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For every party there's a party pooper.

Perhaps even folks who have taken and have tried to live by the 16 precepts for the last 49 years, think that it's the actualization of such vows, and not a perfect description of them, that's important.
Whether directed externally or internally, only in this one fleeting moment, can you become a manifestation of those vows or not. With the next nanosecond, another chance to renew such precepts is offered endlessly again....& again.

There may well be as many different motivations to follow one's vows or precepts or commandments as there are people.
Divide off those motivations and categorize them according to your chosen values if you must
but remember that even with such vows whenever they are clung to, rejected or deliberately ignored, they inevitably bring to fruition, the seeds of our own suffering.

Are precepts commandments?
Is Buddhism Christianity?

In my view the difference between precepts and commandments follows from the differences in how we view the religion/philosophy: In Christianity, there is a god (or maybe three), and he is authoritarian and issues commandments. Buddha specifically said he isn't a god, he is awake.

Do all Christians follow all the commandments (can they even name them all without looking them up)? Do all Buddhists follow all the precepts? So, as a practical matter, is there actually a difference between the two?

Hey vinlyn!

To me it seems pretty clear that they are meant as trainings to help us develop spiritually. If the purpose of the teachings is enlightenment then to that end its important for us to learn and grow. Following rules doesn't really get us there.

In terms of karma and multiple lives. Strictly following them would help ensure better future karma. But again, in terms of spiritual development, we need to gain wisdom and understanding so its important to understand the way cause and effect works regarding our actions around the precepts rather than following rules. Which isn't developing wisdom.

Hi Vinlyn!

For me all the precepts make kind of sense, like "why wouldn't you follow them?" though the fifth precept was always a bit of a conflictive one. Ah Mary Jane...my love...sweet thick smoke... ehm... yes, back to the precepts being commandments or not.

I would define them as "great suggestions", in line with what you said as "guidance", not biblical commandments. In another thread I posted here I shared Ajahn Jayasaro's view on the 5 Precepts. In a nutshell: they help us to avoid the negative effects of bad kamma which is detrimental to our spiritual growth.

Welcome back @vinlyn
I'm in the guidance camp with a big dollop of Ehipassiko (seeing for myself]) thrown in for good measure...

Commandment = Something that must be obeyed ( like for example an order from a god )

Guidance =Advice or information aimed at resolving a problem or difficulty, especially as given by someone in authority. ( like for example the Buddha)

Ehipassiko = Here's the DIY guide...knock yourself out...

I think the difference is that following the precepts does not please a deity rather it is supposed to help the other areas of Buddhist practice. Wisdom, mindfulness, tranquility, meditation, equanimity and so forth become less obstructed as one stops harming themselves and others.