Buddhist Ethics

To live is to act, and our actions can have either harmful or beneficial consequences for oneself and others. Buddhist ethics is concerned with the principles and practices that help one to act in ways that help rather than harm. The core ethical code of Buddhism is known as the five precepts, and these are the distillation of its ethical principles. The precepts are not rules or commandments, but “principles of training,” which are undertaken freely and need to be put into practice with intelligence and sensitivity.

Essentially, according to Buddhist teachings, the ethical and moral principles are governed by examining whether a certain action, whether connected to body or speech is likely to be harmful to one’s self or to others and thereby avoiding any actions which are likely to be harmful. Buddhism places a great emphasis on ‘mind’ and it is mental anguish such as remorse, anxiety, guilt etc. which is to be avoided in order to cultivate a calm and peaceful mind. In Buddhism, there is reference to a skilled mind. A mind that is skillful avoids actions that are likely to cause suffering or remorse.

Moral conduct for Buddhists differs according to whether it applies to the laity or to the Sangha or clergy. A lay Buddhist should cultivate good conduct by training in what are known as the Five Precepts. These are not like, say, the ten commandments, which, if broken, entail punishment by God. The five precepts are intentional training guidelines, which, if one were to break any of them, one should be aware of the breech and examine how such a breech may be avoided in the future. The resultant of an action (often referred to as Karma) depends on the intention more than the action itself. It entails less feelings of guilt than its Judeo-Christian counterpart.

The Five Precepts are:

1) To undertake the training to avoid taking the life of beings.
This precept applies to all living beings not just humans. All beings have a right to their lives and that right should be respected.

2) To undertake the training to avoid taking things not given.
This precept goes further than mere stealing. One should avoid taking anything unless one can be sure that is intended that it is for you.

3) To undertake the training to avoid sensual misconduct.
This precept is often mistranslated or misinterpreted as relating only to sexual misconduct but it covers any overindulgence in any sensual pleasure such as gluttony as well as misconduct of a sexual nature.

4) To undertake the training to refrain from false speech.
As well as avoiding lying and deceiving, this precept covers gossip and slander as well, as speech which is not beneficial to the welfare of others.

5) To undertake the training to abstain from substances which cause intoxication and heedlessness.
This precept is in a special category as it does not infer any intrinsic evil in, say, alcohol itself but indulgence in such a substance could be the cause of breaking the other four precepts.

Some people find that they are more comfortable stating the precepts positively because they find it more inspiring. Likewise, some people have crafted their own expanded or elaborated positive version because it adds momentum to their mindfulness in daily life.

The following is a sample of positively stated and elaborated version of the Precepts. Feel free to use these or create your own wording that aligns with these principles.

The Five Precepts Stated Positively

1. To the best of my ability, I will protect and support life and encourage the fulfillment of potential for love and understanding in others.
2. To the best of my ability, I will take only what is freely given and vow to practice gratitude and generosity.
3. To the best of my ability, I will respect and support on-going relationships, honor my commitments, and practice discernment between the beauty of Eros as a feeling and the compulsiveness to act it out.
4. To the best of my ability, I will say what is true, useful, and timely and practice deep listening such that both my speaking and listening reflects loving-kindness and compassion.
5. To the best of my ability, I will maintain a clear and alert mind that is aware of its motivations, moment to moment, such that it can discern between what is the cause of suffering and what is not the cause of suffering.

• From Phillip Moffitt, dharmawisdom.org