Buddhist ethics are traditionally based around the enlightened perspective of the Buddha. In Buddhism, ethics or morality are understood by the term śīla or sīla. Śīla is one of three sections of the
The Buddhist king Ashoka built pillars throughout the Indian subcontinent inscribed with edicts promoting Buddhist moral virtues and precepts.
The bhavacakra (wheel of life) shows the realms of karmic rebirth, at its hub are the three poisons of greed, hatred and delusion.
In the Zen Buddhist initiation ceremony of Jukai, initiates take up the Bodhisattva Precepts.
Giving (Dana) is an important Buddhist virtue. The community of monastics is seen as the most meritorious field of karmic fruitfulness.
The five precepts or five rules of training is the most important system of morality for Buddhist lay people. They constitute the basic code of ethics to be respected by lay followers of Buddhism. The
Buddhist ethics
…self-regulation, primarily motivated by nonviolence or freedom from causing harm. It has been variously described as virtue, moral discipline uprightness and precept, skillful conduct. Sīla is one of the three practices foundational to Buddhism and the non-sectarian Vipassana movement; sīla, samādhi, and paññā. It…
Plaque with the five precepts engraved in English, Lumbini, Nepal
In Thailand, a leading lay person will normally request the monk to administer the precepts.
The format of the ceremony for taking the precepts occurs several times in the Chinese Buddhist Canon. Plaque used at a zen center.
Living a life in violation of the precepts is believed to lead to rebirth in a hell.