The Five Precepts

The Five Precepts provide the basic foundation for morality (sila) for the practitioner. They are not commandments, but, rather a framework to live out of to assure basic compassion and compatibility among humans and other sentient beings. The wording of the five precepts is from Thich Nhat Hanh.

FIRST PRECEPT

Being mindful of suffering caused by the taking of life, we are determined to live in ways that preserve and protect life in all its forms.

SECOND PRECEPT

Being mindful of suffering caused by the taking of what belongs to others, we are determined to take only what is freely given and to give freely as we are able to those in need.

THIRD PRECEPT

Being mindful of suffering caused by sexual acts that break commitments, we are determined to keep our commitments and to respect the commitments of others.

FOURTH PRECEPT

Being mindful of suffering caused by careless or malicious speech, we are determined to use words to heal the wounds of misunderstanding, anger, hate, and fear.

FIFTH PRECEPT

Being mindful of suffering caused by taking poisons into our bodies and minds, we are determined to take into our bodies and minds only those things that nourish awareness, life, and love.

The Triple Gems

The Triple Gems form the foundation of Buddhist practice. The word refuge refers to a safe haven. Taking refuge in the Buddha, means that we take safe haven in the example that he demonstrated of loving kindness, generosity and the ability to awaken from ignorance and delusion through meditation practice. Taking refuge in the Dharma means that we take safe haven in the teachings of the Buddha and acknowledge the capacity of these teachings to transform our lives. Taking refuge in the sangha means that we take safe haven in the community of practitioners, whether lay or monastic, who embrace the teachings of the Buddha. The wording of these triple gems is from Thich Nhat Hanh.

To Buddha we go for refuge.
In the path of mindful awareness, we take refuge.
The practice of conscious breathing is our refuge.

To Dharma we go for refuge. 
In the teaching of no separate self, we take refuge.
The insight that all beings are without blame is our refuge.

To Sangha we go for refuge. 
In the community of boundless compassion, we take refuge.
The guidance of the Five Wonderful Precepts is our refuge.