The Five Precepts

The Five Precepts are the core ethical guidelines for Buddhist laypeople, designed to foster peace and moral development. They are voluntary commitments to abstain from harming oneself and others, rather than divine commands:

1. Refrain from killing (non-violence toward living beings).

2. Refrain from stealing (not taking what is not given).

3. Refrain from sexual misconduct (avoiding harmful or exploitative relationships).

4. Refrain from false speech (avoiding lies, gossip, and harsh speech).

5. Refrain from intoxicants (avoiding drugs/alcohol that cloud the mind).