Values? Who’s values?

Buddhism is as much a philosophy as it is a religion. As a philosophy, much emphasis is placed on ethics. 

The first five precepts of Buddhism are: 

1. Not to harm any living being. 

2. Not to take anything that was not freely given. 

3. Not to partake in excessive sexual pleasures and to remain monogamous. 

4. To speak and think truthfully, kindly, and compassionately. 

5. To shun all intoxicants.

 A more detailed explantion of these five precepts can be found below. 

 1) To undertake the training to avoid taking the life of beings. This precept applies to all living beings not just humans. All beings have a right to their lives and that right should be respected. 

 2) To undertake the training to avoid taking things not given. This precept goes further than mere stealing. One should avoid taking anything unless one can be sure that is intended that it is for you. 

 3) To undertake the training to avoid sensual misconduct. This precept is often mistranslated or misinterpreted as relating only to sexual misconduct but it covers any overindulgence in any sensual pleasure such as gluttony as well as misconduct of a sexual nature. 

 4) To undertake the training to refrain from false speech. As well as avoiding lying and deceiving, this precept covers slander as well as speech which is not beneficial to the welfare of others. 

 5) To undertake the training to abstain from substances which cause intoxication and heedlessness. This precept is in a special category as it does not infer any intrinsic evil in, say, alcohol itself but indulgence in such a substance could be the cause of breaking the other four precepts.

Applying the 5 Precepts in our lives

Applying these principles in our daily lives can be difficult, but the rewards are numerous. We can cultivate inner peace and compassion for all beings by following these guidelines. We can also generate positive karma, which can result in more happiness and well-being for ourselves and those around us.

To begin applying the Five Precepts in our lives, we can examine our actions and intentions. We can consider whether our actions promote life and respect for all beings, or whether they cause harm or suffering. We can also practice mindfulness, which entails being present at the moment and observing our thoughts and actions objectively.

We can also cultivate virtues like generosity, kindness, and compassion to help us live by the Five Precepts. We can make the world a more peaceful and harmonious place by freely giving to others, speaking with kindness and truthfulness, and avoiding actions that cause harm or suffering.

Challenges in Applying the 5 Precepts in our lives

With the increasingly chaotic and materialistic society that we find ourselves living in today, it can be challenging to apply the five precepts of Buddhism to our daily lives. The five ethical precepts—abstaining from killing, stealing, lying, sexual misconduct, and intoxicants—promote overall well-being and harmony, but may require us to forego certain habits or possessions that are deeply rooted in our culture. 

Furthermore, balancing these teachings with our ambitions and responsibilities might be difficult in a world where everything is centered around our successes. Despite the challenges, however, adapting even some of these ancient traditions can bring us closer to inner peace and allow us to experience life on a deeper level.