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Compiled by Jayaram V
According to the tenets of early Buddhism, a monk is expected
to observe a certain code of conduct. The code is based upon the life of the
Buddha himself, what he did during his early days as a monk in search of
Nirvana. The following information is taken from the Digha Nikaya, according
to which a monk is expected to observe the following rules both in thought
and deed. Thus he should:
1. Give up injury to life and lay aside all types of
weapons and instruments of harm.
2. Live modestly, full of mercy, desiring compassion and
welfare of all living things.
3. Not take not what is not given, accept what is given and
wait till it is given.
4. Live in honesty and purity of heart.
5. Give up unchastity. He should practice celibacy and
overcome the desire for sexual intercourse.
6. Give up false speech, speak truth, keep faith, should be
faithful and trustworthy and should not break his promise.
7. Give up slander, not repeat what he heard in one place to
another in order to cause strife, strive to unite those who are divided
by strife, encourage those who are friends, take delight in peace, and speak
such words that establish and make for peace.
8. Give up harsh speech, speak words that are devoid of blame
and criticism, words that are pleasing to the ears, touching the heart,
cultured, pleasing to the people and loved by them.
9. Give up frivolous talk, speak appropriately at the right
time, in accordance with facts, with words full of meaning, memorable,
timely, well illustrated, measured and to the point.
10. Not do any harm to the plants and seeds.
11. Take only one meal at a time, not eat during the night or
at the wrong time.
12. Not watch shows or attend fairs with song dance and
music.
13. Not wear ornaments, or adorn himself with garlands,
scents, or cosmetics.
14. Not use high or large beds.
15. Not accept gold or silver, raw grain, or raw meat.
16. Not accept women or girls, bondmen or bondwomen, sheep or
goats, fowls or pigs, elephants or cattle, horses or mare, fields or houses.
17. Not act as a go-between or a messenger.
18. Not buy or sell, or falsify with scales, weights or
measures.
19. Not be crooked, never bribe, not cheat, or defraud.
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