R  E  S  O  U   R  C  E  S

The Precepts

The precepts themselves are quite straightforward.

I undertake the precept:

1 2 3 4 5	to refrain from destroying living creatures. to refrain from taking that which is not given. to refrain from sexual misconduct. to refrain from incorrect speech. to refrain from intoxicating drink and drugs which lead to carelessness.
The first thing to consider about the precepts is that they all have some expression in common law; e.g. murder, theft, rape, slander and addiction. Each precept addresses a relatively base inclination in humanity and although their intention is quite clear there are levels of subtlety.
1	The first is basically just not killing things but one can consider degrees of harming. Not pushing in a queue; brushing insects away rather than swatting them; restrained, non-threatening body language.
2	The basic intent around not taking things is simply not stealing. A more refined standard is that 'if it's not yours then don't even touch it.' There is the impulse to grap things off others, to fiddle about with other peoples property. How annoying it is to return to your work and find things have been shifted around.
3	The third precept is literally 'sensual' restraint. This can cover too many pizzas [taste], too much television[sight], loud music[hearing], etc. Sex is probably the strongest sense drive and this precept has generally come to be thought of as sex restraint [touch]; this is fidelity, as in not committing adultery. For younger [pre-adolescent] children this precept can be considered as 'faithfulness in relationships', taking care of one's friends.
4	Speech is probably the most difficult precept. This is made clear when looking at the 8-Fold Path and one sees that a whole 'step' on that path is given over to right speech. Not telling lies is the minimum standard. It also includes telling tales, gossip, abusive language.
5	A quote from the Pali scriptures covers the fifth precept: 'Taking drink and drugs brings a sixfold misfortune: it leads to a loss in one's property, to quarrels, is a source of sickness, creates a bad reputation, destroys the sense of moral shame and weakens the intellect.' A clear mind is the key to Buddhist liberation and drink and drugs mess it up. Also, breaking this precept increases the chances of breaking the other four.

Considering the monk's 227 rules (vinaya - c.f.) and the various levels within the 5 precepts it is possible for each person to find a level of practice that suits them; from a basic 5, to 227. Lay people living in a monastery, and novices, would keep eight precepts. The extras are primarily renunciant - as opposed to moral. Fidelity is changed to celibacy (3); food is eaten only in the morning (6); no sensual distraction - movies, TV, make up, jewellery, etc (7), not indulging in sleep (8). For the principles of renunciation see: LIFESTYLE - VINAYA.

Is common law related to morality? To what degree?
Is harmlessness realistic in a competitive world?
Related to the 3rd precept, how many types of sense abuse can you think of?
Make a list of various forms of 'wrong' speech.

As well as the various levels of restrain within a precept - the "don't do"side of things - each has a variety of positive, balancing factors - a "do this". The energy that leads us to break a precept is weakened by consciously cultivating these various qualities.