Muni's PlayThe Five Precepts (Pañca-sīla)
The Five Precepts are the basic code of ethics undertaken by lay followers of Buddhism. They are commitments to abstain from harming oneself and others.
1. Abstaining from Killing
Pali
“पाणातिपाता वेरमणी सिक्खापदं समादियामि।”
Pali (Latin)
“Pāṇātipātā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi.”
Sanskrit
“प्राणातिपातात् प्रतिविरति-शिक्षापदं समाददामि।”
English Translation
“I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living creatures.”
2. Abstaining from Stealing
Pali
“अदिन्नादाना वेरमणी सिक्खापदं समादियामि।”
Pali (Latin)
“Adinnādānā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi.”
Sanskrit
“अदत्तादानात् प्रतिविरति-शिक्षापदं समाददामि।”
English Translation
“I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given.”
3. Abstaining from Sexual Misconduct
Pali
“कामेसुमिच्छाचारा वेरमणी सिक्खापदं समादियामि।”
Pali (Latin)
“Kāmesu micchācārā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi.”
Sanskrit
“कामेषु मिथ्याचारात् प्रतिविरति-शिक्षापदं समाददामि।”
English Translation
“I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual misconduct.”
4. Abstaining from False Speech
Pali
“मुसावादा वेरमणी सिक्खापदं समादियामि।”
Pali (Latin)
“Musāvādā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi.”
Sanskrit
“मृषावादात् प्रतिविरति-शिक्षापदं समाददामि।”
English Translation
“I undertake the precept to refrain from incorrect speech.”
5. Abstaining from Intoxicants
Pali
“सुरामेरयमज्जपमादट्ठाना वेरमणी सिक्खापदं समादियामि।”
Pali (Latin)
“Surā-meraya-majja-pamādaṭṭhānā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi.”
Sanskrit
“सुरामैरेयमद्यप्रमादस्थानात् प्रतिविरति-शिक्षापदं समाददामि।”
English Translation
“I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead to carelessness.”
Summary Table: Comparison of Precepts (शिक्षापदानि)
| # | Precept (English) | Pali (IAST) | Sanskrit (Devanāgarī) | Sanskrit (IAST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | No Killing | Pāṇātipātā | प्राणातिपातात् | Prāṇātipātāt |
| 2 | No Stealing | Adinnādānā | अदत्तादानात् | Adattādānāt |
| 3 | No Misconduct | Kāmessu micchācārā | काममिथ्याचारात् | Kāmamithyācārāt |
| 4 | No Lying | Musāvādā | मृषावादात् | Mṛṣāvādāt |
| 5 | No Intoxicants | Surā-meraya… | सुरामैरेयमद्य… | Surāmaireyamadyapramāda… |