The Five Precepts

At the root, these are probably the underlying "morals" of Buddhism. These are the things that non-clergy Buddhist follow at the most basic level. There are other Precepts for monks and nuns, etc, but the average person does not follow them except for specific holy days.

The Precept is written in the original Pali, translated to English, and then my interpretation below. This is my personal opinion, based on my experiences and what I have learned. Feel free to challenge them, intergrate them into your own life, and make them part of you.

 

1. Panatipata veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living creatures.

My take on this: this is something I have to work on. I still eat meat, and used to hunt. Much of what I feel stems from this:

  • If you feed from animals that have not been slaughtered specifically for you, it's OK. Not great, but OK
  • If you are required by financial or health constraints to consume meat, that's fine.
  • If you hunt, and use it to supplement your diet (as my family has done in the past), and do not hunt for sport, that's OK too.
    •

    I eat simply. I can give or take meat. If it's there, i'll eat it, but I'm just as fine with cooking up a bunch of pasta.

    The other part of this is killing, and it is something I would not do unless in defense of myself or others, and if there was no other option to stop harm. I train in a martial art, for the express purpose to have such options. I can pin someone to the ground, or disable them temporarily, with confidence in what I do. This way, there is less risk of me injuring someone in such a way that is serious or fatal.

    The key here is ending cruelty. The intention of this precept is to not cause harm.

    2. Adinnadana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
    I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given.

    Stealing is bad. I mean, how would you feel if someone boosted your stereo? This includes anything from physical theft to stealing people's ideas and using them as your own without proper credit. From someone who profited in college from selling term papers, I know...

    Regardless of the legal ramifications, you also have kamma conditions to consider. Such things will come around and bite you on the ass. As well, earning what it yours is good kammic action, as you appreciate your hard work. In turn, you will feel good about it, and about all things by extension. This will make you a more pleasant person, who wil show this pleasantness on his or her actions. Others will see this, and will feel good about you.

    So don't steal!!!

    3. Kamesu micchacara veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
    I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual misconduct.

    OK, this does not mean that you should not have sex (::all the college students come back to the site::). What it means is that you should avoid causing unwanted suffering in your sexual activities. Below is a list of what I think is misconduct:

  • Rape and sexual assault
  • Drugging someone so that they can't resist or have their judgement severely impaired.
  • Using emotion leverage against someone in order to 'bully' or manipulate them into sex.
  • Sex under false pretenses ("Of course I love you..." or "The world is ending in a half hour, let's shag!")
  • "Cheating" on your partner or partners, or otherwise being dishonest in your relationships.
  • Wildly promiscuous behavior that may endanger your partners' health or mental well-being.
  • Incest, beastiality, and other such stuff I think is nasty and foul.
    •

    On the other hand, stuff like this is OK.

  • Abstinence (yes, abstinence...)
  • Having responsible sex and using the appropriate precautions.
  • Polyamory, so long as everyone knows (otherwise it is cheating) and is responsible.
  • Monogamy, as long as everyone is honest about it.
  • Knowing what the expectations are before you do the deed (are we having a relationship here or are we just going to be friends that have sex occasionally)?
  • Role-play, fantasy, etc., that everyone agrees to and does not humiliate or otherwise harm your partner or partners.
    •

    I think sex is great. Correction, sex is really great. However, it's not something that you should use at the drop of a hat. It's not a tool to get what you want, or to make you popular, it is a gift that you should give to those that you truly care about, and plan on caring about for a long time.

    4. Musavada veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
    I undertake the precept to refrain from incorrect speech.

    Badmouthing your friends in jest is fun. I mean, as long as everyone is able to handle the kidding, it's fine. Part of good kamma is detacting self from situation. However, you have to realize that people have different sensibilities, and stepping on them, especially on those of people that you don't know well, is bad. Take care as to what you say, for it will come back and bite you on the ass...

    As well, saying bad things on occasion can become a habit, and you will begin to say nothing but ill of other people all the time. And then someone will smack you in the head hard... that is called the Kammic Cycle, where your actions are repaid.

    5. Suramerayamajja pamadatthana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
    I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead to carelessness.

    Ok, we all like to have fun. My friend Pippin took me out drinking for my birthday, and I consumed much alcohol and met many beautiful women. Pippin owes me the purchase of one whole shot tray, which I will consume in its entirety.

    I drink about 7-10 times a year, never to excess. Moderation is my motto...

    Some of us choose to have fun with alcohol, and others choose to use other substances, some of which I do not necessarily approve of. That is not my decision, but theirs. Still, in order to become aware of your body and mind, you must not cloud it with substances that stop you from preceiving the truth of things. All things must be used in moderation, and to do otherwise can result in serious mental, emotions, and physical harm to yourself. I take a note of the death of a Rutgers University student recently (October 1998), who died after falling down stairs; he was quite intoxicated at the time. This is very sad, and I wish the best for his family and his fraternity brothers in this terrible time. But it is an example of what can happen, and I hope that it will not happen again.

    Besides, alcohol and drugs can result in dangerous behavior, the lack of control that causes people to speak poorly of others, and 'beer-goggling', which is a fate worse than death in some quarters. Make sure your head is clear before you end up in bed with someone that you would rather not even be in the same state with....

    So if you want to have fun, go ahead. But remember you don't always need alcohol and drugs to do so; if you choose these paths, use caution, as they can mess you up if you're not careful.

     

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