Ethical Dimension Flashcards
The 5 precepts
Dharma, the five precepts.
(Precept number 1) Abstain from taking life (Including your own)
Not killing any life
Applies to both humans and animals
Many Buddhist chose to be vegetarian to fully follow this precept
(Precept number 2)Abstain from taking what is not given.
“What is not given” means that which belongs to someone else.
“Taking what is not given” is then the will to steal anything that one perceives as belonging to someone else, and to act so as to appropriate it.
(Precept number 3) Abstain from sensuous misconduct
Refraining from touching private body parts of other people
(Precept number 4) Abstain from false speech
“False speech” refers to the intentional act of deceiving others through either spoken or enacted falsehoods.
Lies violate the precept, as well as behaviors like self-inflation, pretending to know something, some forms of humor, and sarcasm.
(Precept number 5) Abstain from intoxicants that cloud the mind
Prevent from taking drugs and alcohol
Precept is meant for detoxifying our bodies and minds
Ethical Dimension meaning
The ethical and legal dimension of a religion provides a pathway of guidance on how an individual should live one’s life, and the punishments for denial of the guidance, usually in order to achieve happiness.
5 precepts example
Theravada Buddhist monks are forbidden to prepare their own meals, but can only beg for food and eat what they receive
Everyday, at 6:00 am, monks walk out carrying a large bowl, ready to beg and hopefully receive food donations
Monks stride around the temples barefoot
Whatever food is given is what they have for the day
Food HAS to be eaten and accepted
The reason Theravada buddhist monks do this is because of the second of Dharma’s five precepts
The second precept states a monk has to abstain from taking what is not given
Monks cannot cook or prepare their own meals, but can only consume what is given, whether tasty or not
