Upāsaka
Videos
Upāsaka or Upāsikā are from the Sanskrit and Pāli words for "attendant". This is the title of followers of Buddhism who are not monks, nuns, or novice monastics in a Buddhist order, and who undertake
The word Upāsaka (Brahmi script), used by Ashoka in his Minor Rock Edict No.1 to describe his affiliation to Buddhism (circa 258 BCE).
Upasakas praying in Yangon, Myanmar.
Five precepts
Videos
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
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.