Buddhism in Five Minutes - Elizabeth J. Harris
55. What Vows do Buddhists Take?
Buddhism in Five Minutes - Elizabeth J. Harris
Nick Swann [+]
University of South Wales
Nick Swann is a Senior Lecturer in Buddhist Studies at University of South Wales, UK. His research interests include Buddhist Ethics, Buddhist Tantra, and Anthropology and Religion.
Description
It is not necessary to take any precepts in order to be a Buddhist (“taking refuge” in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha is enough for this) but many Buddhists do, voluntarily. The number of precepts and the attitude toward them varies across different Buddhist cultures and also depends on whether one is a lay Buddhist or a monk or nun. The focus of this “answer” is on lay precepts. The five basic precepts for lay people are: • avoid killing (onslaught on living beings); • avoid taking what is not given; • avoid sexual misconduct; • avoid wrong speech; • avoid intoxication.