The Five Precepts
The moral and ethical code of conduct.
These key ethical guidelines when followed are how you should live your life and how to act towards others around you. Unlike other religions, breaking these rules won’t subject you to punishment by some other worldly entity; although the rule of Karma will come into play.
If you break the rules, you should reflect on them and find ways to rectify them or avoid them in the future. We’re all human so it is safe to say that abiding by these is not easy in some respects. These are here for your peace of mind and for the respect and happiness of others around you, helping to live compassionately and in harmony with the world around you.
Practical Precept Application.
It is important to practice these over time, although they are not always easy to carry out, conforming to these five basic precepts protects you from adverse consequences. The main aim of a Buddhist is get rid of suffering, and therefore following the Five Precepts is an important way to help Buddhists avoid causing others to suffer.
Practical and logical rules.
Avoid harming living beings
It’s safe to say killing each other is a big no no, paid or otherwise. Every living being has a right to live and you do not have the right to take life. You should avoid killing anything that is alive and avoid a livelihood that may involve this.
Avoid taking what is not given
Theft and taking what is not rightfully yours should also be avoided, taking someone else’s hard earned gains will have a greater impact to them and eventually an even greater one on you and your mind. Karma will find you and you will pay for anything you’ve taken in other ways, this will be detrimental to you and your life.
Avoid harmful sexual activity
Buddhism doesn’t discourage you from having sex, it promotes healthy sexual engagement. What it teaches you is to avoid activity that causes harm, discomfort or non consenting sexual activity, be it by you or others. Pornography, prostitution where someone is at risk, pressured sex and adulatory are all a types of harmful activity.
Avoid saying what is not true
Be truthful to yourself and to others around you. Lying is a negative and a debilitating affliction that dehumanises people. You cannot live true to yourself and the environment around you if you are falsifying your existence. Avoid lying to others, you cannot maintain a web of lies over a period of time as you will become unstuck as the truth be known. It’s best to be up front and honest, failing this, avoid the conversation entirely and practice right mindfulness.
Avoid clouding your mind.
Avoid substances that cloud the mind and judgement. Alcohol switches the mind, enhancing our ego to then put us in a position where we cannot make right choices. Our judgement when thinking, speaking and acting is skewed and you’re open to causing harm to yourself and others around you. This also includes cocaine, heroin and any manufactured drug that has the ability to take control of your mind and actions negatively, and these should be avoided.