What are the dasa sila?

They are the ten precepts undertaken by novices and by fully ordained monastics as the basic shape of their training.

State the first five precepts.

They are to abstain from taking life, from taking what is not given, from sexual misconduct, from false speech, and from drink and drugs that cloud the mind.

State the remaining five precepts of the dasa sila.

They are to abstain from eating after midday, from entertainment and shows, from garlands, perfumes and cosmetics, from high and luxurious beds, and from accepting gold and silver.

How does the third precept differ for those keeping the ten precepts?

Where lay people undertake to avoid sexual misconduct, those keeping the ten precepts undertake celibacy.

WJEC A-Level Religious Studies 603-0277-X

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Buddhism: Religious Life and Moral Principles

The dasa sila and the lay and monastic sanghas

3 things to know
AS Unit 1

Overview

Dasa sila, first five precepts and wording of the precept formula and what it shows.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

Explain the idea that monastics keep precepts on behalf of the wider community.

Key term

Which precepts do most lay Buddhists undertake, and when might they take more?

Key term

Why is the tenth precept significant for the relationship between the sanghas?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What are the dasa sila?
Model answer
They are the ten precepts undertaken by novices and by fully ordained monastics as the basic shape of their training.
2
State the first five precepts.
Model answer
They are to abstain from taking life, from taking what is not given, from sexual misconduct, from false speech, and from drink and drugs that cloud the mind.
3
State the remaining five precepts of the dasa sila.
Model answer
They are to abstain from eating after midday, from entertainment and shows, from garlands, perfumes and cosmetics, from high and luxurious beds, and from accepting gold and silver.
4
How does the third precept differ for those keeping the ten precepts?
Model answer
Where lay people undertake to avoid sexual misconduct, those keeping the ten precepts undertake celibacy.
5
Which precepts do most lay Buddhists undertake, and when might they take more?
Model answer
Most lay Buddhists keep the five precepts, and many take eight on uposatha observance days or during a retreat.
6
Why is the tenth precept significant for the relationship between the sanghas?
Model answer
A monastic who handles no money depends on lay support for food, robes, shelter and medicine, so the two parts of the community are bound together.

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