Peace through Panchasila’

From the Buddhist point of view, one way of promoting peace is by following the Five Precepts or Panchasila as they are known in Sanskrit. Whether Buddhists or non-Buddhists, whoever that lives according to the five Precepts brings about peace and harmony wherever they go. so, let’s check out as to what Panchasila means......

“I undertake to observe these rules...

1. To abstain from taking a life (killing)
2. To abstain from taking what is not mine or given to me (stealing)
3. To abstain from sensuous misconduct (sexual misconduct)
4. To abstain from false speech (lying)
5. To abstain from intoxicants (drunkenness)

...as leading to calm the mind’.

People generally don’t fear or doubt those who observe and practise the Five Precepts, for they are not murderers, thieves, immoral people, liars or drunkards; they are good-hearted people who try to spread peace, harmony, brotherhood and solidarity.

Liberality(open-mindedness and tolerance) should be practised not only with regard to human beings, but also with regard our dumb and forlorn friends - all animals.

All who are capable of benefiting from the gifts of our humane nature should be made partakers.

Material gifts and alms benefit only a few. But he or she who cultivates virtue blesses all sentient (capable of understanding and feeling) beings. He/she gives to all beings, the gift of fearlessness by his/her pure conduct.

You too can strive to live according to the Five Precepts from now on so that you would grow up to be noble human beings propagating the teachings of the Buddha.

1. Killing

A person generally abstains from killing other beings because one knows how dear life is to oneself and so infers that it must be the same for others. Happiness in this world depends on how one is able to live. Life therefore is valuable.

So, to deprive anyone of that life which is the only means by which they could achieve any good is being cruel and heartless in the extreme. Is it, therefore, a wonder that those who destroy the lives of others bring upon themselves the il-feelings and hatred of others?

But those who refrain from the slaughter of any living being, who are, as it were, protectors of all sentient beings and give all other beings the gift of security, are like mighty trees that shelter and shade people, birds and beasts.

Even though their lives are in grave peril and death, with all its terrors confronting them,they stand firm in their determination to serve, without harm, all other forms that pulsate with sentience.

* Refrain from killing innocent animals for a start, and you’ll automatically learn to value life.

2. Theft

Things which belong to another, things of which another is the master, are never wrongly taken by someone who walks according to the Dhamma.

To take things from others by force, violently, by compulsion or by deceit, is against all standards of decency and good conduct.

Whoever keeps the rule of abstaining from theft gains in inner and outer well-being. He/she lives a happy life, gives happiness to others, and fares well even after death.

* Never, ever take something that does not belong to you without asking permission from the owner. Even if you happen to come across something like a book, a box of pencils or a pen left unattended or fallen in class, school premises or anywhere else, try to return it to the owner.

Just like you won’t like anyone stealing what belong to you, others too won’t like to lose their things.

3. Misconduct

Anyone who refrains from immoral behaviour is at peace and serenity with oneself. Possessed with strength and energy at all times, such people are walking towards the higher paths of life and nobler states of mind by their thoughts, words and deeds of purity.

*Do not let any form of immorality touch your innocent lives.

4.False speech

Truth is the speech of inward purity. Whoever abstains from false speech wins the trust and confidence of many.

Such people are honoured by those who know and associate them.

It is an abstention (refraing from something)pre-eminently practised by the Bodisathvas, the beings who are in search of perfect enlightenment.

It is said that they never utter untruths, in any circumstances.

The speaker of truth is free from fear, strong minded and happy; his/her heart and mind are always crystal clear and pure. But, the liar is discredited at all times. He/she who is shameless enough to speak untruth has no virtue.

* Are anyone of you tempted to lie to your parents, teachers or elders when you do something naughty? Don’t do so. Always learn to tell the truth, no matter what the outcome is.

5. Intoxicants

One abstains from intoxicants in order to keep the mind free from confusion. Alcohol and drugs are destructive to right thinking, that is, thinking based on non-hate, non-violence and renunciation.

He/she who takes intoxicants becomes angry, cruel, and violent. Therefore, any follower of the Buddha who takes to intoxicants knowing well the disadvantages cannot be a true follower.

Intoxicants not only taint one’s mind with poison, but also burns out the germinating (growing) power of the seeds of good in the mind.

* We are well aware that all beings suffer in one way or another. Suffering may be physical or mental or both. We all know the pain of starvation, want of clothing, want of shelter and the pain of disease. Death is a blow to all alike.

So, let us not add to the suffering of others, but bring amity to those who are in enmity, unity to those who are divided, peace and harmony to the restless, confused, and in conflict. Let’s strive to refrain from doing wrong things and observe ‘pansil’ to this Poson and always.

Satara Brahma Viyarana
(Four qualities of love)

(i) Loving kindness or universal love (metta )
(ii) Compassion (karuna)
(iii) Sympathetic joy/altruistic or appreciative joy (mudita )
(iv) Equanimity (upekkha )

The Noble Eightfold Path

(Ariya Atthangika Magga)
(i)Right understanding (Samma ditti)
(ii) Right thoughts (Samma sankappa )
(iii)Right speech (Samma vacha )
(iv)Right action (Samma kammantha )
(v)Right livelihood (Samma ajiva )
(vi)Right effort (Samma vayama )
(vii)Right mindfulness (Samma sati )
(viii)Right concentration (Samma samadhi )

- Asha SENEVIRATHNE