I want to begin maintaining the five precepts

Buddhist ethical conduct including the Five Precepts (Pañcasikkhāpada), and Eightfold Ethical Conduct (Aṭṭhasīla).
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Motova
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I want to begin maintaining the five precepts

Post by Motova »

https://suttacentral.net/kp2/en/sujato

Hi, I want to begin maintaining the five precepts.

Do I just repeat, "I undertake the precept to refrain from killing living creatures. I undertake the precept to refrain from stealing. I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual activity. I undertake the precept to refrain from lying. I undertake the precept to refrain from taking alcoholic drinks that cause negligence," everyday?

Also why does the translation above say 'sexual activity'? I thought it was just sexual misconduct.
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bodom
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Re: I want to begin maintaining the five precepts

Post by bodom »

Motova wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 7:23 pm https://suttacentral.net/kp2/en/sujato

Hi, I want to begin maintaining the five precepts.

Do I just repeat, "I undertake the precept to refrain from killing living creatures. I undertake the precept to refrain from stealing. I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual activity. I undertake the precept to refrain from lying. I undertake the precept to refrain from taking alcoholic drinks that cause negligence," everyday?

Also why does the translation above say 'sexual activity'? I thought it was just sexual misconduct.
The 10 precepts, which is what your link takes us to, are for novice monks and nuns before full ordination. Householders are encouraged by the Buddha to follow the five precepts. The third precept for us is to avoid sexual misconduct, as you stated , not all sexual activity.

https://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dha ... asila.html

:anjali:
Liberation is the inevitable fruit of the path and is bound to blossom forth when there is steady and persistent practice. The only requirements for reaching the final goal are two: to start and to continue. If these requirements are met there is no doubt the goal will be attained. This is the Dhamma, the undeviating law.

- BB
Motova
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Re: I want to begin maintaining the five precepts

Post by Motova »

bodom wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 7:40 pm
Motova wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 7:23 pm https://suttacentral.net/kp2/en/sujato

Hi, I want to begin maintaining the five precepts.

Do I just repeat, "I undertake the precept to refrain from killing living creatures. I undertake the precept to refrain from stealing. I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual activity. I undertake the precept to refrain from lying. I undertake the precept to refrain from taking alcoholic drinks that cause negligence," everyday?

Also why does the translation above say 'sexual activity'? I thought it was just sexual misconduct.
The 10 precepts, which is what your link takes us to, are for novice monks and nuns before full ordination. Householders are encouraged by the Buddha to follow the five precepts. The third precept for us is to avoid sexual misconduct, as you stated , not all sexual activity.

https://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dha ... asila.html

:anjali:
Thank you.

Do I do this everyday?
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bodom
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Re: I want to begin maintaining the five precepts

Post by bodom »

Motova wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 7:47 pm
bodom wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 7:40 pm
Motova wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 7:23 pm https://suttacentral.net/kp2/en/sujato

Hi, I want to begin maintaining the five precepts.

Do I just repeat, "I undertake the precept to refrain from killing living creatures. I undertake the precept to refrain from stealing. I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual activity. I undertake the precept to refrain from lying. I undertake the precept to refrain from taking alcoholic drinks that cause negligence," everyday?

Also why does the translation above say 'sexual activity'? I thought it was just sexual misconduct.
The 10 precepts, which is what your link takes us to, are for novice monks and nuns before full ordination. Householders are encouraged by the Buddha to follow the five precepts. The third precept for us is to avoid sexual misconduct, as you stated , not all sexual activity.

https://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dha ... asila.html

:anjali:
Thank you.

Do I do this everyday?
Ideally yes if you want to make progress on the path. They are not commandments from anyone and no one will strike you down with a thunderbolt if you break one. They are undertaken by oneself because we see the benefits in keeping them. They keep us from harming ourselves and others. The Buddha calls them 5 gifts we give to ourselves and the world.

:anjali:
Liberation is the inevitable fruit of the path and is bound to blossom forth when there is steady and persistent practice. The only requirements for reaching the final goal are two: to start and to continue. If these requirements are met there is no doubt the goal will be attained. This is the Dhamma, the undeviating law.

- BB
Motova
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Re: I want to begin maintaining the five precepts

Post by Motova »

bodom wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 7:52 pm
Motova wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 7:47 pm
bodom wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 7:40 pm

The 10 precepts, which is what your link takes us to, are for novice monks and nuns before full ordination. Householders are encouraged by the Buddha to follow the five precepts. The third precept for us is to avoid sexual misconduct, as you stated , not all sexual activity.

https://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dha ... asila.html

:anjali:
Thank you.

Do I do this everyday?
Ideally yes if you want to make progress on the path. They are not commandments from anyone and no one will strike you down with a thunderbolt if you break one. They are undertaken by oneself because we see the benefits in keeping them. They keep us from harming ourselves and others. The Buddha calls them 5 gifts we give to ourselves and the world.

:anjali:
Thank you very much.
DiamondNgXZ
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Re: I want to begin maintaining the five precepts

Post by DiamondNgXZ »

Motova wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 7:47 pm
bodom wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 7:40 pm
Motova wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 7:23 pm https://suttacentral.net/kp2/en/sujato

Hi, I want to begin maintaining the five precepts.

Do I just repeat, "I undertake the precept to refrain from killing living creatures. I undertake the precept to refrain from stealing. I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual activity. I undertake the precept to refrain from lying. I undertake the precept to refrain from taking alcoholic drinks that cause negligence," everyday?

Also why does the translation above say 'sexual activity'? I thought it was just sexual misconduct.
The 10 precepts, which is what your link takes us to, are for novice monks and nuns before full ordination. Householders are encouraged by the Buddha to follow the five precepts. The third precept for us is to avoid sexual misconduct, as you stated , not all sexual activity.

https://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dha ... asila.html

:anjali:
Thank you.

Do I do this everyday?
You don't have to repeat the words if they are already in built inside you all the time.

How precepts protect you is when an opportunity to break it arises, you remind yourself that you had taken this precept not to break it. So you abstain from evil. Eg. A married woman (who's not your wife) ask you for sex, you just say no, even if you're super lustful. A friend offers beer to you free of charge, free flow whole night, you say no. A mosquito lands on you and want to bite you, you blow it away instead of killing it.
Motova
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Re: I want to begin maintaining the five precepts

Post by Motova »

How do I take additional precepts for just a day?
DiamondNgXZ
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Re: I want to begin maintaining the five precepts

Post by DiamondNgXZ »

Motova wrote: Thu Aug 12, 2021 12:59 am How do I take additional precepts for just a day?
Just mentally say that I'll take that additional precept for today.
Motova
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Re: I want to begin maintaining the five precepts

Post by Motova »

https://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dha ... asila.html

"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."

Why does this say 'incorrect speech' and not lying?
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Sam Vara
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Re: I want to begin maintaining the five precepts

Post by Sam Vara »

Motova wrote: Thu Aug 12, 2021 2:21 pm https://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dha ... asila.html

"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."

Why does this say 'incorrect speech' and not lying?
There are different translations. The pali does indeed mean "false speech" or lying. Perhaps this translator was drawing attention to the fact that "false speech" could also include exaggeration, which is outside of what many people consider lying. In any case, it's good to be reminded that although the bar is set at lying, avoiding divisive speech, harsh language and frivolous chatter is also desirable.
Motova
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Re: I want to begin maintaining the five precepts

Post by Motova »

Sam Vara wrote: Thu Aug 12, 2021 2:28 pm
Motova wrote: Thu Aug 12, 2021 2:21 pm https://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dha ... asila.html

"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."

Why does this say 'incorrect speech' and not lying?
There are different translations. The pali does indeed mean "false speech" or lying. Perhaps this translator was drawing attention to the fact that "false speech" could also include exaggeration, which is outside of what many people consider lying. In any case, it's good to be reminded that although the bar is set at lying, avoiding divisive speech, harsh language and frivolous chatter is also desirable.
Thank you.
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mjaviem
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Re: I want to begin maintaining the five precepts

Post by mjaviem »

DiamondNgXZ wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 11:58 pm How precepts protect you is when an opportunity to break it arises, you remind yourself that you had taken this precept not to break it. So you abstain from evil...
:candle:
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammā Sambuddhassa
bpallister
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Re: I want to begin maintaining the five precepts

Post by bpallister »

I'm also gonna try harder to maintain them.
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