The Vipassana Retreat

The Precepts - 5 & 8

The Five Training Precepts (Panca Sila)

The Precepts are the foundation of all Buddhist training. The underlying principle is non-exploitation of yourself or others.

Free choice and intention is important. It is "I undertake" not “Thou Shalt" - a personal choice, not an external command.

With a developed ethical base, much of the emotional conflict and stress that we experience is resolved, allowing commitment and more conscious choice.

The Five Precepts or training rules are to be agree to during the retreat:

I undertake the training precept to:
1. refrain from intentionally harming or taking life
Panatipa – veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami

2. refrain from taking things which are not given to me
Adinnadana – veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami

3. refrain from sexual misconduct (i.e. no sexual contact during the retreat)
Kamesu – micchacara - veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami

4. refrain from false speech
Musavada – veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami

5. refrain from intoxicants that confuse the mind. (i.e. drugs & alcohol)
Surameraya – majjapamadatthana - veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami

While they act as restraints, the Five Precepts are also intended to harmonise one’s behaviour so they can be expressed as positive qualities:

To the best of my ability I will endeavour:

1. to act with compassion and loving-kindness towards all sentient beings.
2. to be open-hearted and generous.
3. to practice stillness, simplicity, contentment, and self-restraint.
4. to speak with truth, clarity and peace.
5. to live with mindfulness.

ATTHAGA SILA (The Eight Precepts)

1) PÀNÀTIPÀTÀ - VERAMANI SIKKHAPADAM SAMADIYAMI
I undertake to abstain from harming or taking life.

2) ADINNÀDÀNÀ - VERAMANI SIKKHAPADAM SAMADIYAMI
I undertake to abstain from taking what is not given.

3) ABRAHMACARIYÀ - VERAMANI SIKKHAPADAM SAMADIYAMI
I undertake to abstain from any from sexual contact.

4) MUSÀVÀDÀ - VERAMANI SIKKHAPADAM SAMADIYAMI
I undertake to abstain from false speech.

5) SURA - MERAYA – MAJJA - PAMÀDATTHANA - VERAMANI SIKKHAPADAM SAMADIYAMI
I undertake to abstain from the use of intoxicants, i.e. drugs and alcohol.

6) VIKÀLA - BHOJANÀ - VERAMANI SIKKHAPADAM SAMADIYAMI
I undertake to abstain from eating after the mid-day meal.

7) NACCA - GITA - VÀDITA - VISUKADASSANÀ - MÀLAGANDHA - VILEPANA - DHÀRANA - MANDANA - VIBHUSANATTHÀNÀ - VERAMANI SIKKHAPADAM SAMADIYAMI
I undertake to abstain from dancing, singing, music and watching entertainments, and from using enticing beauty aids, i.e. perfume, etc.

8) UCCASAYANA – MAHASAYANA - VERAMANI SIKKHAPADAM SAMADIYAMI
I undertake to abstain from indulging in high and luxurious seats and beds.