Sila: Buddhist Morality

THE ENLIGHTENED ONE, the Buddha, taught morality and good conduct (together known as sīla) as a fundamental part of his teachings. Indeed, if one reads the Tipitika (or at least the Suttas and the Vinaya), it appears to be about 75% of his teachings.

The basis of Buddhist morality, (indeed, the basic Buddhist practice) is panca sila, or the Five Precepts.

These five precepts are abstaining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct (adultery), lying and alcohol (fermented and distilled beverages).

There are two types of killing to abstain from: murder (the killing of humans) and the killing of (non-human) animals. At best, lesser religions teach one to abstain from murder, and there are even many exceptions to this. A practicing Buddhist abstains from murder, without exception. Only the greater religions also teach people to abstain from killing animals.

Not stealing includes not only direct stealing (such as pick-pocketing, shoplifting, etc.) but stealing through lying.

Sexual misconduct primarily means adultery. But there are other types of sexual misconduct as well. Having sex with someone who is betrothed or engaged to someone else. Having sex with someone still under the protection of their parents. Having sex likely to lead to killing or lying.

Not lying is straight-forward, but it is a precept often overlooked by non-practicing Buddhists. Many people lie many times a day. Does your word mean anything to you?

The fifth precept is literally abstaining from "fermented or distilled beverages" (alcohol). Non-practicing Buddhist teachers will sometimes mistranslate it as "not getting drunk." It is also sometimes paraphrased as "abstaining from drinks and drugs causing heedlessness." Though this last is not a literal translation, it captures the spirit of the fifth precept, just as a vegetarian diet is a necessary component of the spirit of the first precept.

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