The Five Precepts  constitute the basic Buddhist code of ethics, undertaken by lay followers of the Buddha Gautama in the Theravada and Mahayana traditions. The Five Precepts are commitments to abstain from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying and intoxication. Undertaking the five precepts is part of both lay Buddhist initiation and regular lay Buddhist devotional practices.

The Buddha is said to have taught the five precepts out of compassion, and for the betterment of society. Thus they are to be undertaken voluntarily rather than as commandments from a god. The precepts are intended to help a Buddhist live free from remorse, so that they can progress more easily on the Path.

My random thoughts:

Buddha taught the five precepts out of compassion and for the betterment of society and his people at that time; not out of compliance to the Law of Nature.

I am a staunch believer of Buddha’s teaching; I would attempt to ride on his tall shoulder to continue his journey to further interpret his teaching in today’s context.

As the law of nature, where Taoist, way back in 5000 years ago, observed that every living things on earth, there is a controlling and a nurturing functions to sustain life in the entire Universe. Hence the Yin & Yang Philosophy was derived.

The concept of yin and yang describes two opposing and, at the same time, complementary (completing) aspects of any one phenomenon (object or process) or comparison of any two phenomena. They are universal standards of quality at the basis of the systems of correspondence seen in most branches of classical Chinese science and philosophy, traditional Chinese medicine being an example.

Yin & Yang is also about Moderation, and this is what I would used here to interpret the teaching:

Killing

If killing is for food, to stop hunger and to sustain life, not for leisure or greed, I guess it is granted by the law of nature as an acceptable action. We are not meant for eating just the vegetable, but eating more vegetable with suitable amount of meats would be a balance and a healthy diet for mankind. Hence we can’t eat meat without killing.

Stealing

Usually stealing is out of greed; but some of you may said, Robin Hood steal out of humanity. Hence I would generally support stealing is a No-no, and exception must be genuine and not against the law of nature, or cause harm and suffering to others.

Sexual Misconduct

Reproduction is one of the main purposes of all the living things on earth. Hence we can’t reproduce without having sex.

So what is sexual misconduct? If we reference to the law of nature, sexual misconduct could well imply to sexual conduct in excess, sexual abuse, or sexual activities that cause pain, harm and suffering to either or both the sexual partners.

I would advocate that the acceptable sexual conducts, in the law of moderation, are the conduct of the sexual activities that will not give rise to irresponsible acts, guilt, pain or suffering to either or both sexual partners. I would also advocate that Lesbianism or Gayism is not a natural sexual conduct as this will not lead to reproduction purpose of all living things, hence violating the law of Nature.

In view of this, even the sexual activities within a married couple could be considered as sexual misconduct, if it causes guilt, harm or suffering to the partners. In the contrary, sexual activities outside the marriage can sometime be considered as proper conduct, if it is done to heal wounds of harm and suffering, and does not cause any post sexual guilt. You may argue that that is a lame excuse, but if anyone does feel otherwise, I can only said, adultery is a man-made issue, and not the Nature.

Morality is the law within a community, and is man-made, whereas the law of Nature is within all the living things in the Universe, and it is made by Nature, the super mighty power of all creation, once violated, everything else will be destroyed.

Lying

I am agreeing with lying should be abstained, but lying does not amount to not telling or disclosing everything. I always advocating that if I don’t have anything better to say, don’t say; unless it is meant for constructive comments or feedback for improvement purposes.

Imagine if everyone follows this precept in the wrong context, we may unknowingly create many frictions or even wars. Imagine if everyone going around to describe to you how ugly you are etc. J

Intoxication

 

In today’s context, we have Alcohol intoxication, Caffeine intoxication, Cannabis intoxication, Heroin intoxication and water intoxication. Many of these drugs are created for medical usage, but once it is being abused or immoderate, it becomes intoxicated. Even the harmless coffee and water, if it is being over-dosed, can be intoxicated. Hence use it with good intention and with right moderation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, anything that is man-made has validity; it needs to be constantly reviewed in context to make sure it is still relevant, if not, it will cause the negative effect of causing pain and suffering to the mankind. Whereas if it is made by the wishful Nature, it has no expiry date, unless the balance state of Nature has been altered by the mankind.