Lesson video

Hello, my name's Ms. Ramalli, and welcome to today's RE lesson, which forms part of our unit on Buddhism practises.

So in today's lesson, we are going to be learning about the first two of the five moral precepts.

So we are going to be exploring the first precept, do not take life, and the second precept, do not take what is not given.

Okay, let's begin.

Today's lesson outcome is: I can explain the moral precepts to not take life or what is not given and why these teachings are important.

To help with our understanding for today's lesson, there are three keywords.

They are ethics or ethical, moral, and the five precepts, also known as panchasila.

Ethics, or ethical, relates to moral principles that inform behaviour and attitudes.

Moral is concerned with the principles or beliefs about what is right and wrong.

And these include following the five moral precepts.

The five precepts are an important part of Buddhist ethics and it's also part of the Eightfold Path, that part being right action.

Specifically, right action.

So today's lesson, the five moral precepts: do not take life or what is not given, takes two parts.

So we are going to begin by learning about the first precept, do not take life, and then moving on to the second precept, do not take what is not given.

Okay, let's begin by learning about the first precept.

Most religions have a code of ethics.

The five moral precepts, or panchasila, are a set of ethical guidelines used in most schools of Buddhism.

By following these precepts, Buddhists aim to lead a virtuous life, reduce suffering, dukkha, and ultimately attain enlightenment.

The term panchasila has its origins in the ancient Sanskrit language.

Pancha meaning five, and sila meaning moral conduct or virtue.

So panchasila can translate to mean five virtues or five precepts.

The five moral precepts are: do not take life, do not take what is not given, do not misuse the senses, do not speak falsehoods, and do not take intoxicants that cloud the mind.

Okay, let's pause for a moment and complete a check for understanding.

So the five moral precepts are a set of ethical guidelines in Buddhism.

So give one of the moral precepts.

So for example, do not take life.

Now it's time for you to have a go.

Give another of the moral precepts.

Pause the video here and press play when you are ready to check your answer.

Okay, welcome back.

So one possible answer is do not take what is not given.

Other possible answers are: do not misuse the senses, do not speak falsehoods, and do not take intoxicants that cloud the mind.

So here we're going to have a look at the moral precepts in more detail.

So do not take life, the first moral precept, means avoid harming any living being.

The second precept, do not take what is not given, refers to avoiding taking things that are not yours.

The third moral precept, do not misuse the senses, refers to avoiding overindulging in things like food and not cheating in relationships.

The fourth moral precept, do not take falsehoods, regards avoiding lying or spreading rumours or gossip for example.

And number five, do not take intoxicants that cloud the mind, that refers to avoiding alcohol and drugs.

Buddhists will look to the teachings of the Buddha to know what good morals are and how to behave.

In the Dhammapada, verses 246 to 247, it says, "He who destroys life, tells lies, takes what is not given to him, commits adultery and takes intoxicating drinks, digs up his own roots even in this very life." So what you are going to do now is with your partner, you're going to have a discussion and have a go at answering this question: what can a Buddhist learn from this verse about what good morals are and how to behave? Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to reflect on your answers.

Okay, great discussions, everybody.

So perhaps in your discussions you said something along these lines.

A Buddhist learns that if they engage in destructive or excessive behaviours, it will cause instability, and instability will ultimately lead to suffering.

The suffering can happen in this life.

Fantastic.

Well done, everybody.

So the first moral precept, do not take life.

We are going to now learn about the first moral precept in more detail.

So in the Dhammapada, we know it says, "He who destroys life and tells lies." And this refers to violence, harming or killing others, and the negative consequences that come with it.

So what we learn here is that Buddhists need to avoid taking life.

They need to avoid violence and harming or killing anything because ultimately they're going to want to avoid the negative consequences.

So for example, they're going to want to avoid gaining negative karma.

Niti, a Theravada Buddhist monk, explains why the first moral precept is important.

Niti says, "The first moral precept is important because it sets the foundations or roots for the other precepts, not to cause harm.

The precepts can be practised at different levels.

So for example, with the mind.

If a person thinks of hurting someone, even if they don't physically hurt them, it is still unskillful and it is best avoided." Niti explains how the first moral precept influences him.

He says, "The first moral precept, do not take life, includes not causing harm to any living being.

As a Buddhist, I aim to avoid harming or killing any living being, and this includes animals.

This principle means that I'm influenced to be a vegetarian." Okay, let's complete a check for understanding.

Which one of the following is not one of the moral precepts: A, do not take life; B, do not take what is given; or C, do not speak falsehoods? Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to see the correct answer.

Okay, welcome back, everybody, and well done if you selected B.

Do not take what is given is not one of the precepts.

Remember, it is do not take what is not given.

Fantastic.

Well done.

Okay, so time to complete our first practise task.

Sofia has made two points about the moral precepts.

You need to develop both points, and you could use an example or evidence to explain them further.

So her first point is, one Buddhist belief about the five moral precepts is that they are a set of ethical guidelines used in most schools of Buddhism.

Sofia then goes on to say, a second Buddhist belief about the five moral precepts is that by following them, suffering, or dukkha, is reduced.

Okay, so pause the video here and have a go at developing both of Sofia's points.

Remember, you can use an example or evidence to explain them further.

Good luck.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to check your answers.

Okay, welcome back, everyone.

So your answers might have said, for the first point, one Buddhist belief about the moral precepts is that they are a set of ethical guidelines used in most schools of Buddhism, and a development of that point could be: by following these precepts, Buddhists aim to lead a virtuous life and attain enlightenment.

The second point that Sofia had made was: a second Buddhist belief about the moral precepts is that by following them, suffering, or dukkha, is reduced.

Development could be: the Dhammapada states, "He who destroys life, tells lies, digs up his own roots even in this very life." And this demonstrates that people who engage in destructive behaviours and ignore the moral precepts create dukkha, or suffering.

Okay, fantastic, everyone.

Well done on completing the first practise task.

So now we're going to move on to learn about the second of the five moral precepts, do not take what is not given.

So the second moral precept, do not take what is not given.

So for example, this would be avoiding actions such as stealing.

Izzy says, "As a Mahayana Buddhist monk, what do you understand the second moral precept to mean, Ting?" Ting replies, "The second precept, do not take what is not given, means that I cannot take something that has not been given to me.

This includes not stealing, but also that I must not manipulate others or try to get someone to do something for me that they are not freely offering to do." Can you think of religious teachings that are similar to this precept? Pause the video here and either with your partner or on your own, note down any other religious teachings that are similar to the precept, do not take what is not given.

Press play when you're ready to move on with the lesson.

Ting explains why the second moral precept is important to him.

Ting says, "Do not take what is not given is important because it emphasises respect for other people's possessions.

It promotes ethical behaviour based on honesty and integrity.

By refraining from stealing or taking what is not freely offered, I aim to cultivate respect for other people's rights and resources.

I believe this is a skillful action and produces good karma." Okay, let's pause and check our understanding.

Which of the following demonstrates a Buddhist way of practising the second moral precept? A, asking to borrow my friend's ruler and waiting until they have given me permission to use it; B, taking my friend's ruler without asking, they have let me borrow it before, so they will not mind if I use it again; or C, asking to borrow my friend's ruler, but as they didn't hear me ask, I'd borrow it anyway and return it without them knowing.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Okay.

Right, time to check your answer.

So well done if you said that A is the correct answer, asking to borrow my friend's ruler and waiting until they have given me permission to use it is a way that a Buddhist might demonstrate practising the second moral precept.

Ting explains how the second moral precept influences him.

Ting tells us, "The second precept influences me to reduce attachments.

Attachment is a main cause of suffering in Buddhist dharma." Remember, dharma means teachings in Buddhism.

"When I avoid taking what isn't mine, I practise detachment, which reduces dukkha, suffering, and leads to a more peaceful and harmonious life." Either on your own or with your partner, discuss or note down, what does Ting say about attachment? Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to move on with the lesson.

Ting goes on to say, "The second precept also influences me to be mindful and demonstrate self-discipline.

By adhering to this precept, I aim to create mutual trust, respect, and generosity.

These values support my path to enlightenment by minimising harm and fostering compassion to all beings.

This is a way for me to develop skillful actions and positive karma." What does Ting say about self-discipline? Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to move on with the lesson.

Okay, let's check your understanding of what you've just heard.

Which of the following two ways demonstrate how a Buddhist is influenced by the moral precepts? A, it encourages them to reduce attachments; B, it encourages them to refrain from stealing; or C, it encourages them to create mistrust and respect.

Remember, you are looking for two answers for this check for understanding.

Pause the video and press play when you are ready to check your answers.

Okay, welcome back, everyone, and well done if you selected A and B.

So now we're going to pause and complete our second and final practise task.

You need to answer the question, explain two reasons why the moral precepts are important to Buddhists.

Refer to sacred writings or another source of Buddhist belief and teaching in your answer.

So here is some guidance that you might like to follow when answering this question.

So the question asks for two reasons, so you need to give two points.

And remember, it is always good practise to develop each point.

You also need to name and use a source of authority and explain what it says or what it teaches.

So this might be a quotation or a general belief or teaching.

Okay, good luck completing the second practise task.

Pause the video here and press play when you are ready to check your answer.

Fantastic.

Welcome back, everybody.

So you had a go at answering the question, explain two reasons why the moral precepts are important to Buddhists.

Your answer may look something like this.

One reason the moral precepts are important to Buddhists is because do not take what is not given influences Buddhists to show respect for other people's possessions.

The Dhammapada states, "He who destroys life, takes what is not given him, digs up his own roots even in this very life." The moral precepts teach ethical behaviour and how to reduce suffering, dukkha.

Another reason the moral precepts are important to Buddhists is because do not take what is not given influences most Buddhists to reduce attachments.

Attachment is a main cause of suffering in Buddhist dharma.

So what you notice here is there are two different reasons.

Two points have been made, each point has been developed, and in the first paragraph there is reference to the source of wisdom and authority and an explanation of what it teaches.

So that brings us to the end of today's lesson on the five moral precepts: do not take life or what is not given.

So here are the key learning points from today's lesson.

The five moral precepts, or panchasila, are a set of ethical guidelines used in most schools of Buddhism.

The first two moral precepts are: do not take life or do not take what is not given.

The first moral precept is important because it sets the foundation or roots for the other precepts, to not cause harm.

The moral precepts are important to reduce suffering, dukkha, and demonstrate compassion.

And finally, the moral precepts influence Buddhists to promote ethical behaviour and reduce attachments.

Well done on all of your hard work in today's RE lesson.

Thank you for joining me.

Goodbye.