11 - Dasa Sila

Dasa = 5 Sila = precepts

Panka sila

Panka = 5 Sila = precepts

• Refrain from destroying living creatures  

• Refrain from taking that which is not given  

• Refrain from sexual misconduct  

• Refrain from incorrect speech  

• Refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs  

There are 8 precepts for Lay people to follow on special periods such as Uposathsa days

This consists of:

Panka Sila

Third one extends to all sexual activity

PLUS:

• refrain from eating after midday

• refrain from dancing, singing, music, entertainment, wearing garlands, perfume, cosmetics

• refrain from lying on a high or luxurious sleeping place

• refrain from accepting gold or silver (money)

Dasa Sila:

10 precepts for monks and nuns

Not rules or commandments – more like guidelines.   

Some see them as like vows/commitments, or as ‘training aspirations’

In Buddhist ethics, there are no good or bad actions, and no ‘oughts’.  

Precepts are not absolutes, but helpful guidance.  

Instead of good and bad, Buddhism tends to view actions as (un)skilful, (un)fruitful or (in)appropriate.  

If you break them, it’s not like sin in other religions.  

Feeling guilty is too self-indulgent. Move on and change your behaviour for the better.  

Precepts encourage personal responsibility.  

Remember “right intention” in the 8fold path – this is more important than the action itself.  

Some Buddhists take them very literally and discourage widening their interpretation.  

Others look more into the spirit of the precept and seek to apply that rather than the literal words. E.g. Harvey says that the fifth precept (drink/drugs) is really about inattentiveness so anything that causes a lack of focus should be avoided.