The Five Precepts : The Basis of Buddhist Ethics

For common Buddhists, the Five Precepts form the foundation for an ethical behaviour.

These Five precepts are :

• Prevent taking life of beings : Every living being has a right to life and it should be honoured by one and all.
• Prevent taking things not given : One should neither steel nor accept things meant for someone else.
• Prevent sensual misconduct : One should not only refrain from sexual misconduct but also avoid excessive sensual pleasure of any kind (like gluttony)
• Prevent making false statements : This not only includes lying but also slander and speech that might cause harm to others.
• Prevent taking substance that cause intoxication : This precept is important in the sense that it could be the cause of other four precepts being broken.

These Five precepts