Buddhist Morality Information
Śīla (Sanskrit) or sīla (Pāli) in Buddhism is virtue,[1] good conduct,[2] morality,[3] moral discipline[4] and precept.[5] It is an action that is an intentional effort. It is one of the three practices — sīla, samādhi and paññā and the second pāramitā. It is moral purity of thought, word, and deed. Sīla is overall (principles of) ethical behavior.
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Levels of sila
There are several levels of sila, which correspond to the basic morality of five precepts, the basic morality with asceticism of eight precepts, novice ordination's ten precepts and full ordination's vinaya or patimokkha. Laypeople generally undertake to live by the five precepts which are common to all Buddhist schools. If they wish, they can choose to undertake the eight precepts, which have some additional precepts of basic asceticism.
Five Precepts
Main article: Five PreceptsThe five precepts are not given in the form of commands, but are training guidelines to help one live a life in which one is happy, without worries, and able to meditate well.[6] They are:[7]
- I undertake the training rule to abstain from taking life;
- I undertake the training rule to abstain from taking what is not given;
- I undertake the training rule to abstain from sexual misconduct;
- I undertake the training rule to abstain from false speech; and
- I undertake the training rule to abstain from liquors, wines, and other intoxicants, which are the basis for heedlessness.
In Buddhist thought, the cultivation of giving (dāna) and ethical conduct will themselves refine consciousness to such a level that rebirth in one of the lower heavens is likely,[8] even if there is no further Buddhist practice. There is nothing improper or un-Buddhist about limiting one's aims to this level of attainment, although by itself it does not gain one nirvāna or end suffering.[6]
Eight Precepts
Main article: The Eight PreceptsDuring special occasionans, monastic retreats for lay followers, and such, a more stringent set of precepts is undertaken, usually for 24 hours, until dawn the following day. The eight precepts encourage further discipline and are modled on the monastic code. Note that in the eight precepts, the third precept on sexual misconduct is made more strict and becomes a precept of celibacy.
The three additional rules of the Eight Precepts are:[7]
- “I accept the training rule to abstain from food at improper times.” (e.g. no solid foods after noon, and not until dawn the following day)
- “I accept the training rule (a) to abstain from dancing, singing, instrumental music, and shows, and (b) from the use of jewelry, cosmetics, and beauty lotions.”
- “I accept the training rule to abstain from the use of high and luxurious beds and seats.”
Ten Precepts
Main article: Five Precepts#Ten PreceptsNovice-monks use the ten precepts, which are the basic precepts for monastics: people who have left the domestic life and live in monasteries.
Patimokkha
Main article: PatimokkhaVinaya is the specific moral code for nuns and monks . It includes the patimokkha, a set of rules (227 for monks in the Theravādin recension). The precise content of the scriptures on vinaya (vinayapiṭaka) differ slightly according to different schools, and different schools or subschools set different standards for the degree of adherence to the vinaya.
Mahāyāna Precepts
Main article: Bodhisattva vowsIn Mahāyāna Buddhism, there is also a distinctive vinaya and ethics for bodhisattvas contained within the Mahāyāna Brahmajala Sutra (not to be confused with the Pāli text of that name). These exist above and beyond the existing monastic code, or lay follower precepts.[9] Here the eating of meat, for example, is frowned upon and vegetarianism is actively encouraged (See: vegetarianism in Buddhism). These precepts, have no parallel in Theravāda Buddhism.
See also
Notes
- ^ Gethin (1998), p. 170; Harvey (2007), p. 199; Ñāṇamoli (1999), pp. 3 passim; Nyanatiloka (1988), entry for "sīla"; Thanissaro (1999); and, Warder (2004), p. 100.
- ^ Gethin (1998), p. 170.
- ^ Gombrich (2002), p. 89; Nyanatiloka (1988), entry for "sīla"; and Saddhatissa (1987), pp. 54, 56.
- ^ Bodhi (2005), p. 153.
- ^ "Sīla" is particularly translated as "precept" in the context of the five precepts (pañca-sīlā), although even here Harvey (2007) uses the more literal translation of "five virtues."
- ^ a b Stewart McFarlane in Peter Harvey, ed., Buddhism. Continuum, 2001, pages 195-196.
- ^ a b "Bodhi Monastery: the Five Precepts" (in English). http://www.bodhimonastery.net/bm/precepts.html. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
- ^ Maha-parinibbana Sutta, section 24 (Chinese parallel found in the 遊行經 of Taisho Tripitaka Vol. 1, No. 1 長阿含經, CBETA
- ^ Bodiford, William M. (2008). Soto Zen in Medieval Japan (Studies in East Asian Buddhism). University of Hawaii Press. pp. 22–36. ISBN 0824833031.
Sources
- Bodhi, Bhikkhu (2005). In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon. Boston: Wisdom Publications. ISBN 0-86171-491-1.
- Gethin, Rupert (1998). The Foundations of Buddhism. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-289223-1.
- Gombrich, Richard (2002). Theravāda Buddhism: A Social History from Ancient Benares to Modern Colombo. London: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-07585-8.
- Harvey, Peter (1990). An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History and Practices. Cambridge: Cambridge University. ISBN 0-521-31333-3.
- Ñāṇamoli, Bhikkhu (trans.) (1999). The Path of Purification: Visuddhimagga. Seattle, WA: BPS Pariyatti Editions. ISBN 1-928706-00-2.
- Nyanatiloka Mahathera (1988). Buddhist Dictionary: Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines. Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society. ISBN 955-24-0019-8. Retrieved 2008-02-17 from "BuddhaSasana" at http://www.budsas.org/ebud/bud-dict/dic_idx.htm.
- Saddhatissa, Hammalawa (1987). Buddhist Ethics: The Path to Nirvāna. London: Wisdom Publications. ISBN 0-86171-53-3.
- Thanissaro Bhikkhu (1999). The Ten Perfections: A Study Guide. Retrieved 2008-02-17 from "Access to Insight" at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/study/perfections.html.
- Warder, A.K. (2004). Indian Buddhism. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 81-208-1741-9.
External links
- Sila as explained in the Buddhist Encyclopedia.
- Sila as experienced in rural villages of India.
Categories: Buddhist ethics | Buddhist terms | Pāli words and phrases | Religious ethics | Sanskrit words and phrases
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