Page:History of India Vol 1.djvu/370

 MORAL PRECEPTS OF GAUTAMA BUDDHA

RELIGION, whose great aim is the teaching of holy living in this world, must necessarily be rich in moral precepts, and such maxims are the peculiar beauty of Buddhism, for which the religion is held in honour over all the civilized world. It will be our pleasant task in this chapter to glean some of these graceful precepts, which will give our readers some idea of the essence of Gautama's moral teachings.

Gautama prescribed for lay disciples five prohibitory rules or precepts, which are binding on all Buddhists, whether laymen or Bhikkhus, and are recapitulated thus: "Let not one kill any living being. Let not one take what is not given him. Let not one speak falsely. Let not one drink intoxicating drinks. Let not one be unchaste."

Three other rules are laid down which are not considered obligatory, but which are recommended to austere and pious lay disciples, and run as follows:—

"Let not one eat untimely food at night. Let not one wear wreaths or use perfumes. Let one lie on a bed spread on the earth." Rh