In Buddhist thought, ethical life is gathered around what are called the Five Precepts, a set of voluntary commitments that orient the mind and heart toward non-harm and clarity. The first is the resolve to refrain from killing or harming living beings, extending compassion to humans, animals, and all sentient life. The second is the commitment to refrain from taking what is not given, which includes theft, stealing, and any dishonest acquisition of goods. Together, these two precepts cultivate a deep respect for the lives and possessions of others, encouraging a way of living that does not exploit or injure.

The third precept is to refrain from sexual misconduct, understood as sexual behavior that is harmful, exploitative, or inappropriate, such as adultery or actions that cause distress in relationships. This guideline does not reject sexuality itself, but calls for responsibility, respect, and an awareness of the impact one’s actions have on others. The fourth precept, refraining from false speech, encompasses lying, slander, harsh or abusive language, idle gossip, and frivolous talk. Speech, in this vision, becomes a field of practice where truthfulness, kindness, and benefit to others are consciously cultivated.

The fifth precept is to refrain from intoxicants—alcohol and drugs that cloud the mind and lead to heedlessness. This is not merely a rule about substances; it reflects the insight that a clear, undistracted mind is essential for understanding suffering and its end. By guarding the mind in this way, practitioners create the inner conditions needed for mindfulness, wisdom, and stable compassion to grow.

For those who have taken monastic vows, these foundational precepts are expanded into a more detailed discipline. Monastics undertake additional restraints such as refraining from eating at improper times, from entertainment and adornment, from using high or luxurious beds and seats, and from accepting money or storing food. These further rules are not arbitrary burdens but are intended to simplify life, reduce attachment, and support continuous practice. In all of these forms, the precepts function less as external commandments and more as conscious choices that shape character, gradually aligning conduct, speech, and mind with the path toward liberation from suffering.