Dhammic Life

Above : The Sangha (monastic community) & lay people engages in puja (religious service)

Sometimes we are just plain curious where the 5 & 8 precepts were compiled from. It took me a very long time to find that out! Joy to the world, I found it by accident today (5 March 2006) from the internet! I would like to share this joy with you too. Enjoy the Words of Truth!


WANT TO BE A VIRTOUS BUDDHIST LAY PERSON? HERE IS PART OF THE BUDDHA’S TEACHING ON THIS MATTER :

[extracted from Sn II.14 Dhammika Sutta (To Dhammika) (excerpt) Translated from the Pali by John D. Ireland]

…"Now I will tell you the layman's duty. Following it a lay-disciple would be virtuous; for it is not possible for one occupied with the household life to realize the complete bhikkhu practice (dhamma).

(The Buddha teaches about the 5 precepts)
*"He should not kill a living being, nor cause it to be killed, nor should he incite another to kill. Do not injure any being, either strong or weak, in the world.

*"A disciple should avoid taking anything from anywhere knowing it (to belong to another). He should not steal nor incite another to steal. He should completely avoid theft.

*"A wise man should avoid unchastity as (he would avoid falling into) a pit of glowing charcoal. If unable to lead a celibate life, he should not go to another's wife.

*"Having entered a royal court or a company of people he should not speak lies. He should not speak lies (himself) nor incite others to do so. He should completely avoid falsehood.

*"A layman who has chosen to practice this Dhamma should not indulge in the drinking of intoxicants. He should not drink them nor encourage others to do so; realizing that it leads to madness. Through intoxication foolish people perform evil deeds and cause other heedless people to do likewise. He should avoid intoxication, this occasion for demerit, which stupefies the mind, and is the pleasure of foolish people.

(next, the Buddha encourages the lay people to keep eight precepts on 8th, 14th,15th and half moon days)

*Do not kill a living being;

*do not take what is not given;

*do not speak a lie;

*do not drink intoxicants;

*abstain from sexual intercourse;

*do not eat food at night, at the wrong time;

*do not wear flower-garlands nor use perfumes;

*use the ground as a bed or sleep on a mat.
"This is called the eight-factored observance made known by the Awakened One who has reached the end of suffering.
"With a gladdened mind observe the observance day (uposatha), complete with its eight factors, on the fourteenth, fifteenth and eighth days of the (lunar) fortnight and also the special holiday of the half month.

In the morning, with a pure heart and a joyful mind, a wise man, after observing the uposatha, should distribute suitable food and drink to the community of bhikkhus. He should support his mother and father as his duty and engage in lawful trading. A layman who carries this out diligently goes to the (realm of) devas called "Self-radiant."