Buddhist Ethics and the Pali Canon

Buddhist ethics is grounded in the teachings found within the Pali Canon, which is recognized as one of the earliest collections of Buddhist texts. The foundation of this ethical system is rooted in fundamental training rules, specifically the five precepts that guide lay practitioners. These five precepts encompass abstaining from harming living beings, taking what is not given, sexual misconduct, false speech, and the use of intoxicants. These rules not only serve to foster individual moral conduct but also contribute to communal harmony among practitioners.