The five precepts

The five precepts (pañca sīla) are the basic ethical commitments of lay Buddhists in every tradition. They are not commandments handed down by a god. They are trainings that a person undertakes voluntarily, because they see that these actions cause harm.

The five training rules

The traditional wording begins, “I undertake the training rule to abstain from…”. The five are:

1. Killing living beings.
2. Taking what is not given.
3. Sexual misconduct.
4. False speech.
5. Alcohol and drugs that cause heedlessness.

Many Buddhists recite them in Pali after taking refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, at a temple or at home.

A gift to all beings

In one discourse the Buddha calls the five precepts great gifts. Someone who keeps them gives safety, freedom from enmity and freedom from oppression to countless beings. In return, they share in that same safety. People around you can trust that you will not harm them, lie to them or take what is theirs.

The precepts also protect the one who keeps them. The texts speak of the joy of blamelessness: a clear conscience, without regret, which is the best basis for a calm mind and meditation.

Training, not perfection

The word “training rule” matters. It accepts that people will sometimes fall short. When that happens, the usual response is to recognise it, make amends where possible, and recommit, rather than to sink into guilt. Some people renew the precepts each day or each week.

Lay people may also choose to take on fewer than all five at first, or to keep the eight precepts on special observance days.

How the precepts fit the path

The first three precepts match right action in the Noble Eightfold Path, and the fourth matches right speech. The fifth protects all the others, since intoxication makes it easier to break them. Together they form the ethical conduct (sīla) on which concentration and wisdom are built.

Beyond restraint

Each precept has a positive side. Not killing grows into kindness. Not stealing grows into generosity. Avoiding sexual misconduct grows into respect and faithfulness. Not lying grows into trustworthiness. Staying clear-headed grows into mindfulness.