Five Precepts and Eight Precepts

Most lay Buddhists undertake the 5 precepts and for the more devoted Buddhists, they will undertake the stricter 8 precepts which include the earlier 5 precepts. 

This year Vesak Day, my friend took the 8 precepts at a local Buddhist temple. I was curious as he is married. He shared that the 8 precepts are only observed by laypeople during periods of intensive meditation practice and during uposatha (lunar observance) days. From the access to insight, "The Eight Precepts are based on the Five Precepts, with the third precept extended to prohibit all sexual activity and an additional three precepts that are especially supportive to meditation practice." My friend has been reminding me to practise the 8 precepts at Buddhist temple but I'm quite busy now. Maybe I go for 8 precepts in December. 

The five precepts are observed by most practicing lay Buddhists. As a Buddhist, I try to observe the five precepts. But sometimes I lapse by using incorrect speech when I get angry like being sarcastic or raising my voice. My practice is still not good. 

Buddha taught the Noble eightfold path to practise Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Thought, Right Understanding, Right Mindfulness, Right Effort and Right Concentration. By practising the five precepts, it helps the lay Buddhist to follow the right path. Thus the five precepts set by the Buddha are quite easy to follow. 

Whenever my friend said that Buddha did not say that we should not eat meat, I like to highlight one of the precepts to refrain from destroying living creatures. 2600 years ago during Buddha time, it was tough to have vegetables in the arid land. Thus Gautama Buddha did not take Devadatta's suggestion to enforce that monks don't eat meat else it would be tough for the people to offer food to the monks.

I also find it difficult to have no meat but at least I try to reduce the meat intake hopefully it helps to reduce suffering of sentient beings. If everybody can reduce meat intake, more lives can be indirectly saved.  

Website: https://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sila/atthasila.html

The Five Precepts:

1.

I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living creatures.

2. I undertake the precept t

o refrain from taking that which is not given.

3. 

I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual misconduct.

4. 

I undertake the precept to refrain from incorrect speech.

5. 

I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead to carelessness.

The Eight Precepts:

1. I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living creatures.

2. I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given.

3. I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual activity.

4. I undertake the precept to refrain from incorrect speech.

5. I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead to carelessness.

6. I undertake the precept to refrain from eating at the forbidden time (i.e., after noon).

7. I undertake the precept to refrain from dancing, singing, music, going to see entertainments, wearing garlands, using perfumes, and beautifying the body with cosmetics.

8. I undertake the precept to refrain from lying on a high or luxurious sleeping place.