Does taking prescription drugs break the 5th precept?
No, not if they are prescribed by a doctor and are taken as instructed.
Does eating meat count as killing?
No. Killing is killing and eating is eating. However if we tell someone to kill an animal, for any reason, that breaks the precept against killing. If we buy meat that was not killed at our request, that does not break the precept.
What if I broke the precepts in the past?
It’s fair to say that most people have broken precepts at some point in the past. The Buddha taught that it is not really helpful to spend time regretting things we have done in the past. What is helpful is trying to keep the precepts now.
What if I break a precept?
This is totally normal and should be expected. We can’t do anything about the past other than re-commit to following the precept in the future. In the moment you realize you have broken a precept, reflect on what happened and determine to follow it in the future. This is why many people recite the precepts in the morning and evening each day. This has the double purpose of reminding us to follow the precepts as well as knowing that we are starting with a clean slate.
Can I break the precepts accidentally?
No, the Five Precepts cannot be broken accidentally. So, for example, if while we are walking we accidentally step on an insect, this does not break the precept of killing. If we unknowingly say something that is not true but we think it is, that does not break the precept of lying.
What are the daily precepts taught for laypeople? How should they be protected?
Buddha taught the laypeople to observe five precepts in their day to day lives. Those are, Refrain from killing – That is, refrain from killing any being. This being can be in a just formed embryo or a fully grown person or an animal. Refrain from Stealing – Refrain from taking anything that is not yours with a stealing mind. Refrain from sexual misconduct – There can be women who live under the protection of a mother, a father, both mother and father, a brother, a sister, relatives, or under a tribe. Also, some women have committed their lives to practice [...]
What is virtue?
Virtue in Buddhism is the procedure to control one’s bodily actions and the words. It is the way the Buddha taught us to manage our actions in fulfilling the path to realize Dhamma. This virtue also helps the disciple’s effort of developing three parts, the Samma Vacha, Samma Kammanta, and Samma Ajeeva, of the Noble Eightfold Path. There is also a number of benefits that you can enjoy in this life because of this virtue. In fact, the virtue can be protected by lay people as well as the monks.
What are the qualities of a righteous ruler according to Buddhism?
This is how a righteous ruler who rules his kingdom with high moral standards is described in Buddhism. Buddha taught us that a righteous ruler must develop ten merits (Dasa Kusal). Those are, Refrain from killing beings. Refrain from stealing belongings of other people. Refrain from sexual misconducts. Refrain from lying. Refrain from divulge secrets. Refrain from speaking harsh words. Refrain from speaking meaningless words. Refrain from desire for others' belongings. Refrain from hate others. Refrain from following and practicing fictitious worshiping and free from false believes. In the teachings of Buddha, it is also said that the righteous ruler after [...]
How can we achieve the world peace according to Buddhism?
Every burning problem in the world today has been generated based on the lust, hatred, and ignorance. People kill other beings keeping these three as a basis for their killings. Furthermore, they steal, commit adultery, tell lies, and consume alcohol and drugs based on these three things. In fact, these are the causes for most of the crises in the world today. The Supreme Buddha taught us the reason for wars to exist in the world as follows. When we see a figure from our eyes we feel a sensation due to the connection (Passa) of eyes, the figure, and specific [...]
What does kindness mean according to Buddhism?
If a person feels sorry for someone when he is suffering and hope for him to free from that suffering, then it is called kindness. The first person to preach about becoming kind towards others is the Most Compassionate One, the Buddha. It was because of his great compassion towards all beings.