Dasa Sila (The Ten Precepts)
1. The training rule of abstaining from taking life.
2. The training rule of abstaining from taking what is not given.
3. The training rule of abstaining from sexual misconduct.
4. The training rule of abstaining from false speech
5. The training rule of abstaining from fermented and distilled intoxicants which are the basis for heedlessness.
These five precepts are the minimal ethical code binding on the Buddhist laity.
They
are administered regularly by the monks to the lay disciples at almost
every service and ceremony, following immediately upon taking the the
three refuges.
They are also undertaken afresh each day by earnest lay
Buddhists as part of their daily recitation.
6. Vikalabhojana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami, "I undertake the
training rule to abstain from eating beyond the time limit," i.e., from
mid-day to the following dawn.7. Nacca gita vadita visukhadassana-mala gandha vilepana dharanamandana
vibhusanatthana veramani sikkhapadam samamadiyami, "I undertake the
training rule to abstain from dancing, singing, instrumental music,
unsuitable shows, and from wearing garlands, using scents, and
beautifying the body with cosmetics."
8. Uccasayana mahasayana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami, "I undertake the
training rule to abstain from high and luxurious beds and seats."
There are two ways in which these precepts are observed — permanently and temporarily.
Permanent
observance, far the less common of the two, is undertaken generally by
older people who, having completed their family duties, wish to deepen
their spiritual development by devoting the later years of their life to
intensified spiritual practice.
Even then it is not very widespread.
Temporary
observance is usually undertaken by lay people either on Uposatha days
or on occasions of a meditation retreat.
Uposatha days are the new moon
and full moon days of the lunar month, which are set aside for special
religious observances, a custom absorbed into Buddhism from ancient
Indian custom going back even into the pre-Buddhistic period of Indian
history.
On these days lay people in Buddhist countries often take the
eight precepts, especially when they go to spend the Uposatha at a
temple or monastery.
On these occasions the undertaking of the eight
precepts lasts for a day and a night.
Then, secondly, on occasions of
retreat lay people take the eight precepts for the duration of their
retreat, which might last anywhere from several days to several months.
Dasa Sila (The Ten Precepts)
1. Panatipata veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
2. Adinnadana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
3. Abrahmacariya veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
4. Musavada veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
5. Sura meraya majja pamadatthana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
6. Vikala bhojana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
7. Nacca gita vadita visuka dassana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
8. Mala gandha vilepana dharana mandana vibhusanautthana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
9. Uccha sayana maha sayana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami vibhusanautthana
10. Jatarupa-rajata-patiggahana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
Dasa Sīla (The Ten Precepts) with Diacriticals
1. Pāṇātipātā veramaṇī‧sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi.
2. Adinnādānā veramaṇī‧sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi.
3. Abrahmacariyā veramaṇī‧sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi.
4. Musāvādā veramaṇī‧sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi.
5. Surā‧meraya‧majja‧pamādaṭṭhānā veramaṇī‧sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi.
6. Vikāla‧bhojanā veramaṇī‧sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi.
7. Nacca gīta‧vādita‧visūka‧dassana‧
8. Mālā‧gandha‧vilepana‧dhāraṇa‧maṇḍana‧vibhūsanaṭṭhānā veramaṇī‧sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi.
9. Uccā‧sayana‧mahā‧sayanā veramaṇī‧sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi
10. Jātarupa-rajata-patiggahanā veramaṇī‧sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi
Dasa Sīla (The Ten Precepts)
1. I undertake the Precept to refrain from killing and injuring living beings
2. I undertake the Precept to refrain from taking that which is not given
3. I undertake the Precept to abstain from all sexual activity and non-celibate conduct.
4. I undertake the Precept to refrain from false and harmful speech
5. I undertake the Precept to refrain from drink and drugs which fuddle the mind and reduce mindfulness
6. I undertake the Precept to abstain from eating at improper times
7. I undertake the Precept to abstain from dancing, singing, music, shows
8. I undertake the Precept to abstain from wearing garlands, using perfumes, and beautifying with cosmetics
9. I undertake the Precept to abstain from the use of high and large seats and beds
10. I undertake the Precept to abstain from accepting gold and silver (money in any form)
Although
Dasa Sila (The Ten Precepts) are often described as Monastic Precepts
they are also taken by some lay Buddhist Upasakas and Upasikas.
