Schools > Students > Ages 15-16 > Living the Buddhist life > Ahimsa and PreceptsAhimsa and the Precepts
Ahimsa: non-harm
The Pali word himsa means force.Ahimsa means no-force, or non-violence.
The Five Precepts form the basis of Buddhist ethics.
The first Precept expresses the principle of non-harm, or ahimsa.
The principle of ahimsa
- is based on an understanding of the interconnectedness of all life
- extends to all living beings
- covers any deliberate action of thought, word or deed
- involves avoiding deliberate harm and striving to bring about the greatest good
The other Precepts apply this principle to specific areas of behaviour, such as speech and sexual activity.
The Five Precepts
I undertake to abstain from taking life.With deeds of loving kindness I purify my body.
I undertake to abstain from taking what has not been given.With open handed generosity I purify my body.
I undertake to abstain from sexual misconduct.With stillness, simplicity and contentment I purify my body.
I undertake to abstain from false speech.With truthful communication I purify my speech.
I undertake to abstain from intoxicants that cloud the mind.With mindfulness, clear and radiant, I purify my mind.
Guidelines for Living
For Buddhists, the Five Precepts provide guidelines for leading an ethical life.The Precepts
- apply to all relationships including marriage, family life and sexual relationships
- express the principle of ahimsa or non-harm
- are based on an understanding of the interconnectedness of all life
- extend to all beings
- cover any deliberate action of thought, word or deed
- indicate harmful behaviour to avoid and positive behaviour to develop
- are not commandments, but a set of principles taken on voluntarily - in Buddhism there is no God to lay down commandments
Lists of Precepts occur in several places in the Buddhist scriptures. The following is taken from the Anguttara-Nikaya (The Book of Gradual Sayings) in the Sutta Pitaka of the Pali canon.
When a lay follower possesses five things,
he lives with confidence in his house,
and he will find himself in heaven
as sure as if he had been carried off and put there.
What are the five?
He abstains from:
killing breathing things,
from taking what is not given,
from misconduct in sensual desires,
from speaking falsehood,
and from indulging in liquor, wine, and fermented brews.
Anguttara-Nikaya (The Book of Gradual Sayings) Sutta Pitaka
The basic Precepts are the same for all Buddhists, but at their ordination monks and nuns take on a vinaya, or set of rules of conduct. These rules of conduct differ from one tradition or school to another.
Here's how Triratna/FWBO introduce the 5 precepts