As we all know, although there are many precepts in Buddhism, the "five precepts" are the most fundamental precepts and the basis of all precepts.
Further, the reason why Buddhism requires practitioners to obey these precepts is to cultivate inner purity—the primary goal of the precepts is to cultivate the inner purity of the practitioner. By following the precepts, practitioners can reduce negative actions and thoughts, clear their hearts of troubles and delusions, and achieve inner peace and purity. The precepts help practitioners to develop the inner qualities of kindness, integrity, compassion, and wisdom.
Let's continue to introduce the five precepts of Buddhism.
The first is not to kill. It means not killing other sentient beings. Buddhism encourages respect and protection for all living beings, not just humans, including animals and other living beings. This is because Buddhism believes that all living beings have equal dignity and existential value.
The second is not to steal the ring. It means not stealing other people's property. This precept teaches people to treat material possessions with integrity and honesty, to refrain from taking other people's possessions through improper means, and to maintain a clean and good heart.
The third is to refrain from sexual immorality. It refers to avoiding the destruction of other people's marriage and sexual morality, and maintaining abstinence and purity. Buddhism encourages practitioners to maintain chastity and avoid indulging in desires and carnal desires in order to achieve inner liberation.
Fourth, do not lie and prescribe. It means not lying, spreading rumors, slandering, or speaking foul language. This precept teaches people to maintain authenticity and integrity in their oral and verbal behavior, to avoid the negative effects of language, and to cultivate honesty and good eloquence.
Fifth, do not drink alcohol. Abstaining from alcohol or other drugs that can cause restlessness. Buddhism encourages practitioners to maintain a clear and lucid state of consciousness and avoid being deluded by alcohol or drugs, so that they can achieve peace of mind and growth in wisdom.
Of course, since Buddhism was introduced to Middle-earth, many people believe that these five precepts correspond to the five permanent ways of Confucianism, namely benevolence, righteousness, courtesy, wisdom, and faith.
In fact, however, the purpose of the Buddhist "Five Precepts" is to promote the purity of the mind, reduce the number of afflictions, and cultivate important norms of good deeds. Observing these precepts helps to cultivate compassion, wisdom, and moral cultivation to promote personal inner growth and social peace and harmony.
At the same time, these precepts are also considered to be the basis for the accumulation of good deeds and good karma, which will help to increase good fortune and develop the path to liberation, so they should not be confused with the Confucian Five Constants.