The principles of Buddhism are quite simple and quite a direct contact to our day-to-day life. There are three trainings in the principles of Buddhism: they are: (1). Moral quality, (2). the quality of concentration and (3). wisdom. Under (1). Moral quality, it refers to the five precepts that are (1). Not to kill, (2). Not to take what is not given (3). Not to commit sexual misconduct, (4). Not to lie, and (5). Not to take any sort of intoxicating drinks and drugs.
These five precepts are the moral quality that must be seriously observed by a Buddhist. However, you should not confuse these five precepts with the “Ten Commandments” taught in Christianity. To observe the five precepts, there is nothing to do with any God and any faith but with understanding the meaning of the five precepts and how the five precepts benefit your life and develop your quality of life when it is respectfully practiced.
Look for a moment practically, when one kills any sentient being, one will not be happy feeling deeply regretful for what one has done. No one likes killing. No one will be permitted to kill any one by universal law. You can imagine that the first precept should be observed by everyone. When it is respectfully observed, it is clear that one’s quality of life will be developed and one will happily live by observing “Not to kill”. Similarly, I believe that there will be no objection to observe all the five precepts. Civilized world will fully agree to observing the five precepts.
Of course, one will be unhappy feeling regretful almost forever when one intentionally violates one the precepts. One will not be punished by any God when one violates one of them or all the five but one will definitely be spiritually punished by one’s own intentional violation of the five precepts. It also means that one is precisely responsible to one’s own action wholesome or unwholesome.
It can be adapted by modern philosophy and the system of democracy. Therefore, you should remember that your quality of life will clearly be developed by developing the first principle of the Buddha’s Teaching, moral quality. Of course, if your moral quality is quite good enough, your confidence will be developed; your happiness will be developed and your dignity will be developed. After all, you will be honored by your friends around you. I’m sure that it will make you happy. It is the purpose of life, isn’t it?
You can imagine how much you can be happy if these three trainings, moral quality, the quality of concentration and the quality of wisdom are fully and perfectly developed by practice. Therefore, I said these three trainings are the principles of Buddhism that will make you live happily. These three are quite simple to understand and quite a direct contact with our day-to-day life. No matter what you believe in, it will be fine but you should try to practice these three trainings as you said “The principles of Buddhism” regardless of faith and belief.
I believe that it will make you happy. And I believe that no God will punish those who observe these three trainings, moral quality, the quality of concentration and the quality of wisdom that are truly needed for the entire humanity and that will perfectly benefit the entire humanity. I hope you got it.
