The Five Precepts

I have found a number of divergent forms of these precepts. Here is the one from Buddhism: Beginner’s Guide to Understanding Buddhism to Become Stress & Anxiety Free4th Edition, by Michael Williams, available on Amazon.

  1. “I undertake the precept to refrain from killing.”
  2. “I undertake the precept to refrain from taking what is not given.”
  3. “I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual misconduct.”
  4. “I undertake the precept to refrain from false speech.”
  5. “I undertake the precept to refrain from taking substances that cause a lack of attentiveness.”

Here is another version from No-Nonsense Zen for Beginners: Clear Answers to Burning Questions About Core Zen Teachings by Jason Quinn, also available on Amazon.

  1. I vow to abstain from taking life.
  2. I vow to abstain from taking things not given.
  3. I vow to abstain from misconduct done in lust.
  4. I vow to abstain from lying.
  5. I vow to abstain from intoxicants, taken to induce heedlessness.

And yet another version, this one from the Alan Watts Lecture Series, “You’re It” available from Sounds True.

  1. I undertake the precept to abstain from taking life.
  2. I undertake the precept to abstain from taking what is not given.
  3. I undertake the precept to abstain from exploiting the passions.
  4. I undertake the precept to abstain from falsifying speech.
  5. I undertake the precept to abstain from being intoxicated by [A list of names, presumably in Pali] whatever they were. [Laughs.] ….Nobody does know.

Return to the Eightfold Noble Path.

Return to the Buddhist Lists.

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