Some questions about the 8 precepts

Buddhist ethical conduct including the Five Precepts (Pañcasikkhāpada), and Eightfold Ethical Conduct (Aṭṭhasīla).
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Guy
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Some questions about the 8 precepts

Post by Guy »

Hello everyone,

I have more questions, as usual...
ATTHAGA SILA (The Eight Precepts)

1) PÀNÀTIPÀTÀ - VERAMANI SIKKHAPADAM SAMADIYAMI
I undertake to abstain from harming or taking life.

2) ADINNÀDÀNÀ - VERAMANI SIKKHAPADAM SAMADIYAMI
I undertake to abstain from taking what is not given.

3) ABRAHMACARIYÀ - VERAMANI SIKKHAPADAM SAMADIYAMI
I undertake to abstain from any from sexual contact.

4) MUSÀVÀDÀ - VERAMANI SIKKHAPADAM SAMADIYAMI
I undertake to abstain from false speech.

5) SURA - MERAYA – MAJJA - PAMÀDATTHANA - VERAMANI SIKKHAPADAM SAMADIYAMI
I undertake to abstain from the use of intoxicants, i.e. drugs and alcohol.

6) VIKÀLA - BHOJANÀ - VERAMANI SIKKHAPADAM SAMADIYAMI
I undertake to abstain from eating after the mid-day meal.

7) NACCA - GITA - VÀDITA - VISUKADASSANÀ - MÀLAGANDHA - VILEPANA - DHÀRANA - MANDANA - VIBHUSANATTHÀNÀ - VERAMANI SIKKHAPADAM SAMADIYAMI
I undertake to abstain from dancing, singing, music and watching entertainments, and from using enticing beauty aids, i.e. perfume, etc.

8) UCCASAYANA – MAHASAYANA - VERAMANI SIKKHAPADAM SAMADIYAMI
I undertake to abstain from indulging in high and luxurious seats and beds.
http://www.buddhanet.net/imol/retreat/appendix01.htm

The first 5 precepts I understand.

As for the 6th precept - What exactly constitutes food, where do we draw the line? I assume water is okay but what about soup, milk, soy milk, fruit juice or tea?

The 7th precept I understand to mean nothing to distract you from your practice (such as TV, films, games, etc.), is this correct? As for the beauty aids and perfume - no problem.

Does the 8th precept mean I should sleep on the carpet, or is a thin foam mattress okay? Also are things like pillows and doonas okay or not?

Sorry if any of my questions are dumb or have already been answered before, it's just that last time I tried to practice the 8 precepts I wasn't exactly sure what was and wasn't allowed.

Thanks,

Guy
Four types of letting go:

1) Giving; expecting nothing back in return
2) Throwing things away
3) Contentment; wanting to be here, not wanting to be anywhere else
4) "Teflon Mind"; having a mind which doesn't accumulate things

- Ajahn Brahm
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retrofuturist
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Re: Some questions about the 8 precepts

Post by retrofuturist »

Greetings Guy,
As for the 6th precept - What exactly constitutes food, where do we draw the line? I assume water is okay but what about soup, milk, soy milk, fruit juice or tea?
As I understand it... soup is no, milk is no, soy milk is no, fruit juice is OK only if strained, tea is fine so long as there's no milk.
The 7th precept I understand to mean nothing to distract you from your practice (such as TV, films, games, etc.), is this correct? As for the beauty aids and perfume - no problem.
Yes... trying to avoid sensual pleasures/distractions.
Does the 8th precept mean I should sleep on the carpet, or is a thin foam mattress okay? Also are things like pillows and doonas okay or not?
Any of those should be OK.

As usual, happy to be corrected...

Metta,
Retro. :)
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
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Guy
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Re: Some questions about the 8 precepts

Post by Guy »

Hello Retro,

Thanks for the quick reply, you have cleared things up for me.

Thank you,

Guy
Four types of letting go:

1) Giving; expecting nothing back in return
2) Throwing things away
3) Contentment; wanting to be here, not wanting to be anywhere else
4) "Teflon Mind"; having a mind which doesn't accumulate things

- Ajahn Brahm
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mikenz66
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Location: Aotearoa, New Zealand

Re: Some questions about the 8 precepts

Post by mikenz66 »

retrofuturist wrote:
As for the 6th precept - What exactly constitutes food, where do we draw the line? I assume water is okay but what about soup, milk, soy milk, fruit juice or tea?
As I understand it... soup is no, milk is no, soy milk is no, fruit juice is OK only if strained, tea is fine so long as there's no milk.
Depends on the Wat/Centre.

What Retro says would be the safest bet, but some monastics I've done retreats with think milk products are OK. Some chocolate (especially dark). Some gummie bears... :) Then there's honey in hot water, ...

Mike
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Guy
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Location: Perth, Western Australia

Re: Some questions about the 8 precepts

Post by Guy »

Hi Mike,

Thanks, I think I will err on the side of caution. I am not taking the 8 precepts "officially" with a monk or on a retreat I have just decided to try to keep them one day per week for next three months to put a bit of oompf into my meditation practice.

With Metta,

Guy
Four types of letting go:

1) Giving; expecting nothing back in return
2) Throwing things away
3) Contentment; wanting to be here, not wanting to be anywhere else
4) "Teflon Mind"; having a mind which doesn't accumulate things

- Ajahn Brahm
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retrofuturist
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Location: Melbourne, Australia
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Re: Some questions about the 8 precepts

Post by retrofuturist »

Greetings,
mikenz66 wrote:What Retro says would be the safest bet, but some monastics I've done retreats with think milk products are OK. Some chocolate (especially dark). Some gummie bears... :) Then there's honey in hot water, ...
Bah... that's soft :tongue:

Metta,
Retro. :)
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
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