The Five Moral Precepts are the backbone of Buddhist ethics and are designed to discipline and purify the three means of human action — body, speech, and mind. The precepts are recited on a daily basis by most Buddhists after reciting the formula for the threefold refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha. The observance of the five precepts forms the minimum foundation of a life governed by the Buddha’s teachings. The precepts are as follows:

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 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 abstention from killing, stealing, and sexual misconduct disciplines and purifies bodily actions. The abstention from incorrect speech (lies, slander, abusive speech, frivolous talk) disciplines and purifies verbal actions. The precept against the use of intoxicants attempts to safeguard the mental faculty from degeneration. A person under the influence of intoxicants has little control over himself, and tends to cause harm to himself as well as others.

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