The Five Moral Precepts and The Six Perfections Flashcards
1
Q
Purpose of 5 moral precepts
A
- 5 moral prepts form a buddhist ethical code
- 5 principles buddhist follow to live ethically and morally
- practiced voluntarily to improve behaviour and purify their mind of greed, ignorance and hatred
2
Q
What are the 5 moral precepts
A
- To abstain from taking life - try not to harm or kill any living being e.g many buddhists are vegetarian or vegan
- To abstain from taking what is not freely given - as well as not stealing this means to also avoid manipulation or taking advatgae of others
- To abstain from the misuse of the senses or sexual misconduct - buddhists aim not to abuse or overindulge in sensual pleasures or to use sex harmfully
- To abstain from wrong speech - aim not to lie or gossip but to speak truthfully, kindly, helpfully, and at the right time
- To abstain from intoxicants that cloud the mind - not taking alcohol or drugs is important for Buddhists who have commited themselves to developing greater awareness
3
Q
how 5 moral precepts ate practiced
A
- buddhists do not believe in God who will punish them if they do not follow the precepts
- precepts should be applied sensitivly
- sometimes buddhists have to balance one precept against another for examplle what if being truthful will lead to harm? it may be more ethical to lie, if this is motivated by geunuine kindness
- precepts can be practiced on ever deepening levels especially at the level of the mind for example, a person who wants to hurt someone is still considered unskilful even if they dont do it
4
Q
importance of 5 moral precepts
A
- applying the precepts purifies the mind of greed, hatred and ignorance, replacing these traits with wisdom and compassion
5
Q
What are the six perfections
A
- cultavation of generosity
- cultivation of morality
- cultivation of patience
- cultivation of energy
- cultivation of meditation
- cultivation of wisdom
6
Q
Cultivation of generosity
A
- buddhists should give without expecting anything in return
- it is therefore important to develop awareness of the reasons for giving and to gradually purify these in order to give more freely
- Tibetan Buddhists talk about 2 main types of giving:
1. Giving material goods such as food, clothes, and money. These provide immediate relief for people’s suffering
2. Giving protevtion from fear. This means helping someone if they are afraid or in trouble
3. Giving the Dhamma (the Buddha’s teachings). This helps people to help themselves, so have a long-lasting impact.
7
Q
Cultivation of Morality
A
- Buddhists try to follow the 5 moral precepts
- Mahayna Buddhists to aim to follow a further five precepts. These include not talking about other people’s faults, not being stingy and angry, and not speaking badly of the three refuges
- Meditation and mindfulness help Buddhists to follow the precepts more willingly, without feeling restrained by them
8
Q
Cultivation of Patience
A
- A Bodhisattva embodies patiencem which is expressed through tolerance and endurance
- Buddhists aim to practise compassion towards those who show them anger, and have patience with themselves and others
- Understanding that suffering is an inevitable part of life (the first noble truth) helps Buddhists to develop the patience needed to endure it
9
Q
Cultivation of Energy
A
- Buddhists should put effort and enthusiasm into their practice of the Dhamma
- they should develop the courage and energ needed to strive for enlightenment
- this may mean looking after their own health, developing their practice, or studying the Buddha’s teachings
10
Q
Cultivatio of Meditation
A
- Meditation helps to develop the conecntartion and awareness needed to achieve wisdom
11
Q
Cultivation of Wisdom
A
- the first five perfections contribute to development of the sixth one
- by meditating and studying the Buddha’s teachingsm and by living ethically and morally, Buddhists aim to develop a full understanding of the nature of reality
