The Five Precepts

Pooja Dissanayake
Dharma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara,
Los Angeles USA


There is no success or happiness outside the Buddha�s teachings. If we do not follow the Pancha Sila which is a Pali-Sanskrit word for the five precepts (morality) our lives will not be completed.

No matter how clever or how good you are at understanding things, one cannot call yourself a true follower of the Buddha, if you don�t follow the five precepts which are not don�ts but are undertakings to observe.

A true Buddhist will not have anything to do with false speech, spirituous drinks, killing, stealing or engaging in sexual misconduct. The five precepts which we undertake to follow are, as follows. The first is to refrain from taking life. When you take life you deny another life which he loves most as much as you love your self. And, remember, you have to show compassion to all beings.

The second precept is to refrain from stealing. That means taking whatever which is not yours or not given to you. Stealing another person�s properties can put one in trouble, and how do you feel if someone steals what belongs to you. The third precept is to refrain from lying. If you lie whether it is big or small your friends and others will begin to lose trust in you and you will start to think about it and will not stop until you realise the truth. And,if you tell a lie to hide the truth you have to tell more lies, and get into trouble. To prevent lying you got to stop at some point.

The fourth precept is to abstain from sexual misconduct. Going against sexual misconduct can be very dangerous. The fifth precept is to refrain from taking intoxicating drinks and drugs which can be very harmful to your body. If you are a true Buddhist you should refrain from taking drinks and drugs that will poison and hurt your mind. It will also destroys your thinking ability.

If you follow the five precepts you will not go in the wrong direction, and succeed in life. Observing the five precepts make you strong and conscious.

These are the five precepts the Buddha taught. So follow the five precepts correctly.

I bet you will have a good future. A true Buddhist will never give up and always listen and follow the five precepts and lead a successful life. Last but not least, always remember to follow the five precepts and lead a happy life.