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Post by Lady Anastasia on Jul 5, 2007 3:25:04 GMT -5
The Five Precepts
Part of the spiritual path in Buddhism involves the following moral rules or 'precepts'. These are the basic moral guidelines that laid down by the Buddha. For the monk, in addition to 227 or so monastic rules, there are ten precepts. For the lay person, however, there are only five, though on certain days, these may be increased to eight or ten. The five precepts are:
1. I undertake to abstain from harming living beings
2. I undertake to abstain from taking what is not given
3. I undertake to abstain from sexual misconduct
4. I undertake to abstain from false speech
5. I undertake to abstain from intoxicating drugs or drink
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Post by Lady Anastasia on Jul 5, 2007 3:27:32 GMT -5
Be Kind to All Creatures
Easier said than done. Most of us, mercifully don't go out of our way to kill living things but how often do we kill an insect or even a small mammal needlessly?
A simple example is the spider in the bath. What do you do? Poor hot water over it and wash it away or cup it gently in your hands and place it somewhere safe?
All you needs is a little patience. I live in a very old house and nature seems to intrude all the time but you don't have to turn to the insecticide every time you see an earwig.
Try to be kind and considerate to all living things, recognizing their right to live as much as your own. All beings are averse to suffering; all beings desire happiness. Despite all our apparent differences, we have these basic impulses in common
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Post by Lady Anastasia on Jul 5, 2007 3:28:29 GMT -5
Give Rather Than Take
In obvious way there are very few of us who go about taking things that aren't ours. Of course, if we do, it's something that we should stop doing straightaway.
However, there are more subtle ways in which we take what doesn't belong to us. We may leave work earlier than we're contracted for, we may cut corners in the quality of the work we provide, we may exaggerate a little on our expenses claim, or not declare all out earnings to the tax man - these are ways that we take what isn't ours.
On the one hand we can avoid taking what is not given. On the other, we can develop a giving nature: this can be monetary or in terms of material gifts but it can just as much be about giving of our time, listening patiently to others, offering physical help or emotional support. Ways of giving are numerous.
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Post by Lady Anastasia on Jul 5, 2007 3:29:14 GMT -5
Avoid Sexual Misconduct
Sexual attraction is something fairly deep-rooted in each of us. What Buddhism teaches is to keep our sexual urges within appropriate boundaries.
Monks and nuns, of course, seek to transcend their sexual desires completely but for the rest of us Buddhism recognizes that sexual desires are bound to come along sooner or later.
What is emphasized, however, is that these should not be directed towards inappropriate persons.
Buddhism sees the importance of fidelity and the dangers of promiscuity and sexual exploitation.
Disappointingly, sometimes sexual desire can just simply get in the way of seeing the other person for what they are in their totality.
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Post by Lady Anastasia on Jul 5, 2007 3:29:54 GMT -5
Be Honest and Open
Buddhism teaches that we should avoid 'false speech', which includes lying and other forms of verbal deceit.
We should be honest and open in our dealings with others, avoiding gossip and tale-bearing. The latter two are ultimately destructive and lead to the breakdown of harmonious and wholesome relations.
If we tell lies, even minor ones, we tend not to feel good about ourselves - one because we are not happy about being deceitful and two because deep down we know that we are avoiding the truth which is beneficial to oneself and everyone else.
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Post by Lady Anastasia on Jul 5, 2007 3:30:42 GMT -5
Avoid Drink and Recreational Drugs
The Buddha saw alcohol and other intoxicating substances as the cause of much harm.
When we drink it is easy to want to drink more and this loss of awareness and inhibitions can lead to destructive behavior.
Many serious accidents occur as a result of alcohol, as well as physical and verbal violence.
The long term effects of the misuse of alcohol are also cause for concern with increased risks of cancer, osteoporosis, pancreatitis, heart disease and stroke.
If total absence is not something you wish to accept, then at least drinking in moderation should be the aim.
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Post by Senbecc on Jul 5, 2007 3:44:49 GMT -5
I undertake to abstain from harming living beings Be Kind to All Creatures Easier said than done. Most of us, mercifully don't go out of our way to kill living things but how often do we kill an insect or even a small mammal needlessly? A simple example is the spider in the bath. What do you do? Poor hot water over it and wash it away or cup it gently in your hands and place it somewhere safe? All you needs is a little patience. I live in a very old house and nature seems to intrude all the time but you don't have to turn to the insecticide every time you see an earwig. Try to be kind and considerate to all living things, recognizing their right to live as much as your own. All beings are averse to suffering; all beings desire happiness. Despite all our apparent differences, we have these basic impulses in common My only problem is how do you ever do this? In order for this to work you couldn't eat...Even plant life are living things? I mean no disrespect to Buddhism but it sounds to me like "an it harm none"...How can you possibly live up to it?
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Post by Lady Anastasia on Jul 5, 2007 3:55:41 GMT -5
I undertake to abstain from harming living beings Be Kind to All Creatures Easier said than done. Most of us, mercifully don't go out of our way to kill living things but how often do we kill an insect or even a small mammal needlessly? A simple example is the spider in the bath. What do you do? Poor hot water over it and wash it away or cup it gently in your hands and place it somewhere safe? All you needs is a little patience. I live in a very old house and nature seems to intrude all the time but you don't have to turn to the insecticide every time you see an earwig. Try to be kind and considerate to all living things, recognizing their right to live as much as your own. All beings are averse to suffering; all beings desire happiness. Despite all our apparent differences, we have these basic impulses in common My only problem is how do you ever do this? In order for this to work you couldn't eat...Even plant life are living things? I mean no disrespect to Buddhism but it sounds to me like "an it harm none"...How can you possibly live up to it? Yes, I see your point. I think the key word there was needlessly killing... People have to eat, it's one of those necessities...
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Finn
Philosopher
Posts: 153
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Post by Finn on Jul 5, 2007 9:54:43 GMT -5
The five precepts are: 1. I undertake to abstain from harming living beings 2. I undertake to abstain from taking what is not given 3. I undertake to abstain from sexual misconduct 4. I undertake to abstain from false speech 5. I undertake to abstain from intoxicating drugs or drink I am very pleased that you make the distinction in this discussion between a Monk and a layperson. This is often left out in discussions Buddhism by non-practitioners. Of course, I consider Buddhism to be alien in mindset, perhaps the exact opposite of my own beliefs and certainly theologically adverse to many notions most Neo-Pagans hold. I suppose I should expand on that. On the surface Buddhism has a lot of tenets which seem the same, such as comparing the Wiccan notion of "Harm None" with their rules against harming living things. But theologically Buddhism is light years away from Pagan concepts, ancient or neo. 1. Buddhism seeks to escape the cycle, the ultimate goal being to break from the wheel and be free of all personal concerns, ego, or sense of self. Most Pagans see life and enternity as a circular and that this is a GOOD thing. Buddhists do not. They see it as eternal suffering and torment to teach us until we escape it. While most Pagans exalt in an eternal reality of living and seasons, Buddhists see it as an ordeal which they will one day escape (not unlike Christians). 2. Buddhism sees all sense of self as ego and thus bad. One should not seek to exalt personal choice or distinction. This merely adds to the white noise which will distract you from the true purpose. Most Pagans seek to know themselves through personal ego, through identity, and find the divine in themselves. This is the opposite of those who see all reality as an illusion as well as all notions of self. Being consumed by the comsic all seems both alien and horrifying to me. 3. Buddhism does not discount Gods, Goddesses, spirits, and all manner of things inbetween. However, it finds such entities to be at worst distractions, and at best irrelevant. This world and all such beings are illusions and bad unless they serve the one purpose of escaping eternal reincarnation. Pagans and Neo-Pagans of course, do not see the divine in this way, although defining how the myriad of them do see the divine would be impossible here.
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Post by Lady Anastasia on Jul 6, 2007 23:49:26 GMT -5
Finn, thank you for your input on the post, I've been meaning to comment, I just kept forgetting to
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Finn
Philosopher
Posts: 153
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Post by Finn on Jul 7, 2007 8:56:00 GMT -5
Finn, thank you for your input on the post, I've been meaning to comment, I just kept forgetting to No rush. It is the nature of the "posting discussion" that conversations can take months or even years to finish.
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