Buddhism

====Precepts====
{{main|Five precepts}}
Buddhist scriptures explain the five precepts ({{lang-pi|italic=yes|pañcasīla}}; {{lang-sa|italic=yes|pañcaśīla}}) as the minimal standard of Buddhist morality.{{sfnp|Gowans|2013|page=440}} It is the most important system of morality in Buddhism, together with the [[Patimokkha|monastic rules]].<ref name="Goodman">{{cite web |last1=Goodman |first1=Charles |title=Ethics in Indian and Tibetan Buddhism |url=https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-indian-buddhism/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100708233552/http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-indian-buddhism/ |archive-date=8 July 2010 |url-status=live |website=The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy |publisher=Metaphysics Research Lab, [[Stanford University]] |date=2017}}</ref>

The five precepts are seen as a basic training applicable to all Buddhists. They are:{{sfnp|Williams|2005c|p=398}}<ref>{{cite book|author=Bodhi Bhikkhu |url=https://archive.org/details/greatdisciplesof00nyan/|title=Great Disciples of the Buddha: Their Lives, Their Works, Their Legacy|publisher=Wisdom Publications|year=1997|isbn=978-0-86171-128-4|page=[https://archive.org/details/greatdisciplesof00nyan/page/387 387, fn. 12]}}</ref>{{sfnp|Harvey|2000|p=67}}

# "I undertake the training-precept (''sikkha-padam'') to abstain from onslaught on breathing beings." This includes ordering or causing someone else to kill. The Pali suttas also say one should not "approve of others killing" and that one should be "scrupulous, compassionate, trembling for the welfare of all living beings".{{sfnp|Harvey|2000|p=69}}
# "I undertake the training-precept to abstain from taking what is not given." According to Harvey, this also covers fraud, cheating, forgery as well as "falsely denying that one is in debt to someone".{{sfnp|Harvey|2000|p=70}}
# "I undertake the training-precept to abstain from misconduct concerning sense-pleasures." This generally refers to [[adultery]], as well as rape and incest. It also applies to sex with those who are legally under the protection of a guardian. It is also interpreted in different ways in the varying Buddhist cultures.{{sfnp|Harvey|2000|pp=71-74}}
# "I undertake the training-precept to abstain from false speech." According to Harvey this includes "any form of lying, deception or exaggeration...even non-verbal deception by gesture or other indication...or misleading statements."{{sfnp|Harvey|2000|p=75}} The precept is often also seen as including other forms of wrong speech such as "divisive speech, harsh, abusive, angry words, and even idle chatter".{{sfnp|Harvey|2000|p=76}}
# "I undertake the training-precept to abstain from alcoholic drink or drugs that are an opportunity for heedlessness." According to Harvey, intoxication is seen as a way to mask rather than face the sufferings of life. It is seen as damaging to one's mental clarity, mindfulness and ability to keep the other four precepts.{{sfnp|Harvey|2000|p=77}}

Undertaking and upholding the five precepts is based on the principle of [[ahimsa|non-harming]] ([[Pāli]] and {{lang-sa|ahiṃsa|italic=yes}}).{{sfnp|Keown|2013 |page=616}} The [[Pali Canon]] recommends one to compare oneself with others, and on the basis of that, not to hurt others.{{sfnp|Harvey |2000 |pages=33, 71 }} Compassion and a belief in [[karma (Buddhism)|karmic retribution]] form the foundation of the precepts.{{sfnp|Ratanakul |2007 |page=241 }}{{sfnp|Horigan |1996 |page=276}} Undertaking the five precepts is part of regular lay devotional practice, both at home and at the local temple.{{sfnp|Terwiel |2012 |pp=178–179}}{{sfnp|Harvey |2000 |p=80}} However, the extent to which people keep them differs per region and time.{{sfnp|Ledgerwood|2008|page=152}}{{sfnp|Harvey |2000 |p=80}} They are sometimes referred to as the ''[[śrāvakayāna]] precepts'' in the [[Mahāyāna]] tradition, contrasting them with the [[bodhisattva Precepts|''bodhisattva'' precepts]].{{sfnp|Funayama|2004 |page=105}}