Five Precepts

E58749

The Five Precepts are the core ethical guidelines in Buddhism that lay followers undertake to cultivate moral conduct, non-harm, and mental clarity.

Aliases (1)

Statements (50)
Predicate Object
instanceOf Buddhist ethical code
moral precepts
appliesTo lay Buddhists
associatedWith Mahayana Buddhism
Theravada Buddhism
Vajrayana Buddhism
canonicalTerm Panca-sila
Pañca-sīla
category Buddhist ethics
ethicalDomain honesty
non-violence
right speech
sexual ethics
sobriety
fifthPrecept abstaining from intoxicants that cause heedlessness
fifthPreceptPositiveForm cultivating mindfulness and clarity of mind
firstPrecept abstaining from taking life
firstPreceptPositiveForm cultivating kindness and compassion toward living beings
fourthPrecept abstaining from false speech
fourthPreceptPositiveForm cultivating truthful and harmonious speech
languageOfCanonicalForm Pali
moralFunction protection of oneself and others
restraint of unwholesome actions
numberOfPrecepts 5
observanceMode daily ethical practice
formal recitation in rituals
purpose cultivation of mental clarity
cultivation of moral conduct
cultivation of non-harm
foundation for spiritual development
support for meditation practice
religiousTradition Buddhism
roleInBuddhism basic lay commitment
foundation of right action
roleInNobleEightfoldPath support for right action
support for right livelihood
support for right speech
scripturalSource Pali Canon
various Vinaya texts
secondPrecept abstaining from taking what is not given
secondPreceptPositiveForm cultivating generosity and honesty in possessions
socialFunction promotion of social harmony
reduction of conflict and harm
spiritualFunction basis for higher precepts of monastic life
support for karma purification
thirdPrecept abstaining from sexual misconduct
thirdPreceptPositiveForm cultivating responsibility and respect in sexual conduct
undertakenAs voluntary training rules
undertakenBy Buddhist devotees on observance days
lay followers at ceremonies

Referenced by (3)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
Five Precepts ("Pañca-sīla")
canonicalTerm
Theravada
ethicalFoundation
Buddhism
ethicalPrecepts

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