What are the 8 precepts of Buddhism?
In Buddhism, the eight precepts ( Sanskrit: aṣṭāṇga-śīla or aṣṭā-sīla, Pali: aṭṭhaṅga-sīla or aṭṭha-sīla) is a list of precepts that are observed by lay devotees on observance days and festivals. They include general precepts such as refraining from killing, but also more specific ones, such as abstaining from cosmetics.
Why are precepts important in Buddhism?
As shown in Early Buddhist Texts, the precepts grew to be more important, and finally became a condition for membership of the Buddhist religion. When Buddhism spread to different places and people, the role of the precepts began to vary.
How many precepts are there?
Depending on which list you consult, you might hear there are three, five, ten, or sixteen Precepts. Monastic orders have longer lists. The most basic list of Precepts is called in Pali the pañcasila, or "five precepts."
What is the first precept of Buddhism?
The first precept is to abstain from killing. Maybe you think this is easy, you weren’t planning on killing anyone after all. However, it rhis precept not only incorporates people but all living things. This includes all beings from the Buddhist lower worlds, such as animals, insects and the like.
What are the 10 precepts of Buddhism?
The Ten Grave PreceptsRespect life – Do not kill.Be giving – Do not steal.Honor the body – Do not misuse sexuality.Manifest truth – Do not lie.Proceed clearly – Do not cloud the mind.See the perfection – Do not speak of others' errors and faults.Realize self and others as one – Do not elevate the self and blame others.More items...
What are the precepts in Buddhism?
The precepts are commitments to abstain from killing living beings, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying and intoxication. Within the Buddhist doctrine, they are meant to develop mind and character to make progress on the path to enlightenment.
What are the 16 Buddhist precepts?
The 16 precepts are as follows: 1) take refuge in Buddha, 2) take refuge in dharma, 3) take refuge in sangha, 4) cease from harm, 5) do only good, 6) do good for others, 7) refrain from taking life, 8) take only what is given, 9) do not misuse sexuality, 10) practice truthful communication, 11) refrain from ...
What are the 5 extra precepts of Buddhism?
5 Precepts for laypeople: Abstain from taking life. Abstain from taking what is not given. Abstain from sexual misconduct. Abstain from false speech. ... 8 Precepts: Abstain from killing (directly or indirectly) Abstain from stealing. Abstain from sexual activity. ... 16 Precepts: I. The Three Pure Precepts. Keep all precepts.
What are the 5 rules of Buddhism called?
The Five Precepts are the Buddhist version of a code of conduct or rules to help people behave in a moral and ethical way. Buddhists should follow the Five Precepts to ensure they are living a morally good life. This helps them to get rid of suffering and achieve enlightenment .
Can I be a Buddhist and drink alcohol?
Despite the great variety of Buddhist traditions in different countries, Buddhism has generally not allowed alcohol intake since earliest times. The production and consumption of alcohol was known in the regions in which Buddhism arose long before the time of the Buddha.
What are the 3 main beliefs of Buddhism?
Buddhism is one of the world's largest religions and originated 2,500 years ago in India. Buddhists believe that the human life is one of suffering, and that meditation, spiritual and physical labor, and good behavior are the ways to achieve enlightenment, or nirvana.
What is the 1st of the Four Noble Truths?
The Four Noble Truths They are the truth of suffering, the truth of the cause of suffering, the truth of the end of suffering, and the truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering.
Who follows the 10 precepts?
The Ten Precepts These training rules are observed by novice monks and nuns. They are derived from the Eight Precepts by splitting the precept concerning entertainments into two parts and by adding one rule prohibiting the handling of money.
Can Buddhist drink milk?
Many Buddhists interpret this to mean that you should not consume animals, as doing so would require killing. Buddhists with this interpretation usually follow a lacto-vegetarian diet. This means they consume dairy products but exclude eggs, poultry, fish, and meat from their diet.
Can Buddhists have tattoos?
There are no rules or laws in Buddhism against having tattoos. Many people do believe that it's the heart's intentions that matter the most when looking to get a tattoo as a Buddhist.
Why do monks not sleep on beds?
The precepts are commitments to abstain from killing living beings, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and intoxication. With the ninth precept, Buddhists refrain from lying in a high or luxurious sleeping place. Monks take that a step further and aim to sleep upright to reduce the need for sleep.
What are the 8 rule of Buddhism?
The steps of the Noble Eightfold Path are Right Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration.
What are the 3 main Buddhist beliefs?
Buddhism is one of the world's largest religions and originated 2,500 years ago in India. Buddhists believe that the human life is one of suffering, and that meditation, spiritual and physical labor, and good behavior are the ways to achieve enlightenment, or nirvana.
What is the 3 universal truths?
The Three Universal Truths: 1. Everything is impermanent and changing 2. Impermanence leads to suffering, making life imperfect 3. The self is not personal and unchanging.
What are some examples of precepts?
Mr. Browne's Precepts“When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind.” —Dr. ... “Your deeds are your monuments.”—Inscription on an Egyptian tomb. ... “Have no friends not equal to yourself.“ —Confucious. ... "Fortune favors the bold." — ... "No man is an island, entire of itself." —More items...
What are the five precepts of Buddhism?
Buddhism and Morality: the Five Precepts. Buddhism is about liberating the mind. To accomplish this, the Buddha taught his path of morality (sīla), concentration (samādhi) and wisdom (paññā). These three trainings support and strengthen each other.
What are the two pillars of Buddhism?
So important are these two pillars that the whole teaching of the Buddha in the Dhammapada (verse 183) is summed up as: Abandoning what is evil, developing what is good, purifying the mind – that is the teaching of the Buddhas. Abdonding what is evil and developing what is good refer to the development of sīla.
What is the moral behavior of Buddhism?
But what is moral behavior in Buddhism? As a practical guide for lay people, the Buddha gave five moral precepts ( pañca-sīla, also translatable as five virtues). Just as in the entire Buddhist path, when it comes to the precepts the Buddha emphasises the underlying intention. This does not mean that you can invoke ignorance or inattention to justify misconduct. You cannot say that you knew well or did not know better and that it was moral. Much more it means that your consciousness is the forerunner of your actions and that the consequences of your actions follow, as the Dhammapada (verse 1) nicely states:
What is the Buddha's teaching about morality?
For anyone who wants to take steps on the path that the Buddha taught, it is essential to give the training in morality a prominent place in one’s own practice. A life grounded in morality is a life free from restlessness and remorse as a result of regret. For those who are free of restlessnes and remorse, samādhi is a lot closer.
How to support Buddhism?
There are two ways to support Buddhism. One is known as āmisapūjā, supporting through material offerings. These are the four requisites of food, clothing, shelter and medicine. This is to support Buddhism by giving material offerings to the Sangha of monks and nuns, enabling them to live in reasonable comfort for the practice of Dhamma. This fosters the ]
Was Buddha vegetarian?
In any case, the Buddha himself was not a vegetarian and neither were the monks at the time . The third and most subtle form is keeping to the precept with your mind. That is, not having thoughts that go in the direction of killing creatures, and even more subtle, not harbouring malicious thoughts.
Can you experience the positive effects of the precepts?
We will now consider the different aspects of each of the precepts to try to share some of the beautiful depth. Ultimately, however, you can only experience the positive effects of these precepts by incorporating them into your daily life.
What are the precepts of Buddhism?
They include general precepts such as refraining from killing, but also more specific ones, such as abstaining from cosmetics. Based on pre-Buddhist sāmaṇa practices, the eight precepts are often upheld on the Buddhist observance days ( Sanskrit: upavasatha, poṣadha, pauṣadha, Pali: uposatha, posaha ), and in such context called the uposatha vows or one-day precepts. They are considered to support meditation practice, and are often observed when staying in monasteries and temples. In some periods and places the precepts were widely observed, such as in 7th–10th-century China by government officials. In modern times, there have been revival movements and important political figures that have observed them continuously.
How many precepts do Buddhist nuns observe?
Observance does not need to be temporary, however: some lay devotees choose to undertake the eight precepts continuously to improve themselves in morality. The eight precepts are also undertaken by people preparing for ordination as a monk, sometimes called anagarika in Pāli or pha khao in Thai. Furthermore, many nuns in Buddhist countries, such as the mae chi in Thailand or the dasa sil mata in Sri Lanka, observe the eight or ten precepts all the time as part of their way of life.
What is the meaning of the eight precepts in Thailand?
In Thailand, when the eight precepts are taken, it is believed that if one of them is broken, they are all broken. In the Pāli tradition, the precepts are described in the Dhammika Sutta, part of the Sutta-Nipāta. In many medieval Chinese texts, the order of the last three items is different, with numbers 6 and 8 switched.
How many precepts does Mae Chi practice?
The mae chi in Thailand observe the eight precepts all the time as part of their way of life.
What does the seventh precept mean?
The seventh precept is sometimes also interpreted to mean not wearing colorful clothes, which has led to a tradition for people to wear plain white when observing the eight precepts. This does not necessarily mean, however, that a Buddhist devotee dressed in white is observing the eight precepts all the time. As for the eighth precept, not sitting or sleeping on luxurious seats or beds, this usually comes down to sleeping on a mat on the floor. Though not specified in the precepts themselves, in Thailand and China, people observing the precepts usually stay in the temple overnight. This is to prevent temptations at home to break the eight precepts, and helps foster the community effort in upholding the precepts.
Where did the eight precepts come from?
According to ethicist Damien Keown, the eight precepts were derived from the regulations described in the Brahmajala Sutta, an Early Buddhist Text. Since in this discourse the Buddha describes his own behavior, Keown argues that the eight precepts and several other moral doctrines in Buddhism are derived from the Buddha as a model figure.
What are the rules of abstinence?
To summarise, following anthropologist Barend Jan Terwiel 's translation from Pāli language used in Thai ceremonies: 1 I undertake [to observe] the rule of abstinence from taking life 2 I undertake [to observe] the rule of abstinence from taking what is not given 3 I undertake [to observe] the rule of abstinence from unchastity 4 I undertake [to observe] the rule of abstinence from false speech 5 I undertake [to observe] the rule of abstinence from intoxicants which cause a careless frame of mind 6 I undertake [to observe] the rule of abstinence from taking food at the wrong time 7 I undertake [to observe] the rule of abstinence from dancing, music, visiting shows, flowers, make-up, the wearing of ornaments and decorations 8 I undertake [to observe] the rule of abstinence from a tall, high sleeping place.
How do Buddhist precepts relate to human rights?
Keown describes the relationship between Buddhist precepts and human rights as "look [ing] both ways along the juridical relationship, both to what one is due to do, and to what is due to one". On a similar note, Cambodian human rights advocates have argued that for human rights to be fully implemented in society, the strengthening of individual morality must also be addressed. Buddhist monk and scholar Phra Payutto sees the Human Rights Declaration as an unfolding and detailing of the principles that are found in the five precepts, in which a sense of ownership is given to the individual, to make legitimate claims on one's rights. He believes that human rights should be seen as a part of human development, in which one develops from moral discipline (Pali: sīla ), to concentration (Pali: samādhi) and finally wisdom (Pali: paññā ). He does not believe, however, that human rights are natural rights, but rather human conventions. Buddhism scholar Somparn Promta disagrees with him. He argues that human beings do have natural rights from a Buddhist perspective, and refers to the attūpanāyika-dhamma, a teaching in which the Buddha prescribes a kind of golden rule of comparing oneself with others. ( See §Principles, above.) From this discourse, Promta concludes that the Buddha has laid down the five precepts in order to protect individual rights such as right of life and property: human rights are implicit within the five precepts. Academic Buntham Phunsap argues, however, that though human rights are useful in culturally pluralistic societies, they are in fact not required when society is entirely based on the five precepts. Phunsap therefore does not see human rights as part of Buddhist doctrine.
How many precepts are there in mindfulness?
Some scholars have proposed that the five precepts be introduced as a component in mindfulness training programs.
Why are the precepts taken separately?
In the Theravāda tradition, the precepts are usually taken "each separately" (Pali: visuṃ visuṃ ), to indicate that if one precept should be broken, the other precepts are still intact. In very solemn occasions, or for very pious devotees, the precepts may be taken as a group rather than each separately.
Why are precepts compared to human rights?
The precepts have been compared with human rights because of their universal nature, and some scholars argue they can complement the concept of human rights. The five precepts were common to the religious milieu of 6th-century BCE India, but the Buddha's focus on awareness through the fifth precept was unique.
What are the precepts of enlightenment?
Thus, the precepts are rules or guidelines to develop mind and character to make progress on the path to enlightenment .
What is the Noble Eightfold Path?
The Noble Eightfold Path, of which the five precepts are part. Buddhist scriptures explain the five precepts as the minimal standard of Buddhist morality. It is the most important system of morality in Buddhism, together with the monastic rules.
How are the precepts recited in Thailand?
In the Theravāda tradition, the precepts are recited in a standardized fashion, using Pāli language. In Thailand, a leading lay person will normally request the monk to administer the precepts by reciting the following three times:
What are the 10 Buddhist precepts?
10 Buddhist Precepts. 1. I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living creatures. (I shall not kill any beings) 2. I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given. (I shall not steal) 3. I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual misconduct.
What is the mnemonic listing of precepts?
Shila is the mnemonic listing of precepts, and by extension it is Vinaya, the moral way. Vinaya is the first of the “Three Baskets” or Tripitaka, the Buddhist canon, the others being Sutra and Abhidharma, the teachings and the commentaries.
What are the Ten Grave Precepts?
The Ten Grave Precepts are ten ways to prompt our awareness of the Dharma, the peace and great harmony of life and death that is our universe. They not only prompt our awareness, they are expressions of perfection in the Dharma. Each precept is a paramita.
Where did the three pure precepts come from?
Origin of the Three Pure Precepts. The Three Pure Precepts originated with this verse from the Dhammapada [verse 183, Acharya Buddharakkhita translation ]: To avoid all evil, to cultivate good, and to cleanse one's mind -- this is the teaching of the Buddhas.
Why are the Three Pure Precepts important?
To do good; To save all beings. Although they seem simple, the Three Pure Precepts are profoundly important. It is said they are written so that a three-year-old child can understand them, but a person of eighty years may struggle to practice them.
What is the third pure precept?
The Third Pure Precept: To Save All Beings. Bodhichitta -- the compassionate wish to realize enlightenment for all beings, not just oneself -- is at the heart of Mahayana Buddhism. Through bodhichitta, the desire to attain enlightenment transcends the narrow interests of the individual self.
What is evil in Buddhism?
In Buddhism, it's important not to think of evil as a force that causes wrongdoing or a quality that some people possess. Instead, evil is something we create when our thoughts, words or actions are conditioned by the Three Root Poisons -- greed, anger, ignorance.
Why was the last line revised in Mahayana Buddhism?
In Mahayana Buddhism, the last line was revised to reflect the bodhisattva's vow to bring all beings to enlightenment.
Does Buddhism teach us to not create evil?
But Buddhism teaches us this perspective is a delusion. So, to not create evil, to refrain from action that creates attachment, and to refrain from ignorance are different ways of pointing to the same wisdom. See also " Buddhism and Evil .".
Is attachment a Buddhist belief?
Ignorance also is at the root of attachment. Please note that Buddhism is not opposed to attachments in the sense of close, personal relationships. Attachment in the Buddhist sense requires two things -- the attacher, and the thing to which the attacher is attached. In other words, "attachment" requires self-reference, and it requires seeing the object of attachment as separate from oneself. But Buddhism teaches us this perspective is a delusion.
What are the 10 core precepts of Buddhism?
These ten core precepts include: Abstinence from Murder. Abstinence from Alcoholism. Sexual Misconduct. Abstinence from Stealing. Refrain from evil-minded thoughts. The above five Buddhist precepts are pretty familiar.
What are the 5 ethical rules of Buddhism?
They are the core 5 ethical rules of Buddhism. As a result, one could think of these 5 precepts as the Buddhist “10 commandments”. But, there are other five precepts which include refraining from the following: Eating at stipulated periods (from noon to dawn) Dancing, singing and playing music. Use of garlands, perfumes ...
Who Is A Buddhist Monk?
A Buddhist Monk is a fully ordained male monastic member of a Buddhist community who lives in the tenets of a set of rules called the Pratimoksa.
Why do Buddhists not wear jewelry?
As the case may be, jewelry represents the desire to make things appear different from their original look. With this, Buddhists abstain from wearing jewelry and give themselves that recognizing and accepting look they deserve. Also, it is as an art which is poses as another attachment or distraction.
What is a murderer in Buddhism?
A murderer is someone who directly or indirectly participates in the killing of a human being. On the same note, if a Buddhist monk orders someone to get rid of a human being or other living things, he is not meant to be a member of the community anymore. For example, by encouraging a woman to abort, by giving any advice or contraception and she eventually carries out such a heinous act, such is a sin against the Buddhist precepts.
What did the Buddha encourage his followers to refrain from?
Abstinence from Alcoholism. The Buddha encouraged his followers to refrain from consuming intoxicating drinks and drugs, which lead to carelessness. This includes alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs. These substances are inconsistent with Buddhist beliefs as they distort the mind.
Why do monks have different building positions?
In addition, different building positions for the monks and nuns serve as the best policy to avoid the temptation that may arise due to proximity issues.
What is the second precept of Buddhism?
The second of the five precepts—Buddhist guidelines for an ethical life—is to refrain from taking what is not given, often simplified to not stealing.
What is the third precept?
The Third Precept: Refrain from Sexual Misconduct. The third of the five precepts—Buddhist guidelines for an ethical life—is to refrain from sexual misconduct. Lay Buddhists are not expected to be celibate like most Buddhist monastics, so the third precept is not a total ban on sex.
What does Buddhism say about pornography?
Practitioners often ask what Buddhism has to say about pornography, prostitution, kinky practices, and other sex-related topics. The third precept does not offer a comprehensive answer, but since the precepts are meant to be taken as a whole, sexual misconduct is often defined in relation to other ethical guidelines.
What is the Buddhist practice of right speech?
It is often viewed in the context of the foundational Buddhist practice of Right Speech, a more thorough framework, contained in the eightfold path, for how best to thoughtfully and compassionately speak and listen. False speech includes any untrue statement as well as some factual ones.
What does "abiding by the second precept" mean?
Abiding by the second precept also means not coercing or tricking someone into giving you something they otherwise wouldn’t give. Buddhist teacher Gil Fronsdal writes that this precept “precludes relying on ambiguity, deceit, force, exploitation, or intimidation to acquire what belongs to others.”
What are the factors that contribute to a violation of the second precept?
In the Theravada Buddhist tradition there are five factors that contribute to a violation of the second precept, including intent to steal, the act of theft itself, and the knowledge that the object belongs to someone else. There are also factors that affect the severity of a violation.
Is lying an offense in Buddhism?
Opinions vary about whether a lie in such case would constitute an offense, as do recommendations on the right course of action. Generally, in daily life, Buddhist teachers advise against rationalizing lying as beneficial in intent and encourage practitioners to handle sticky situations without falsehood.
Overview
In Buddhism, the eight precepts (Sanskrit: aṣṭāṇga-śīla or aṣṭā-sīla, Pali: aṭṭhaṅga-sīla or aṭṭha-sīla) is a list of precepts that are observed by lay devotees on observance days and festivals. They include general precepts such as refraining from killing, but also more specific ones, such as abstaining from cosmetics. Based on pre-Buddhist sāmaṇa practices, the eight precepts are often upheld on the Buddhist observance days (Sanskrit: upavasatha, poṣadha, pauṣadha, Pali: uposat…
Description
The first five of the eight precepts are similar to the five precepts, that is, to refrain from killing living beings, stealing, damaging speech, and to abstain from intoxicating drink or drugs, but the third precept is abstinence of all sexual activity instead of refraining from sexual offenses. The final three precepts are to abstain from eating at the wrong time (after midday); to abstain from entertainment such as dancing, singing, music, watching shows, as well as to abstain from weari…
Purpose
In the context of uposatha practice, observing the eight precepts is described by the Buddha in the early texts as "cleansing of the sullied mind through expedient means" (Pali: upakkamena). The Pāli texts describe that one undertakes the eight precepts on the observance days following the example of the enlightened disciples of the Buddha. In the early texts, the Buddha is described as drawin…
Practice
On regular observance days, Buddhist lay devotees often observe the eight precepts. In that context, the eight precepts are also called the uposatha vows (Sanskrit and Pali: upavāsa; Sanskrit: poṣadhaśīla, Pali: uposatha-sīla). When laypeople stay in a Buddhist monastery or go on a meditation retreat, they also observe the eight precepts often; they are also upheld during yearly festivals s…
History
According to ethicist Damien Keown, the eight precepts were derived from the regulations described in the Brahmajala Sutta, an Early Buddhist Text. Since in this discourse the Buddha describes his own behavior, Keown argues that the eight precepts and several other moral doctrines in Buddhism are derived from the Buddha as a model figure.
See also
• Tịnh Xá Trung Tâm
• Four Noble Truths (Buddhism)
• Five Precepts (Taoism)
• The Ten Commandments (Christianity)
Citations
1. ^ Watson 1988, p. 13.
2. ^ "Religions – Buddhism: Theravada Buddhism". BBC. 2 October 2002. Archived from the original on 30 November 2018.
3. ^ Tucci, Giuseppe; Kitagawa, Joseph M. (27 April 2018). "Buddhism - Popular Religious Practices". Encyclopedia Britannica. Archived from the original on 4 December 2018.
External links
• The 8 precepts, by the Dhammadāna.org website, archived from the original on 29 November 2018
• The Eight Precepts, by the Sri Lankan Mahamevnawa Monastery, archived from the original on 4 December 2018
• Ceremony for taking upon oneself the eight precepts, by Dhammatalks.org, archived from the original on 4 December 2018
Overview
The Five precepts (Sanskrit: pañcaśīla; Pali: pañcasīla) or five rules of training (Sanskrit: pañcaśikṣapada; Pali: pañcasikkhapada) 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 precepts are commitments to abstain from killing living beings, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying and intoxication. Within the Buddhist doctrine, they are meant to develop mind and character to …
Role in Buddhist doctrine
Buddhist scriptures explain the five precepts as the minimal standard of Buddhist morality. It is the most important system of morality in Buddhism, together with the monastic rules. Śīla (Sanskrit; Pali: sīla) is used to refer to Buddhist precepts, including the five. But the word also refers to the virtue and morality which lies at the foundation of the spiritual path to enlightenment, which is the first of the three forms of training on the path. Thus, the precepts are rules or guidelines to develop min…
History
The five precepts were part of Early Buddhism and are common to nearly all schools of Buddhism. In Early Buddhism, the five precepts were regarded as an ethic of restraint, to restrain unwholesome tendencies and thereby purify one's being to attain enlightenment. The five precepts were based on the pañcaśīla, prohibitions for pre-Buddhist Brahmanic priests, which were adopted in many Indic religions around 6th century BCE. The first four Buddhist precepts were n…
Ceremonies
In the Theravāda tradition, the precepts are recited in a standardized fashion, using Pāli language. In Thailand, a leading lay person will normally request the monk to administer the precepts by reciting the following three times:
"Venerables, we request the five precepts and the three refuges [i.e. the triple gem] for the sake of observing them, one by one, separately". (Mayaṃ bhante visuṃ visuṃ rakkhaṇatthāya tisaraṇe…
Principles
The five precepts can be found in many places in the Early Buddhist Texts. The precepts are regarded as means to building good character, or as an expression of such character. The Pāli Canon describes them as means to avoid harm to oneself and others. It further describes them as gifts toward oneself and others. Moreover, the texts say that people who uphold them will be confident in any gathering of people, will have wealth and a good reputation, and will die a peac…
Practice in general
Lay followers often undertake these training rules in the same ceremony as they take the refuges. Monks administer the precepts to the laypeople, which creates an additional psychological effect. Buddhist lay people may recite the precepts regularly at home, and before an important ceremony at the temple to prepare the mind for the ceremony.
The five precepts are at the core of Buddhist morality. In field studies in some countries like Sri L…
First precept
The first precept prohibits the taking of life of a sentient being. It is violated when someone intentionally and successfully kills such a sentient being, having understood it to be sentient and using effort in the process. Causing injury goes against the spirit of the precept, but does, technically speaking, not violate it. The first precept includes taking the lives of animals, even small insects. However, it has also been pointed out that the seriousness of taking life depends …
Second precept
The second precept prohibits theft, and involves the intention to steal what one perceives as not belonging to oneself ("what is not given") and acting successfully upon that intention. The severity of the act of theft is judged by the worth of the owner and the worth of that which is stolen. Underhand dealings, fraud, cheating and forgery are also included in this precept. Accompanying virtues are generosity, renunciation, and right livelihood, and a positive behavior is the protection …