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1. Not killing or causing harm to other living beings. This is the fundamental ethical principle for Buddhism, and all the other precepts are elaborations of this. The precept implies acting non-violently wherever possible, and many Buddhists are vegetarian for this reason. The positive counterpart of this precept is love.
2. Not taking the not-given. Stealing is an obvious way in which one can harm others. One can also take advantage of people, exploit them, or manipulate them. All these can be seen as ways of taking the not given. The positive counterpart of this precept is generosity.
3. Avoiding sexual misconduct. Over the centuries different Buddhist schools have interpreted this precept in many ways, but essentially it means not causing harm to oneself or others in the area of sexual activity. It includes avoiding breaking commitments in the area of sexual relations, and avoiding encouraging others to do the same. The positive counterpart of this precept is contentment.
4. Avoiding false speech. Speech is the crucial element in our relations with others, and yet language is a slippery medium, and we often deceive ourselves or others without even realising that this is what we are doing. Truthfulness, the positive counterpart of this precept, is therefore essential in an ethical life. But truthfulness is not enough, and in another list of precepts (the ten precepts or the ten kusala dharmas) no fewer than four speech precepts are mentioned, the others enjoining that our speech should be kindly, helpful, and harmonious.
5. Abstaining from drink and drugs that cloud the mind. The positive counterpart of this precept is mindfulness, or awareness. Mindfulness is a fundamental quality to be developed the Buddha’s path, and experience shows that taking intoxicating drink or drugs tends to run directly counter to this.
Credit to: https://thebuddhistcentre.com/text/ethics
My father embarked on a journey to dwell deeper into the concepts of Buddhism and I’m beginning to follow his footsteps. There is a temple near where I live that I’m going to stop by to get the full experience and hopefully commit to this amazing path.
I’ve never been much of a religious person. I always thought the Bible was rather contradictory and a mix between both love and hate. I could never justify the faith that my other family members seemed to have. I constantly felt left out but I just didn’t feel content “believing” and “worshiping” something I didn’t feel within.
I’m a happy, loving person who wishes for peace world wide and wants to end all problems but I never could see the sense in achieving those through religion. Don’t get me wrong, if you practice a faith then I’m happy for you! I’m not against religions, I just never found the faith myself.
Buddhism isn’t really a religion, more so precepts and preachings about life. Buddha never once said he was a God or deemed himself Holy.
This is the path I’m choosing and it’s a path I’ve never felt more happy to take.
kalyana mitrata