1.4: Moral Principles
The 5 Precepts:
1. Do not kill.
2. Do not steal.
3. Do not fornicate.
4. Do not lie.
5. No intoxication.
· Foundation of ethics.
· Avoids Tanha.
· Harvey:
o "While each precept is expressed in negative wording, as an abstention, one who keeps them increasingly comes to express positive virtues."
· They come from the Vinaya Pitaka.
o Keown: "The basis of Buddhist ethics."
· Buddhist ethics is about changing the person as supposed to the action.
· Dalai Lama:
o "It is foolish to concentrate on the self when helping the vast numbers... can bring greater benefit to the self... this is wise happiness."
· Yodhajiva Sutta:
o Violence is not a sin in itself.
§ The intention to harm and kill is.
· Bodhi on the 1st Precept:
o "Killing lies with the mind."
o Killing a human = worse than killing an animal.
§ Humans have more 'Guna' (moral qualities)
o Intention determines moral weight.
The 1st Precept:
· Ahimsa: no harm.
· Harvey:
o "Regarded as the most important."
· Dhammapada:
o "If a person does not harm any living being... that person is a true spiritual practitioner."
The 2nd precept:
· Bodhi:
o "Encourages honesty and right livelihood."
§ Based on intention.
The 3rd Precept:
· Harvey:
o "Avoidance of causing suffering by one's sexual behaviour."
· Buddhagosa:
o Considered homosexuality as a breach.
· Bodhi:
o It is not banning all sex, but if it is wrong-intentioned.
§ e.g. rape.
§ "Greed accomplished by delusion."
The 4th Precept:
· Bodhi:
o All forms of communication.
o "Gravity of the lie is contingent on its motivation."
· Ta-Sui:
o "Don't think falsely."
The 5th Precept:
· Bodhi:
o "Avoid them altogether."
· Meditation = Opposite of intoxication as it keeps the mind clear.
Higher Precepts:
· 8 precepts for pious lay.
· 10 for monks.
6. Abstaining from untimely meals.
o Not overindulge.
7. Abstaining from dancing, singing, music and watching mime.
o Hides what is real.
8. Abstaining from perfume and other personal adornments.
o Wrong desire for attention.
9. Abstaining from high seats.
10. Abstaining from handling money.
o Needless attachment.
Quotes:
· Harvey:
o "The overcoming of Dukkha."
o "Cultivates moral virtue by accepting precepts."
· Bodhi:
o "Self-Transformation."
· Thanissaro Bhukkhu:
o "Five great gifts."
· Dhammapada:
o "Whoever destroys living beings, speaks false words, who in the world takes that which is not given to him, or goes too with another man's wife, or takes distilled, fermented drinks- whatever man indulges thus extirpates the roots of himself even here in this very world."
Other:
· Mahayana:
o Use the 6 Paramitas as their ethical system.
§ Dana: Generosity.
§ Sila: Virtue, morality
§ Ksanti: Patience, tolerance.
§ Virya: Energy, Diligence.
§ Praja: Wisdom, insight.
§ Dhyana: 1-pointed concentration.
o Zen Master Bong says:
§ "The precepts are to help us cut off our attachments, and when that is done, then all the precepts are kept naturally."
· Shows the use of the 5 precepts by Mahayana as well as Theravada.
o Upaya: skilful means.
§ Parable of the burning house.
o Don’t really value the eightfold path.
o 2 key values:
§ Wisdom and compassion.
· Prajnaparimita on Metta:
o "All living things are worthy of loving-kindness."
· Lotus Sutra:
o Explains upaya and Bodhisattva path.
§ Provides rules, but these can be broken for the greater good.
Understanding in Theravada and Mahayana:
Theravada:
Emphasis on upholding precepts for personal ethical development and avoiding negative karma.
Precepts seen as training ground for attaining enlightenment.
Historically stricter monastic interpretation, now evolving lay practice.
Mahayana:
Precepts interpreted with emphasis on compassion and avoiding harm to all beings.
Mahayana ideals like bodhisattvahood may transcend strict adherence to individual precepts.
Diverse Mahayana schools with varying interpretations and practices.
Five Precepts- P Harvey and B Bodhi
· Harvey on wording of five precepts = ‘while each precept is expressed in negative wording…. One who keeps to them increasingly comes to express positive virtues’
· Bodhi on first precept = ‘killing lies with the mind’
· Harvey on first precept = ‘regarded as most important’
· Bodhi on second precept = ‘encourages honesty and right livelihood’
· Harvey on third precept = ‘avoidance of causing suffering by one’s sexual behaviour’
· Bodhi on fourth precept = ‘gravity of the lie is contingent on its motivation’
· Bodhi on fifth precept = ‘avoid them altogether’
· Harvey on fifth precept = ‘there is no mental clarity or clam’
· Harvey on overall five precepts = ‘foundation of the spiritual path’ and ‘the overcoming of Dukkha’
· Harvey on purpose of five precepts = ‘a promise or vow to oneself’
· Bodhi on overall five precepts = ‘ethical algorithm’
· Bodhi on purpose of five precepts= ‘self-transformation’ and ‘inner purity of will and motivation’
OTHER
Peter Harvey: "The Five Precepts are not simply rules, but expressions of the Buddha's understanding of suffering and its causes."
Bhikkhu Bodhi: "By practicing the precepts, we cultivate kindness, generosity, and truthfulness, reducing the causes of suffering in ourselves and others."
Five Precepts: Core ethical guidelines for Buddhists:
Abstain from harming living beings
Abstain from taking what is not given
Abstain from sexual misconduct
Abstain from false speech
Abstain from intoxicants that cloud the mind
Theravada: "School of the Elders," emphasizes individual liberation
Mahayana: "Great Vehicle," emphasizes universal liberation for all beings
Karma: Law of cause and effect, actions have consequences