice.

Liberal Distortions of Buddhism

In the modern world many people speak of Buddhism as a philosophy or as only a "be present in the now" sort of meditation-contemplation, but the core teaching (Dharma) of Buddhism is one of morality combined with the cultivation of compassion ("benefit others more than yourself") and wisdom. There are liberals who call themselves "Buddhists" but are not at all according to traditional orthodox Buddhism since they did not "Take Refuge" nor did they receive the Five Precepts, let alone follow that required Buddhist morality. Such liberals incorrectly speak of Buddhism as supporting post modern moral relativism (See Liberal hedonism).

Five Precepts are Part of the Ten Perfections

1. Generosity or Charity
2. Morality of the Five Precepts
3. Patience
4. Joyful Perseverance (Persistence and Moral Fortitude or Moral Courage)
5. Meditation
6. Wisdom (Interdependence, Prudence, Humility of "No Self")
7. Skillful Means or Expedient Means
8. Great Vows
9. Great Strength
10. Great Wisdom or Buddhahood

See Also

• Virtue
• Buddhism
• Cause and effect
• Morality versus Immorality
• Compare and Contrast with the Ten Commandments
• Moral degeneration
• Moral relativism
• Amoral
• Essay:Immorality in America
• Abortion - Abortion and promiscuity
• Sexual immorality: Promiscuity and Homosexuality / Homosexual agenda verus Chastity, Purity, Celibacy
• Christianity in Conservapedia
• Bioethics
• Values
  • Conservative values
  • Libertarian values
  • American values
  • Small town values
  • Family values

versus:

• • Liberal values
  • Public school values
  • Hollywood values
  • San Francisco values and the Homosexual Agenda: Homosexuality and Promiscuity
  • Fashion industry values
  • Professor values