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First precept (Tibetan Buddhist)....Please help, I’m so confused x
minimayhen88
Veteran
Dearest all who may spare the time to answer,
I am desperately trying to understand the first precept, which I wish to take as a vow (Tibetan Buddhist Tradition). I happily assumed that the first precept of ‘Do No Harm’ – meant to avoid all harmful behaviours of ‘thought, speech and action.’
However, after doing research into the Tibetan Buddhist tradition I became very confused
. Most sources on the (Fist lay precept: Upasaka / Genyen / Lay Pratimoksha) state the first precept as ‘Not To Kill. ’
So basically I am asking if the first precept includes abstaining from harmful thoughts, words and actions? Or does it simply mean not to kill? I hope it covers actions of thought, word and deed...as that would seem far more complete to me.
I would value any comments so highly,
Kindly,
A young Buddhist.
I am desperately trying to understand the first precept, which I wish to take as a vow (Tibetan Buddhist Tradition). I happily assumed that the first precept of ‘Do No Harm’ – meant to avoid all harmful behaviours of ‘thought, speech and action.’
However, after doing research into the Tibetan Buddhist tradition I became very confused
. Most sources on the (Fist lay precept: Upasaka / Genyen / Lay Pratimoksha) state the first precept as ‘Not To Kill. ’ So basically I am asking if the first precept includes abstaining from harmful thoughts, words and actions? Or does it simply mean not to kill? I hope it covers actions of thought, word and deed...as that would seem far more complete to me.
I would value any comments so highly,
Kindly,
A young Buddhist.
0
Comments
Kindly
What is the point of the 5 precepts?
It is recommended by Buddha as the most basic thing
one can do to live a harmless life.
First of all I think it is good that you are deciding to take the precepts!
Yes, in general, the first precept is "no killing." But the teacher is right as well in saying that we should do our best to avoid harming others with our body, speech and our mind.
Hopefully you will be fortunate enough to receive a teaching about this too!
I have received a few very good teachings about the precepts and here is another point of view in general, and on the first precept in specific. Most vows, we will more than likely break at some point (think of how many tiny, tiny bits of life you may drink in a glass of water, or even how many very small bugs we may step on without knowing they are even there, let alone our indirect actions...). but the key is to cultivate a change in habits, for example- when we may have normally "swatted" that mosquito without even giving it a second thought, now we may be more conscious of these actions. We are trying to transform our minds in a sense. every little bit helps.
It is also not too helpful to try and think that by doing good deeds and actions, we can somehow counterbalance and purify all of our negative karma and offenses, because that is just not possible. As long as we have dualistic mind, we are creating more karma, which for most of us is all the time!
I have heard a few teachers say that if we could truly follow all the precepts and vows that we take, we would not need to take them in the first place!
So having said that, there is still great benefit to taking vows and precepts, in that it not only helps us to generate more discipline and direction, but it helps us to accumulate much more merit, or positive force that is greatly needed as we move along in our practice. So I think it is good to take the vows and follow them as well as we can.
Kindly x