Buddist Rules

[Ambience]

According to Buddism there are five strict rules that you must adere to. There are consequences if you don't. This rather worries me as sometimes i do want to be able to have a small drink, not get drunk, without being punished when i am reincarnated. I also can't always be totally honest without offending someone, but not being honest has it's consequences in the next life too. What happens if i stand on an ant,i've killed it and then i'm punished in the next reincarnation.

Is there a type of buddism that is more flexible and allows less consequence than the traditional buddism. Thanks ever so much, lost with this at the moment.

Much love, Janey xx

[Rin Daemoko]

I wasn't aware that there were consequences for not keeping the five precepts for laity. I never keep the one to refrain from consuming alcohol, simply because it's based on a false premise - that even the smallest amount of alcohol will create a heedless state in which you'll lose mindfulness and do something counter-dharmic.

The Buddha taught us to never accept any teaching merely because someone said it's true, or because it's written in a respected text, or on the authority of elders. Rather, one should test the teaching to see if it holds weight.

The precept about refraining from indulging from consumption of alcohol is not simply not entirely correct. Therefore, I do not observe it. Rather, I keep the Middle Way in mind. Moderation in all things.

[Paracelsus]

I rather thought that the beauty of the five precepts lies in their flexibility - that they are not rules imposed from outside, but aspirations arising from within - particularly for the laity. I suspect with all of them, as you suggest, that it is mainly about observing moderation, and avoiding behaviours that can build up attachment.

[RunningBear]

There is an article here:

http://buddhism.about.com/od/ethics/a/Alcohol.htm

about Buddhism and alcohol which I found useful. As for treading on the ant, I think it depends on why you tread on the ant. If you do it deliberately in order to harm it, then that is wrong. If it is done by accident without intent then that doesn't have negative consequences. For me the guiding principle is harm. If what you do or say will cause harm then it is wrong.

[Ambience]

I was what could be considered unfaithful in my relationship with my current boyfriend. He doesn't know but he suspects. I don't want to harm our relationship by telling him the "truth" so to speak. I have now become more mindful and am totally faithful to him in every sense. In my actions my thoughts, I love him with all my heart, i was just at a point in my life where i was unhappy & fragile shall we say. I have built up my inner self now to be as stong as a rock yet flexible and compassionate as a flower. I hope that you don't judge me for my past, but the thing is will calma catch up eventually even though i have changed my ways and my consideration for my boyfriend. He is my soulmate and my angel. I love him so much and don't want to lose him but i want to be honest with him also. Are some things better left unsaid. What if i am confronted on the truth? Will i still be punished? Is my karma going to effect me ultimately. My heart says yes, yet i hope that our strength in our relationship now will pull us through this. What do you think.

[Shanti]

Buddha himself taught that everyone should believe nothing no matter who says it! He taught we should all find our own truths. How can anyone do that if they just follow what was written by another?
Search for your own answers. What you find will be for you.

[Darkwater Stone]

I love this thread.