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Question 1

Brahmachyara

Answer 1

Means ‘live like gods’ and relates to the fact that monks are celibate and are free from thinking of themselves as a man or woman

Question 2

1: I undertake to abstain from harming

Answer 2

Understood in a very wide sense; not killing or hurting anyone, but also not hurting someone physically or mentally

Question 3

2: I undertake to abstain from taking anything that is not given

Answer 3

This does not mean only stealing, but it is a generous attitude towards others, e.g. wanting them to do well and not wasting their time or energy

Question 4

3: I undertake to abstain from the misuse of sex

Answer 4

This does not only mean not abusing sex, it also means not desperately seeking pleasure. Monks are celibate.

Question 5

4: I undertake to abstain from the misuse of speech

Answer 5

This does not involve only not lying, but also not gossiping or being argumentative

Question 6

5: I undertake to abstain from taking any substance that clouds the mind

Answer 6

Buddhism is about being mindful and looking suffering in the eye rather than trying to escape it. The way this precept is interpreted is very diverse. Drinking alcohol, for example, is acceptable to some Buddhists but not to others.

Question 7

6: I undertake to abstain from eating after midday

Answer 7

A bhikkhu whose mind is occupied with thoughts of supper is craving, and so is making very slow progress towards Buddhahood

Question 8

7: I undertake to abstain from dancing or singing

Answer 8

Enjoyment of such things increases worldly attachments

Question 9

8: I undertake to abstain from using perfume or garlands

Answer 9

You cannot improve life by making it smell/look better. The use of these items can lead to a form of attachment.

Question 10

9: I undertake to abstain from sleeping on comfortable beds

Answer 10

A bhikkhu should not think of sleep as an enjoyable pastime, but as a necessity. He can become enlightened only when awake or alert. Most bhikkhus sleep on a thin mat which they roll up during the day to carry with them.

Question 11

10: I undertake to abstain from handling money

Answer 11

A bhikkhu should not be attached to worldly things, as Buddhists should resist attachment

Question 12

Quote: Clive Erricker on the Five Precepts

Answer 12

‘At the heart of Buddhist ethical practice are the Five Precepts. These are rules which identify the aspirations of a Buddhist’

Question 13

The monastic precepts (dasa sila)

Answer 13

Specific to the monks and nuns, but some lay Buddhists choose to follow them at certain times of the year.
I undertake to abstain from eating after midday
I undertake to abstain from singing and dancing
I undertake to abstain from wearing perfume or garlands
I undertake to abstain from sleeping on comfortable beds
i undertake to abstain from handling money

Question 14

The Patimokkha

Answer 14

In addition to the ten monastic precepts, monks try to live up to 227 other rules found in the Vinaya Pitaka

Question 15

The Ten Precepts

Answer 15

The Sangha commit themselves to the first five precepts, and when a bhikkhu is ordained, he undertakes the entire Ten Precepts. These are not rules, but promises a bhikkhu makes to himself as ideals to live up to.
I undertake to abstain from...
Harming living creatures
Taking what is not given
Misuses of sex
Misuse of speech
Taking substances which cloud the mind
Eating after midday
Singing and dancing
Wearing perfumes and garlands
Sleeping in comfortable beds
Handling money

Question 16

The Buddha’s reasons why the rules of the Patimokkha are necessary

Answer 16

They are for the good of the Sangha
They control the monks behaviour
They prevent bad habits developing
They increase faith
They are part of the Dharma