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Sila
Śīla (Sanskrit) or sīla (Pāli) is usually rendered into English as "behavioral
discipline", "morality", or ethics. It is often translated as "precept". It is
an action that is an intentional effort. It is one of the three practices (sila
- samadhi - panya) and the second pāramitā. It refers to moral purity of
thought, word, and deed. The four conditions of śīla are chastity, calmness,
quiet, and extinguishment, i.e. no longer being susceptible to perturbation by
the passions.[citation needed]
Sīla refers to overall (principles of) ethical behaviour. There are several
levels of sila, which correspond to 'basic morality' (five precepts), 'basic
morality with asceticism' (eight precepts), 'novice monkhood' (ten precepts) and
'monkhood' (Vinaya or Patimokkha). Lay people generally undertake to live by the
five precepts which are common to all Buddhist schools. If they wish, they can
choose to undertake the eight precepts, which have some additional precepts of
basic asceticism.
The five precepts are not given in the form of commands such as "thou shalt not
...", but are training rules in order to live a better life in which one is
happy, without worries, and can meditate well.
1. To refrain from taking life. (i.e. non-violence towards sentient life forms)
2. To refrain from taking that which is not given (i.e. not committing theft).
3. To refrain from sensual misconduct (abstinence from immoral sexual behaviour).
4. To refrain from lying. (i.e. speaking truth always)
5. To refrain from intoxicants which lead to loss of mindfulness (refrain from
using drugs or alcohol.)
In the eight precepts, the third precept on sexual misconduct is made more
strict, and becomes a precept of celibacy.
The three additional rules of the eight precepts are:
6. To refrain from eating at the wrong time (only eat from sunrise to noon).
7. To refrain from dancing, using jewellery, going to shows, etc.
8. To refrain from using a high, luxurious bed.
Vinaya is the specific moral code for monks. In includes the Patimokkha, a set
of 227 rules in the Theravadin recension. The precise content of the
vinayapitaka (scriptures on Vinaya) differ slightly according to different
schools, and different schools or subschools set different standards for the
degree of adherence to Vinaya. Novice-monks use the ten precepts, which are the
basic precepts for monastics.
In Eastern Buddhism, there is also a distinctive Vinaya and ethics contained
within the Mahayana Brahmajala Sutra (not to be confused with the Pali text of
that name) for Bodhisattvas, where, for example, the eating of meat is frowned
upon and vegetarianism is actively encouraged (see vegetarianism in Buddhism).
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