Hindrances and rules

[redlotus]

Hello, I am semi- new to Theravada Buddhism. I know there are several hindrances, and "rules". But does it make me a worser person if I do not follow these? Ex: eating meat, negative speech, etc.?

Thank you!

[cooran]

Hello redlotus,

Habitual reactions by thought word and deed, if not wholesome, will make the Path more diffcult

Not eating meat isn’t one of the Precepts – only ‘’not destroying living creatures’’, but there are unending discussions between vegetarian/vegan practitioners and meateaters about how precisely the Precept ought to be understood.

Five Precepts for Lay People are:
The Five Precepts:
1. Panatipata veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living creatures.

2. Adinnadana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given.

3. Kamesu micchacara veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual misconduct.

4. Musavada veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I undertake the precept to refrain from incorrect speech.

5. Suramerayamajja pamadatthana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead to carelessness.
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dham ... asila.html

You may find lots to interest you in another thread on DhammaWheel:
Introductory Resources
viewtopic.php?f=24&t=148

with metta
Chris

[Ben]

The hindrances, within the Theravadin Buddhist context, are those negative proclivities which hinder one's development of mental cultivation (bhavana) or meditation - more particularly samatha meditation. They can arise unbidden and they occur to all until one develops strong samadhi where they remain dormant. The hindrances are finally destroyed through the insight exercises of vipassana meditation.

The five hindrances are:

- sensual desire
- ill will
- sloth and torpor
- restlessness and remorse
- skeptical doubt

For more, read this publication:

The Five Mental Hindrances and Their Conquest
Selected Texts from the Pali Canon and the Commentaries
compiled and translated by
Nyanaponika Thera
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... el026.html

[rowyourboat]

Hi Redlotus,

No one is going to judge you as a good or bad person. We are all on a path to bettering ourselves, so join in! Meditation, keeping precepts is an important part of this process - thats all.

with metta

Matheesha