Precept - Definition and Overview

This article is about the Buddhist concept; see Pancasila Indonesia for the Indonesian state philosophy.

Pancasila or pañca-sila is the fundamental code of Buddhist ethics, willingly undertaken by lay followers of Gautama Buddha. The term is Pali for "Five Virtues" (Five Rules or Precepts of Virtue) and is pronounced roughly "puntshaseela".

The laity undertake to follow these precepts at the same time as they become buddhist, taking refuge in the Triple Gem: In the Buddha (teacher), in the Dharma (teaching) and thirdly in the Sangha (pupils). Like all aspects of Buddhist dharma or teaching, the Pancasila are regarded as logically rather than supernaturally derived and are to be undertaken voluntarily rather than as "commandments" from a supernatural or mundane authority.

1. I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living creatures.

2. I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given.

3. I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual misconduct.

4. I undertake the precept to refrain from incorrect speech.

5. I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicants which lead to carelessness.

It is often recited in Pali as follows:

1. Pānātipātā veramani sikkhapadam samādiyāmi

2. Adinnādānā veramani sikkhapadam samādiyāmi

3. Kāmesu micchācāra veramani sikkhapadam samādiyāmi

4. Musāvāda veramani sikkhapadam samādiyāmi

5. Surā meraya majja pamādatthānā veramani sikkhapadam samādiyāmi

See also

Four Noble Truths, Noble Eightfold Path

External links

• The Five Precepts (http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/pancasila.html)