Under the influence of drink, a man may break
all the precepts without even realizing at the
time that he is doing so. Besides, the alcoholic
as well as the drug addict will stop at nothing
to obtain the means of satisfying their craving.
The Five Precepts are the Buddha's
fundamental morali ty. Being universal in their
application, any society regardless of race,
culture and religion can follow them. They are
timeless, requiring no modifications to suit our
present needs.
- The Eight Precepts (Atthanga Sila)
On Uposatha* days, the Buddhist layman
observes extra precepts - the Eight
Precepts. They are vows of a mildly ascetic
nature whose purpose is to subdue the
senses and strengthen the will.The Eight Precepts begins with the same Five
Precepts, with the exception of the third.
Instead of abstaining from sexual misconduct,
it becomes, "Abrahmacariya veramani
sikkhapadam samadiyami" - "I take the
training rule to abstain from sexual pleasure of
any kind".
This is a special discipline aimed at
strengthening self-control. Just as a skillful
horseman trains a wild stallion by patience and
firmness, so does the lay disciple subdue the
passion of his mind.
A brahmacariya does not mean only abstaining
from the sexual act. It means putting away all
lustful thoughts and training the mind towards
the extinction of desire.
Sixth Precept:
Vikalabhojana veramanisikkhapadam
samadiyami
I take the training rule to abstain from taking
food at an unsuitable time.The lay devotee temporarily adopts the rule of
the Bhikkhu Sangha in regard to food, by
restricting himself to one meal or two taken
before midday. It is a prescription against the
overindulgenceof appetite which tends to dull
the mind and is not conducive to study and
meditation. Buddhists are moderate in their
practice. For those who have to do physical
work, it is not desirable that the body should be
weakened by too rigorous fasting. Controlling
oneself to eat moderately is better than
excessive fasting.Seventh Precept:
Naccagita vadita visukkadassana mala
gandha vilepana dharana mandana
vibhusanathana veramani sikkhapadam
samadiyami
I take the training rule to abstain from
dancing, singing, music and unseemly shows;
from the use of perfume, garlands, and
unguent, and from bodily adornments.This precept is concerned with thepurification
of the mind. Craving arises from contact
between objects and the organ of sense. To
control this craving, Buddhism urges us to
abstain from frivolous pleasures and self-
beautification.*Days of observances which fall on every full-
moon, new-moon, and quarter-moon days.