Part of tag cluster Precepts in key topic Foundations of Dhamma Practice
Subtags: Five Precepts, Eight Precepts, Monastic precepts
See also: Virtue
40 excerpts, 3:05:57 total duration
19. “What suggestions do you have when thoughts of transgression of sila arise. I cannot change the past, but I have regrets.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Precepts] [Restlessness and worry]
2. “During retreats I sometimes have dreams in which my actions are unskillful. Does one eventually keep the precepts even in dreams?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Precepts] [Dreams]
2. “What did the Buddha think following his teachings should mean or entail?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Three Refuges] [Precepts] [Buddhist identity ] // [Virtue] [Lay life] [Five Precepts] [Faith] [Generosity] [Association with people of integrity] [Hearing the true Dhamma] [Learning] [Practicing in accordance with Dhamma] [Conceit]
Sutta: AN 8.26 Jīvaka Sutta
7. Comments about the positive reputation of Buddhism in the West. [Culture/West] [Precepts] [Idealism] [Buddhist identity]
Response by Ajahn Pasanno.
4. “What do you recommend for pet owners with aging, sick pets? Do they get to live out their lives or is a merciful end at the hands of a vet OK?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Animal] [Ageing] [Sickness] [Euthanasia] [Precepts]
1. “What are the consequences of breaking a precept?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Precepts ] // [Pāli] [Learning] [Volition] [Ajahn Chah]
The root of hiri and otappa. [Conscience and prudence ] [Translation] [Truth] [Kamma] [Respect]
13. “When you’re living on the precepts, how do I relate to (for example) a friend who tells me about an affair they are having?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Jotipālo. [Precepts] [Spiritual friendship] [Sexual misconduct] // [Skillful qualities] [Admonishment/feedback] [Discernment] [Right Speech] [Vinaya] [Abhayagiri]
Quote: “Don’t admonish your fellow monks before the meal.” — Ajahn Chah. Quoted by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Chah] [Monastic life] [Food] [Eating after noon]
4. “Does a sotāpanna keep the precepts perfectly?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Stream entry ] [Precepts] // [Virtue]
12. “It’s a common phrase: “If you see the Buddha on the road, kill him.” Obviously it’s using hyperbole for effect but I think it means to trust only in your own experience. At what point do the guidelines and precepts leave off and the way to proceed on findings begins? I know it’s not a linear path, but I’d appreciate your thoughts.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Direct experience] [Precepts] [Trust] [Long-term practice] // [Zen] [Vinaya] [Dhamma] [Relinquishment] [Middle Path]
Quote: “The Vinaya and the precepts are for holding on, and the Dhamma is for letting go. When you learn how to balance those two, then you will be free from dukkha.” — Ajahn Chah to Ajahn Sumedho [Ajahn Chah] [Ajahn Sumedho] [Precepts] [Liberation]
17. “I grew up in an environment where any difference was met with hostility. I was bullied, I was robbed a few times, I didn’t feel safe. No wonder the idea of refuge always resonated with me....However, even after living in very tolerant California and generally feeling myself safe here, when I am outdoors practicing walking meditation, whenever I see or hear strangers approaching me, my mind begins rushing in anticipation that this encounter would turn hostile. Being on precepts makes me feel particularly vulnerable. Could you share some teaching about protecting qualities of the Dhamma and how I can feel less fear while keeping the precepts? Could some of the monastics share their stories of receiving unexpected kindness from seemingly hostile strangers or stories of resolving physical or verbal attacks while wearing the robes and keeping precepts?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Discrimination] [Abuse/violence] [Fear] [Three Refuges] [Meditation retreats] [Precepts] [Dhamma] [Monastic life] [Stories] [Generosity] // [Human] [Truth] [Compassion] [Abhayagiri] [Almsround]
Story: A football hooligan has a sharing session with a monk on a train.
Story: Ajahn Gunha wanders into a Communist base on tudong. [Ajahn Gunha] [Tudong] [Politics and society] [Rains retreat]
Story: Ajahn Sudanto goes almsround each day in White Salmon. [Ajahn Sudanto] [Pacific Hermitage]
18. “For the sake of the precepts, what’s the definition of gossip?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Precepts] [Malicious speech] [Idle chatter]
20. “Is the point of the precepts to create as much well-being and as little pain in your environment as possible?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Precepts ] [Happiness] // [Non-contention] [Communal harmony] [Trust]
1. “Why are the precepts worded as things not to do rather than as aspirations?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Precepts ] [Vinaya] // [Dhamma]
Quote: “You can’t mandate goodness.” [Precepts ]
13. “Can you talk about evolution and growth in regards to the precepts as opposed to just following rules?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Five Precepts] [Precepts] [Attachment to precepts and practices] // [Pāli] [Etymology] [Learning] [Suffering] [Doubt] [Self-identity view]