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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 [[vow]]s 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'' 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 [[vow]]s and "Takes Refuge" ([[Refuge]]-[[Reliance]] 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 the foundation for Buddhist [[virtue]].
Additional Buddhist morality, like that of the Ten Commandments, is to be [[Filial]] meaning to [[Ten Commandments|"Honor thy father and thy mother"]]. [[Respect]] of [[elder]]s including one's [[father]] and [[mother]] is important in Buddhism morality and practice.
Additional Buddhist morality, like that of the Ten Commandments, is to be [[Filial]] meaning to [[Ten Commandments|"Honor thy father and thy mother"]]. [[Respect]] of [[elder]]s including one's [[father]] and [[mother]] is important in Buddhism morality and practice.
==Repentance via the Four Opponent Powers==
When a Buddhist breaks one of the Five Precepts, they do [[Confession]] using the "Four Opponent Powers".
Confession implies [[Repentance]] and [[Reform]]:
# '''The power of [[Reliance]]''' on the objects of Refuge ([[Buddha]]-[[Dharma]]-Sangha) and the generation of Bodhichitta (the [[resolve]] for [[Enlightenment]] for the sake of all sentient beings). This means "[[Intercession]]" - as in "Intercede".
# '''The power of [[Regret]]''': "[[Sorrow]]"
# '''The power of [[Resolution]]''': [[Vow]] not to engage again in negative karmic actions ([[sin]] or bad [[cause and effect]]. This is called [[Resolve]], [[Vow]], "Firm Purpose of Amendment" - as in "Resolve to Make [[amends]]"
# '''The power of [[Remedy]]''': This means applying an [[antidote]] such as [[Prayer]], Mantra and [[Genuflect]]ing or bowing -- Do "[[Penance]]" - as in "Actually making amends"
==Liberal Distortions of Buddhism==
==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 [[liberal]]s 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 modernism|post modern]] [[moral relativism]] (See [[Liberal hedonism]]).
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 [[liberal]]s 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 modernism|post modern]] [[moral relativism]] (See [[Liberal hedonism]]).
==Five Precepts are Part of the Ten Perfections==
==Five Precepts are Part of the Ten Perfections of the [[Altruism|Altruistic]] Attitude==
# [[Generosity]] or [[Charity]]
# '''[[Generosity]]''' ([[Charity]]-[[Philanthropy]]- [[Benevolence]]: "Benefit others more than yourself.")
# [[Morality]] of the Five Precepts
# '''[[Morality]]''' of the Five Precepts - [[Renunciation]] of [[immorality]] and the [[cause and effect|causes]] of [[suffering]] (the causes are always based in [[immorality]] or [[amoral]] behavior.
# [[Patience]]
# '''[[Patience]]''' (implies [[Forgiveness]] and [[Endurance]])
# Joyful [[Perseverance]] ([[Persistence]] and Moral [[Fortitude]] or Moral [[Courage]])
# '''Joyful [[Perseverance]]''' ([[Persistence]], [[Determination]] and Moral [[Fortitude]] or Moral [[Courage]])
# [[Meditation]]
# '''[[Meditation]]''' ([[Calm]] Abiding or Making the [[mind]] have deeply [[Kapha|relaxed]] [[Pitta|focused]] [[Vata|awareness]] for [[contemplation]] of [[morality]]-[[compassion]]-[[wisdom]])
# [[Wisdom]] ([[Interdependence]], [[Prudence]], [[Humility]] of "No Self")
# '''[[Wisdom]]''' ([[Interdependence]], [[Understanding]] [[Cause and effect]], [[Prudence]], [[Humility]] of "No Self")
# Skillful Means or Expedient Means
# '''Skillful Means''' or Expedient Means (Use the "medicine" according to the particular "disease" and "patient")
# Great [[Vow]]s
# '''Great [[Vow]]s''' (to get [[Enlightenment|Enlightened]] in order to better "Benefit others more than yourself.")
# Great [[Strength]]
# '''Great [[Strength]]'''
# Great [[Wisdom]] or [[Buddha]]hood
# '''Great [[Wisdom]]''' ([[Buddha]]hood)
== See Also ==
== See Also ==