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" in the Buddha, Dharma (teachings - Buddhist scripture) , and Sangha (religious community of monks and nuns).

The Five Precepts are Lay Person Religious Vows

1. No killing
2. No stealing
3. No sexual misconduct
4. No lying (also includes no harsh speech, no divisive speech, no gossip, no lewd and lascivious speech / vulgar speech or cursing)
5. No alcoholic beverages (in the modern world this also means no smoking or using an recreation drugs)

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 Also

• Buddhism
• Cause and effect
• Morality
• Ten Commandments
• Immorality
• Moral relativism
• Amoral
• Essay:Immorality in America
• Moral degeneration
• 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
  • Fashion industry values
  • Professor values