0
3

The five main precepts in Buddhism that make your life better

Knowledge & Practices of Buddhism, 17:10 PM, August, 15 2023
0
3

Do you want to have a moral and happy life as well as to benefit yourself and society? The Buddha showed us the way to achieve that purpose. That is to take refuge in the Three Jewels and especially, observe five precepts. Five precepts that lay Buddhists vow to observe are the foundation of basic morality to fulfil Buddhists' personalities. So what are they?

Precept 1: Refrain from destroying living creatures

As a Buddhist, we need to cultivate the virtue of compassion. We will not take any human's life and minimise the act of killing animals as well as all other living beings. Every sentient being wants and has the right to live. We should treasure the lives of others just like we treasure our own. That's why we should refrain from killing.

Venerable Thich Truc Bao Luc preached five precepts to lay people

Venerable Thich Truc Bao Luc preached five precepts to lay people

Precept 2: Refrain from taking what is not given

Let's practise the mind of equality. Even our property or others' property is gained by blood sweat and tears. Therefore, we should protect the property of others the same way as we protect our own.

A woman attentively listens to teachings at the ceremony of transmitting five precepts

A woman attentively listens to teachings at the ceremony of transmitting five precepts

Precept 3: Refrain from sexual misconduct

All Buddhists who are married must be loyal and faithful to their spouse. If you have an extramarital affair with somebody, you commit adultery. Adultery leads to the breakdown of happiness in the family, and destroys the relation between the husband and the wife. It also causes separation of property and even children, not to mention many other consequences. Therefore, you should never commit adultery.

A young girl sincerely joins her hands at a ceremony of transmitting five precepts

A young girl sincerely joins her hands at a ceremony of transmitting five precepts

Precept 4: Refrain from false speech

The Buddha taught His lay followers not to be dishonest. There are four unwholesome verbal actions, namely lying, making up stories, slandering and crude speech. One of the results of committing those is that you will lose the trust and respect of others, and your career will be unstable. When you sow a seed of lies, the bad fruits you reap are not only in the current life but also in many future ones.

Monks of Ba Vang Pagoda perform rituals at a ceremony of transmitting five precepts

Monks of Ba Vang Pagoda perform rituals at a ceremony of transmitting five precepts

Precept 5: Refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead to carelessness

In Sigalovada Sutra, the Buddha declared that “Killing, stealing, lying and adultery, These four evils the wise never praise.” Besides, The Buddha also prohibited lay Buddhists to be addicted and clearly showed bad effects caused by addiction as follows: "There are, young householder, these six evil consequences in indulging in intoxicants which cause infatuation and heedlessness: (i) loss of wealth, (ii) increase of quarrels, (iii) susceptibility to disease, (iv) earning an evil reputation, (v) shameless exposure of body, (vi) weakening of intellect.” Therefore, once you are a Buddhist, you are not allowed to get addicted to drugs, alcohol, gambling or games. These addictions will affect your physical and mental health. As a Buddhist, we should live a healthy life and set ourselves as good examples to people around us.

A family after the ceremony of taking refuge in the Three Jewels and observing five precepts.

A family after the ceremony of taking refuge in the Three Jewels and observing five precepts.

Those who live a moral life and observe five precepts will be loved and respected by everyone. Therefore, Buddhists should always head towards a moral life and noble virtues so that they can benefit both themselves and society now and in the future.

Read more:

The Three Jewels in Buddhism: The Shelter of Compassion and Wisdom

How to become a lay Buddhist? – Ba Vang Talks: Episode 1

3
Share
Comment (0)

Read more

08:00 AM, August, 23 2023
08:00 AM, August, 23 2023
Ullambana Festival - Lighting up filial piety

Do you know that Ullambana originates from the story of filial piety in the Buddhist sutra? It’s a day for the practice of filial piety towards our parents.

1 11

Ullambana Festival - Lighting up filial piety

09:44 AM, August, 22 2023
09:44 AM, August, 22 2023
The Serpent King protecting the Buddha from the elements

With boundless compassion and unrivaled wisdom, the Buddha was loved and respected by sentient beings in all the realms, of which the story of the serpent king Muchalinda is an example.

2 30

The Serpent King protecting the Buddha from the elements

06:05 AM, August, 16 2023
06:05 AM, August, 16 2023
Four sights motivated Prince Siddhartha to be an ascetic - Life of Buddha: Part 2

Prince Siddhartha lived a luxurious life and was the heir to the throne. But what made him give up everything to be an ascetic? The following article will provide you with detailed information.

0 820

Four sights motivated Prince Siddhartha to be an ascetic - Life of Buddha: Part 2

09:11 AM, August, 13 2023
09:11 AM, August, 13 2023
Early life of Prince Siddhartha Gautama - Life of Budda: Part 1

Buddha Shakyamuni - the founder and leader of Buddhism - was a real figure in history. The path that the Buddha walked was the path to true happiness.

2 171

Early life of Prince Siddhartha Gautama - Life of Budda: Part 1

02:53 AM, August, 11 2023
02:53 AM, August, 11 2023
The Buddha and the Bandit - a story of redemption through the Dharma

“What an extraordinary feat never achieved before, oh the World-Revered One (the Buddha)! Only you can save people that no one in the world can save! Only you can calm the disturbances in people’s minds that no one else in the world can calm. With great compassion, you have saved people from the darkest places, guided them back to the light in a miraculous way. Your deed has made me wonder, with all my power, my weapons, whether there is a way to make people redeem themselves from their evildoings. That question was stuck in my head, and now it has been answered by you.”

1 80

The Buddha and the Bandit - a story of redemption through the Dharma

16:39 PM, August, 10 2023
16:39 PM, August, 10 2023
Who is the Buddha? Was he a real person?

The Buddha was a real person. He was a founder of Buddhism, opening a path to true happiness for all sentient beings!

1 69

Who is the Buddha? Was he a real person?

03:42 AM, August, 01 2023
03:42 AM, August, 01 2023
5 Lessons from the Moon - The Dharma talk by Thay Thich Truc Thai Minh

In Buddhist sutras, the moon is also mentioned a lot. It is a metaphor for wisdom and compassion for its light and refreshment. The moon has 5 qualities that Buddhist practitioners can learn from.

0 108

5 Lessons from the Moon - The Dharma talk by Thay Thich Truc Thai Minh


If you don't know where to start, just click here