I know one cannot realistically steal from themselves, but do the other four apply to the person unto themselves, or only to other beings? I felt I should ask as I am somewhat confused about it.
I have a question about the 3rd precept : no sexual misconduct. Have some buddhist scholars written on the harms of pornography, masturbation and perhaps potential harms of homosexuality and gender changing? I am used to abrahamic traditions with set rules for lay people. So I might see things from a certain bias.
I have listened to some buddhist monks and the way they present the teachings is sometimes like: anything goes for you as lay people as long as there is no harm involved only when you become a monk you should become celebate.
In my opinion, it kinda permits sexual promiscuity and decadency. Or perhaps I have misunderstood?
Any advice for lay people with regards to sexual conduct? Or book recommendations? I am so used to the idea of no sex before marriage and full monogamy, but now it is kinda all doors are wide open.
Thank you 🙏
I’m originally a muslim but god am I a skeptic..
I’m just confused and don’t know where is truth for me. I don’t want to betray god but I find peace in the dhamma and I’m someone who reads and speculate, I overthink.
I’m afraid and wish to find peace.
thus the question, what r the practicals for this kind of situation?
Below are some excerpts from Hoofprint of the Ox, by Master Sheng-Yen, Phd, Buddhist Literature, Rissho University, Japan.
For comparison, this is followed by Uposatha in Brief, a sutta from the Pali Canon, in translation by Bhikkhu Bodhi.
I think these quotes give an example of how much overlap there is between Theravada and Mahayana on truly core concepts. Master Sheng-Yen’s comments can serve as a good introduction to the Pali sutta.
Master Sheng-Yen:
>"Without precepts one's practice will be like a leaky bucket. Every day the purifying waters of meditation are poured in, until one begins to feel strong and full of vigor. Unless one is firmly grounded in the precepts, the vigor may spill out in all kinds of destructive ways, bringing harm to oneself as well as to others. If lust, anger and foolishness rise, it is simply not Buddhism one is practicing." (p. 64)
>"According to the Buddhist ritual calendar, there are six days in every lunar month, known as the days of the uposatha fast .... laypeople on these days will often visit temples, attend lectures or meditations, take part in rites of worship and offering, read or recite scripture, and engage in other forms of meritorious activity.
>"Because they so closely anticipate the monastic life, the eight precepts are literally called the 'eight precepts that shut the gate' (baguan jie), meaning that, through these observances, one temporarily shuts the door on samsara and the household life and moves toward the liberative path of the renunciant.'" (p. 56)
>"[I]f one is incapable of completely severing worldly entanglements and leaving the household, one should still keep the eight observances of the uposatha fast in order to open a road out of the prison of cyclic birth and death. One must, above all, never think that the work of the Buddhist path is completed by a simple profession of faith or refuge in the Three Jewels" (p. 60)
>"One of the oldest and most venerable statement of the Buddhist path says:
>To refrain from engaging in any evil,
>To undertake to cultivate all that is good,
>And to pursue the purification of one's own mind.
>This is the teaching of all the Buddhas.
>—from the Dhammapada" (p. 61)
The Uposatha in brief AN 8:41
>
>Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Park. There the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus: “Bhikkhus!”
>“Venerable sir!” those bhikkhus replied. The Blessed One said this:
>“Bhikkhus, observed complete in eight factors, the uposatha is of great fruit and benefit, extraordinarily brilliant and pervasive. And how is the uposatha observed complete in eight factors, so that it is of great fruit and benefit, extraordinarily brilliant and pervasive?
>“Here, bhikkhus, a noble disciple reflects thus: ‘As long as they live the arahants abandon and abstain from the destruction of life; with the rod and weapon laid aside, conscientious and kindly, they dwell compassionate toward all living beings. Today, for this night and day, I too shall abandon and abstain from the destruction of life; with the rod and weapon laid aside, conscientious and kindly, I too shall dwell compassionate toward all living beings. I shall imitate the arahants in this respect and the uposatha will be observed by me.’ This is the first factor it possesses.
>“‘As long as they live the arahants abandon and abstain from taking what is not given; they take only what is given, expect only what is given, and dwell honestly without thoughts of theft. Today, for this night and day, I too shall abandon and abstain from taking what is not given; I shall accept only what is given, expect only what is given, and dwell honestly without thoughts of theft. I shall imitate the arahants in this respect and the uposatha will be observed by me.’ This is the second factor it possesses.
>“‘As long as they live the arahants abandon sexual activity and observe celibacy, living apart, abstaining from sexual intercourse, the common person’s practice. Today, for this night and day, I too shall abandon sexual activity and observe celibacy, living apart, abstaining from sexual intercourse, the common person’s practice. I shall imitate the arahants in this respect and the uposatha will be observed by me.’ This is the third factor it possesses.
>“‘As long as they live the arahants abandon and abstain from false speech; they speak truth, adhere to truth; they are trustworthy and reliable, no deceivers of the world. Today, for this night and day, I too shall abandon and abstain from false speech; I shall speak truth, adhere to truth; I shall be trustworthy and reliable, no deceiver of the world. I shall imitate the arahants in this respect and the uposatha will be observed by me.’ This is the fourth factor it possesses.
>“‘As long as they live the arahants abandon and abstain from liquor, wine, and intoxicants, the basis for heedlessness. Today, for this night and day, I too shall abandon and abstain from liquor, wine, and intoxicants, the basis for heedlessness. I shall imitate the arahants in this respect and the uposatha will be observed by me.’ This is the fifth factor it possesses.
>“‘As long as they live the arahants eat once a day, abstaining from eating at night and from food outside the proper time. Today, for this night and day, I too shall eat once a day, abstaining from eating at night and from food outside the proper time. I shall imitate the arahants in this respect and the uposatha will be observed by me.’ This is the sixth factor it possesses.
>“‘As long as they live the arahants abstain from dancing, singing, instrumental music, and unsuitable shows, and from adorning and beautifying themselves by wearing garlands and applying scents and unguents. Today, for this night and day, I too shall abstain from dancing, singing, instrumental music, and unsuitable shows, and from adorning and beautifying myself by wearing garlands and applying scents and unguents. I shall imitate the arahants in this respect and the uposatha will be observed by me.’ This is the seventh factor it possesses.
>“‘As long as they live the arahants abandon and abstain from the use of high and luxurious beds; they lie down on a low resting place, either a small bed or a straw mat. Today, for this night and day, I too shall abandon and abstain from the use of high and luxurious beds; I shall lie down on a low resting place, either a small bed or a straw mat. I shall imitate the arahants in this respect and the uposatha will be observed by me.’ This is the eighth factor it possesses.
>“It is in this way, bhikkhus, that the uposatha is observed complete in eight factors, so that it is of great fruit and benefit, extraordinarily brilliant and pervasive.”
>
https://suttacentral.net/an8.41/en/bodhi?lang=en&reference=main&highlight=false
Hello everyone! I have recently decided to start observing Uposatha days, so I was wondering what the best practice is when it comes to interacting with a partner/spouse. Obviously anything which breaks celibacy (and adjacent speech and thoughts) should be avoided, but what about more innocent expressions of affection? Presumably I should not completely ignore her or treat her in a cold way?
Upavasatha/uposatha observance dates for 2026 based on the guidance provided by Dharma Drum Mountain and both Dhammayuttika Nikāya and Mahānikāya (Thailand).
How many precepts do you keep? Do the majority of people here stick to the basic five or are there many eight precept people here? All the time eight or just on uposatha days?
The following are the ten major Bodhisattva precepts (also known as the "Brahma Net Precepts"), widely followed in East Asian Mahayana traditions:
1.Respect life: Do not kill or encourage others to kill.
3.Honor the body: Do not engage in licentious acts (or misuse sexuality) or encourage others to do so.
4.Manifest truth: Do not use false words and speech (lying) or encourage others to do so.
5.Proceed clearly: Do not trade or sell alcoholic beverages (or consume them, in some interpretations) or encourage others to do so.
6.See the perfection: Do not broadcast the misdeeds or faults of the Buddhist assembly (monks and nuns) or encourage others to do so.
7.Realize self and others as one: Do not praise yourself and speak ill of others, or encourage others to do so.
8.Give generously: Do not be stingy with material aid or the Dharma (withholding) or encourage others to be so.
9.Actualize harmony: Do not harbor anger or encourage others to be angry.
10.Experience the intimacy of things: Do not speak ill of (slander) the Buddha, the Dharma, or the Sangha (the Triple Jewel) or encourage others to do so.
I've seen people talk about 5 precepts and the 8 and 10 ones.. but as a lay pureland buddhist.. I feel like these are beyond the basic precepts and are absolutely doable for us ❤️