Significance of Precept
Synonyms: Principle, Rule, Doctrine, Commandment, Guideline, Directive, Instruction, Order, Tenet
In Dutch: Voorschrift; In Finnish: Ohje; In Spanish: Precepto; In German: Gebot; In French: Précepte; In Polish: Przykazanie; In Portugese: Preceito; In Italian: Precetto
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Precept'
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) are referred to as shila, were broken by Ananda when he showed the women the mark of cryptorchidy, despite his intentions.[1] (2) The passage explains that the bodhisattva observes the "precepts" energetically, whether they are great or lesser, keeping them all without transgressing or violating them.[2] (3) Precepts, also referred to as shila, were adopted by some brahmins after the king's conversion, indicating a shift in their religious practice.[3] (4) The precepts refer to the five specific rules that an upasaka commits to following, which are not killing, not stealing, not engaging in illicit sexual relations, not lying, and not drinking wine.[4] (5) Rules or guidelines that govern the ethical conduct of monastics; breaking them is a significant issue discussed in the text.[5]
From: Shurangama Sutra (with commentary) (English)
(1) The provided content refers to receiving the precepts at a precept-platform, noting that when the Buddha was in the world, one became possessed of the precept substance.[6] (2) These are the rules and guidelines that cultivators must follow, and these precepts are defined as stopping evil and counteracting wrongdoing through restraint and maintenance.[7] (3) These are the principles that, when followed by everyone, benefit the entire world, according to the Sutra and Commentary on the Conduct of Benefiting.[8] (4) These are designed to collect thoughts, put a stop to evil, and prevent further transgressions; they are also related to samadhi.[9] (5) Guidelines in Buddhism that define moral conduct and ethical behavior an adherent should follow.[10]
From: Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra
(1) Precepts, the bhiksu who upholds these should not think that the Tathagata is a created existence, as saying so is a false statement leading to hell.[11] (2) Moral guidelines that the Bodhisattva observes, essential for maintaining purity in actions and thoughts.[12] (3) Moral codes or commandments that the Bodhisattva-mahasattva vows to uphold.[13] (4) Moral codes and regulations that guide Buddhist practice, helping practitioners cultivate virtue.[14] (5) Moral and ethical rules that govern the conduct of Buddhist practitioners.[15]
From: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Purvapranidhana Sutra
(1) Moral guidelines in Buddhism meant to govern behavior and prevent harmful actions, forming the fundamental basis for ethical conduct.[16]
From: Bodhisattvacharyavatara
(1) These are nothing other than the mental resolve to safeguard one's body, speech and mind from non-virtuous actions, a crucial element in practice.[17]
From: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (Sutra of the Great Vow)
(1) These, along with meditation, help realize equality, emphasizing the importance of ethical conduct in spiritual development.[18]
From: Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra
(1) Rules of conduct that Vimalakirti upheld, using them to guide and correct those who deviated from them.[19]
From: Maha Buddhavamsa—The Great Chronicle of Buddhas
(1) Precept is a moral rule or principle, and the observance of precepts for bhikkhus was key to attaining arahatship.[20] (2) Within the context of morality, the block of text implies that observing precepts only on certain occasions and not others makes the Perfection of Morality impure.[21] (3) Precepts are guidelines to be followed, such as the Five Precepts for laymen or the Eight Precepts, and they can be observed with varying degrees of dedication and intention.[22] (4) The precepts are the moral guidelines, such as those observed by King Bhuridatta and Campeyya, which were the focus of their resolutions, showing their commitment to ethical conduct.[23] (5) Moral guidelines that individuals observe to ensure their actions are aligned with good practices and ethical behavior.[24]
From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6
(1) These are the moral guidelines the Bodhisatta lay meditating on, during his period of religious observance, as stated in the provided text.[25] (2) Moral guidelines or rules of conduct that followers of the Buddha adhere to.[26] (3) The moral guidelines that the king vows to uphold after recognizing the negative effects of drinking strong drink.[27]
From: Vinaya (3): The Cullavagga
(1) The ethical guidelines and rules that Bhikkhus and practitioners are expected to follow.[28] (2) Guidelines established for the Bhikkhus, some were discussed regarding their potential revocation after the Buddha's passing.[29] (3) The ethical guidelines that Bhikkhus are expected to follow, which if abandoned or violated can affect their standing.[30]
From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)
(1) This refers to a set of moral guidelines, as mentioned in the text.[31] (2) Morality codes within Buddhism emphasized by the Buddha when preaching to Kutadanta, fostering ethical living.[32]
From: Vinaya (2): The Mahavagga
(1) If the individual charged with the parisuddhi abandons the precepts, it affects the declaration and requires the process to be repeated, according to the text.[33] (2) Fundamental ethical principles that govern the behavior of Bhikkhus, Bhikkhunis, samaneras, and samaneris.[34]
From: A Manual of Abhidhamma
(1) Known as sikkha-pada, these are ethical guidelines that govern a practitioner's conduct.[35]
From: Abhidhamma in Daily Life (by Ashin Janakabhivamsa)
(1) Moral guidelines that Devas find challenging to adhere to while in the pleasure-laden Deva loka.[36]
From: Cetasikas
(1) Rules of ethical conduct that guide the behavior of practitioners to maintain moral integrity.[37]
From: Dhammapada (translated from the Pali)
(1) Guidelines or rules of conduct that are essential to living a virtuous life according to Buddhist teachings.[38]
From: Milindapanha (questions of King Milinda)
(1) The precepts are something that a Samana takes upon himself, and they are one of the twenty personal qualities that make up the Samanaship of a Samana.[39]
From: Catusacca Dipani
(1) These are rules or guidelines that one observes with great self-control, often in conjunction with alms-giving, to ensure future well-being.[40]
From: Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po)
(1) Precepts are rules or guidelines for ethical conduct, and yang dben pa earnestly studied texts and precepts together with initiations during his return journey.[41] (2) The text refers to hidden precepts of the bka’ bzhi that should not be imparted to those unable to become masters of the Doctrine, according to the passage.[42] (3) Along with instructions, it is one of the subjects thoroughly studied by yon tan gzungs within the Tantras.[43] (4) These were obtained from the Nirmanakaya (rkyang chen sprul sku) and from many teachers, according to the text.[44] (5) Specific instructions or teachings imparted by Dam pa to various individuals, covering topics such as Tantric sexual practices, Frank instructions, and the Kalacakra, among others, forming part of different lineages.[45]
From: Hualin International Journal of Buddhist Studies
(1) These are rules or principles of conduct, particularly within Buddhism, that Yixing studied calendrical science to better understand, and are closely related to the calculation of time.[46] (2) Precepts are the subject of Annen's views, and he emphasizes those passages of the scripture that dealt with buddha-nature, an approach that he also similarly applied to the Lotus Sutra and the Adornment Sutra.[47] (3) These are the rules and guidelines for Buddhist practice, and upholding them was considered a crucial way to protect the Dharma from internal decay, as it ensured the maintenance of discipline and the preservation of the teachings.[48] (4) The rules and guidelines followed by Buddhists, with the text discussing the practice and spread of Chinese Buddhist precepts, and the significance of Faxian's search, translation and propagation of Buddhist precepts during his lifetime.[49]
From: Apadana commentary (Atthakatha)
(1) Moral guidelines and rules of conduct that practitioners of Buddhism observe in their daily lives.[50]
Hindu concept of 'Precept'
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankara Bhashya)
(1) A principle or rule that directs actions and thoughts, related to the teachings about the soul's nature and experiences in life.[51]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankaracharya)
(1) This is one of the reasons used to assert that the same soul returns from Brahman, which is also used as a way to explain the nature of the soul.[52]
The concept of Precept in local and regional sources
From: Bhaktavijaya: Stories of Indian Saints
(1) Guiding principles or moral instructions that saints followed in their lives.[53]
From: Village Folk-tales of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), vol. 1-3
(1) Moral guidelines that were being followed by the Rat and the Turtle. The Deer, Crow, and Jackal later joined them in following these guidelines.[54]
The concept of Precept in scientific sources
Precepts are rules or guidelines that monks and nuns should theoretically follow completely, according to regional sources.
From: Religions Journal (MDPI)
(1) The precepts are not obligatory for Buddhists, but individuals may choose to accept them, and at Thrangu Monastery Canada, one may formally commit to the precepts through a ritual.[55] (2) Religious norms that allow the Buddhist community to exist in an idealized form and are essential to maintaining and strengthening Buddhist orthodoxy.[56] (3) Rules or guidelines that monks and nuns are theoretically required to follow completely.[57]
Classical concept of 'Precept'
From: Aesop's Fables (English translation)
(1) "Precept" refers to a rule or instruction, which the story contrasts with the power of demonstrating correct behavior through example, showing the ineffectiveness of giving rules without acting accordingly.[58]