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 Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 10:03 am
I am confused about the 5 precepts. What I want to know is are they the rules of buddism. I know what they are but not much about what they mean and what I have to do. Some say that you follow all of them some dont even mention them. Thank you
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Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 7:52 pm
Hm... lemme try.
Perhaps the first thing to recognize about the precepts is that they are not laws like the Ten Commandments are in the Bible. Rather they are pointers to help overcome attachment. Killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying and intoxication are all ways of feeding the ego, and most likely will cause suffering to others. Being that the general idea is to transcend the illusion of ego, it doesn't do much good to go around encouraging it along.
There's also a practical side to this too. If you go around murdering people and getting drunk all the time... then it's hard to imagine how you could get very far in your practice with all the trouble likely to follow that kind of behavior.
Though my understanding is that the precepts need not be taken literally. Monks and nuns tend to take vows to up hold it... but as a laymen, it's enough to do the best you can. And if not.. there's always next time. No rush. (I'm on the 20 billion year plan, myself. What can I say... I like this place. ninja )
Generally, the safest way to gauge it is to avoid behavior that is excessive or potentially a danger to the well-being of others and yourself. It's one thing to go out and have a drink with your friends. It's another to make drinking the focal point of the relationship.
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Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 2:03 pm
Kagerou Osajima Hm... lemme try. Perhaps the first thing to recognize about the precepts is that they are not laws like the Ten Commandments are in the Bible. Rather they are pointers to help overcome attachment. Killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying and intoxication are all ways of feeding the ego, and most likely will cause suffering to others. Being that the general idea is to transcend the illusion of ego, it doesn't do much good to go around encouraging it along. There's also a practical side to this too. If you go around murdering people and getting drunk all the time... then it's hard to imagine how you could get very far in your practice with all the trouble likely to follow that kind of behavior. Though my understanding is that the precepts need not be taken literally. Monks and nuns tend to take vows to up hold it... but as a laymen, it's enough to do the best you can. And if not.. there's always next time. No rush. (I'm on the 20 billion year plan, myself. What can I say... I like this place. ninja ) Generally, the safest way to gauge it is to avoid behavior that is excessive or potentially a danger to the well-being of others and yourself. It's one thing to go out and have a drink with your friends. It's another to make drinking the focal point of the relationship. Hmm, Im not overly well informed on this stuff but what you said seemed pretty much right. Personal I'm trying for better then 20 billion, so I try to follow them a bit more. I even gave up drinking. But personal I would tell you to worry more about being mindful. These "rules" fall into place alot better as you become more "awake."
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Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 3:15 pm
Vows are made so you do not create more negative karma for yourself. Without taking vows, or saying you will NOT do this, then they are just words on paper for you.
Vows should be taken with ones teacher.
- Sherab
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Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 3:36 pm
Eye_seE Hmm, Im not overly well informed on this stuff but what you said seemed pretty much right. Personal I'm trying for better then 20 billion, so I try to follow them a bit more. I even gave up drinking. But personal I would tell you to worry more about being mindful. These "rules" fall into place alot better as you become more "awake." Wise. I tend to focus more on mindfulness myself, as I understand that the precepts and much else will naturally fall into place as one becomes more attune to their nature. It's just another way to walk the path, I guess. As for the 20 billion. Going by the estimation of the Big Bang being near 14 billion years ago... and the Sun being due to swallow the Earth in about 5-6 billion... I figure it's enough time to get in a whole lot of compassion. Anything left behind by then is certainly going to need it. I'm just playing around, yes. Kinda. whee
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Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 1:31 pm
Gavriel0 Vows are made so you do not create more negative karma for yourself. Without taking vows, or saying you will NOT do this, then they are just words on paper for you. Vows should be taken with ones teacher. - Sherab I dont have a teacher. I dont think there are any where I live
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Posted: Sat Jun 17, 2006 12:10 pm
O.o_muffin_o.O I dont have a teacher. I dont think there are any where I live You may be suprised. Have you tried doing a search on Google.com for meditation centers in your area? Or perhaps consult beliefnet.com ....? Good luck! heart
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Posted: Sat Jun 17, 2006 2:21 pm
Alvarea O.o_muffin_o.O I dont have a teacher. I dont think there are any where I live You may be suprised. Have you tried doing a search on Google.com for meditation centers in your area? Or perhaps consult beliefnet.com ....? Good luck! heart Thank you I ave found a group meeting and hope to learn more.
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Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 6:07 am
O.o_muffin_o.O Gavriel0 Vows are made so you do not create more negative karma for yourself. Without taking vows, or saying you will NOT do this, then they are just words on paper for you. Vows should be taken with ones teacher. - Sherab I dont have a teacher. I dont think there are any where I live Doing them befroe a statue of Shakyamuni is fine, or any image of him.
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Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2006 9:07 pm
Gavriel0 Vows are made so you do not create more negative karma for yourself. Without taking vows, or saying you will NOT do this, then they are just words on paper for you. Vows should be taken with ones teacher. - Sherab I don't like the word vow. It's like "I want to do it but I wont let myself." I like the mindset of "I don't want to do it."
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Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 6:33 pm
zaMmaP Gavriel0 Vows are made so you do not create more negative karma for yourself. Without taking vows, or saying you will NOT do this, then they are just words on paper for you. Vows should be taken with ones teacher. - Sherab I don't like the word vow. It's like "I want to do it but I wont let myself." I like the mindset of "I don't want to do it." That's a good way to put it 3nodding
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