Tag: buddhist precepts

Because the fifth Buddhist precept specifically says, “I am determined not to use alcohol or any other intoxicant or to ingest foods or other items that contain toxins …” I chose not to take this precept. I have a sweet tooth. I drink. I watch trash TV sometimes and knew this is a vow I would break from time to time.

I didn’t really date in high school, or even college, so I didn’t have to deal with the same temptations my peers did. I was frightened by what my faith community had taught me about sex and romance, so gladly avoided it. I was also in the closet until my 20s.

Last year my partner and I bought a house together and for the past nine months have been crossing DIY improvement projects off our list. Doing these projects together is helping us grow as a couple, and I’m grateful, but there’s one task that puts me in a bad mood without fail — painting. I’d rather get a root canal.

The Buddha taught we should show compassion to all sentient beings, not just humans. Initially it reminded me of the biblical commandment, “Thou shalt not kill,” which tended to focus solely on not killing human beings. Buddhism too, says not to murder, but breaks it down further, explaining that protecting human life is only possible by also protecting anything that lives.

Because I write about faith, people often ask me what religion I am.  Sometimes I stumble over my answer. I admit I worry what people will think when I say “I’m a Buddhist.” It sounds so … trendy, which I am not. At the garden store Buddha’s statues have become as popular as St. Francis.