Normally in the sequence of after taking refuge in the
Triple Gem, one may choose to take the five precepts as well. Before one makes the vow to take the five
precepts, one should get acquainted first. The five precepts (panca-sila) are
the basic precepts that all Buddhists are advised to practice. These precepts
are the minimum one meant for the layperson but there are more rules (227 rules
in vinaya) for monks (Bhikkhus) which are even more stringent. Lay man voluntarily vows to obey the five
major precepts, as against killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, false speech
and intoxicating substances.
The boundary of precepts (Sila) has various conditions
(sambhara) to determine that one has violated one of these morals. On the other
hand, if one of these conditions does not exist, then it is considered that the
morals have not been violated completely.
1. Abstain from killing.
Killing has always been a source of harm for both oneself
and others. The first precept has five factors to determine that one has
violated the precept or not. They are:
(1) The existence of an actual living being (pano),
(2) One knows that it is a living being (panasannita),
(3) The intention to kill (vadhacittam),
(4) The effort to kill (upakkamo),
(5) The resulting death of that being (tena maranam).
If one of these conditions does not exist, then it is
considered that the morals have not been violated completely.
2. Abstain from stealing.
Stealing is also another action that causes harm to both
oneself and others. The second precept too has five factors. They are:
(1) Items with a concerned owner (para-parigga-hitam),
(2) One knows there is a concerned owner (para-parigga-hita-sannita),
(3) The intention to steal (theyyacittam),
(4) The effort to steal (upakkamo),
(5) The articles are stolen through that effort (tena
haranam).
3. Abstain from sexual misconduct
The commentary to the Khuddakapatha gives four factors for
the third precept. They are:
(1) The bases or paths for wrong conduct (ajjha-caraniya-vatthu),
(2) The intent for sexual intercourse through any of the
above way of doing wrong (tattha sevanacittam),
(3) Sexual intercourse (sevanappayogo),
(4) Being pleased { sadiyanam),
If one of these four conditions are not met, then it is
considered that the morals have not been violated completely.
4. Abstain from lying
The fourth precept has four factors. They are:
(1) A falsehood (atatham vatthu),
(2) The intent to
speak a falsehood (visamvadanacittam),
(3) The effort is made (tajjo vayamo),
(4) Others understand what was said (parassa
ta-dattha-vijananam).
5. Abstain from intoxicants.
The fifth precept has four factors. They are:
(1) Intoxicants (mada-niyam),
(2) The desire to drink (patukamyatacittam),
(3) The effort which is made (tajjo vayamo),
(4) The intoxicants being drunk passing the throat
(pitappavesanam).
When One Breaks a Precept, if one is willing to continue
practice, then one should request the precepts anew. This is better than
abandoning the precepts in a broken state.
May all beings be well and happy & attain the fruit of
Nibbana.
Suranda Weediyage
BA, Tripitakachariya, Dip in Pali/ Buddhism (Pali &
Buddhist University of Sri Lanka), HNDBF,
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