May tibetan lay followers take additional vows?

minimayhen88

Dearest all,

May tibetan lay followers take additional vows, alongside the five conventional (upasaka / genyen) precepts.

All responses are highly valued and will be of great help with my present research,

kindly,

Claudie

person

Yes, there are also three additional precepts one can take. People usually take these for one day at a time or during retreat as they tend towards a more ascetic life and can be hard for a lay practitioner living in the world.

The Eight Precepts are the precepts for Buddhist lay men and women who wish to practice a bit more strictly than the usual five precepts for Buddhists. The eight precepts focus both on avoiding morally bad behaviour, as do the five precepts, and on leading a more ascetic lifestyle.

In Theravada Buddhist countries such as Sri Lanka and Thailand, Buddhist laymen and laywomen will often[citation needed] spend one day a week (on the Uposatha days: the new moon, first-quarter moon, full moon and last-quarter moon days) living in the monastery, and practicing the eight precepts.

The Buddha gave teachings on how the eight precepts are to be practiced,[20] and on the right and wrong ways of practicing the eight precepts.[21]
1.I undertake to abstain from causing harm and taking life (both human and non-human).
2.I undertake to abstain from taking what is not given (for example stealing, displacements that may cause misunderstandings).
3.I undertake to abstain from sexual activity.
4.I undertake to abstain from wrong speech: telling lies, deceiving others, manipulating others, using hurtful words.
5.I undertake to abstain from using intoxicating drinks and drugs, which lead to carelessness.
6.I undertake to abstain from eating at the wrong time (the right time is after sunrise, before noon).
7.I undertake to abstain from singing, dancing, playing music, attending entertainment performances, wearing perfume, and using cosmetics and garlands (decorative accessories).
8.I undertake to abstain from luxurious places for sitting or sleeping, and overindulging in sleep.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Precepts

person

I forgot to point out that the 3rd precept also changes from sexual misconduct to sexual activity, not a small difference.