The Ethical Five Precepts in Buddhism, Jainism, and Sant Mat

The Ethical Five Precepts (Pancha Sila) — From The Buddhist Center Website, these are very universal ethical principles of non-violence, peace and tranquility promoting spiritual development and quality meditation experience. Note: the first precept is following a vegetarian diet. And for a rapidly growing number of spiritual seekers and initiates, this now means adopting a vegan diet.

1. Not killing or causing harm to other living beings. This is the fundamental ethical principle for Buddhism, and all the other precepts are elaborations of this. The precept implies acting non-violently wherever possible… The positive counterpart of this precept is love.

2. Not taking the not-given. Stealing is an obvious way in which one can harm others. One can also take advantage of people, exploit them, or manipulate them. All these can be seen as ways of taking the not given. The positive counterpart of this precept is generosity.

3. Avoiding sexual misconduct. Over the centuries different Buddhist schools have interpreted this precept in many ways, but essentially it means not causing harm to oneself or others in the area of sexual activity. It includes avoiding breaking commitments in the area of sexual relations, and avoiding encouraging others to do the same. The positive counterpart of this precept is contentment.

4. Avoiding false speech. Speech is the crucial element in our relations with others, and yet language is a slippery medium, and we often deceive ourselves or others without even realising that this is what we are doing. Truthfulness, the positive counterpart of this precept, is therefore essential in an ethical life. But truthfulness is not enough, and in another list of precepts (the ten precepts or the ten kusala dharmas) no fewer than four speech precepts are mentioned, the others enjoining that our speech should be kindly, helpful, and harmonious.

5. Abstaining from drink and drugs that cloud the mind. The positive counterpart of this precept is mindfulness, or awareness. Mindfulness is a fundamental quality to be developed the Buddha’s path, and experience shows that taking intoxicating drink or drugs tends to run directly counter to this.

The Buddhist Center: https://thebuddhistcentre.com/text/ethics

Swami Santsevi Ji Maharaj on Dharma, in Harmony Of All Religions

What is religion (dharma)? The Sanskrit word, dharma, is generally defined as “righteousness” or “duty.” Thus, in its broadest sense dharma means performing one’s sacred duty and following the traditional ethical codes of the community in which one lives. “Dharma is the sustainer of the social life.”

It is also defined as the way to the Higher Truth. Far from being unnatural or contrived, dharma is a natural quality or trait of an individual, an inseparable part of the psyche. Dharma is also that deed or duty the result of which is described as the attainment of heaven. Noble deeds, good behavior, and benevolent actions are all dharmic in nature. Dharma is inner nature, an inherent good tendency, and a daily prescribed moral and social duty.

Dharma as Virtue

The Laws of Manu describe the eightfold attributes of dharma: patience, forgiveness, self-control, non-stealing, purity, control of the senses, wisdom, knowledge, truth, and tranquility. Over the course of time, Jain dharma has also delineated the list of characteristics as follows: right forgiveness, right restraint, right purity, right truth, right self-control, right mortification, right renunciation, right humility, and right celibacy.

For the purpose of making dharma accessible to all people, Sage Manu has simplified and condensed the ten attributes of dharma into five ethical laws: non-violence, truth, non-stealing, purity of body and mind, and control of the senses. These same moral laws are found in all the major religions, East and West.

From the chapter, Introduction — Point of Departure

The Ethical Foundation of Sant Mat — Ahimsa Values — The Five Precepts (Combined Vegan and Vegetarian Versions)

Moral Requirements to Qualify For Initiation:

1. Abstinence from alcohol and drugs (intoxicants);

2. Ahimsa (Non-Violence in thought, word, and deed) including in the area of diet, as in following a vegan (abstinence from animal products) or vegetarian diet (abstinence from meat, fish, and eggs) — “In Sant Mat all Masters have decried killing and meat-eating.” (Sant Tulsi Sahib, “Ghat Ramayan”);

3. Leading a truthful life;

4. Practicing non-stealing: an honest, ethical source of income;

5. Loyalty to ones spouse;

Another Version of the Five Precepts:

1. Refrain from taking the life of sentient beings. This precept also requires strict adherence to a vegan (no animal products) or lacto-vegetarian diet (no meat, fish, poultry nor eggs, fertilized or non-fertilized).

2. Refrain from speaking what is not true.

3. Refrain from taking what is not yours.

4. Refrain from sexual misconduct.

5. Refrain from using intoxicants.