The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (2273 page)

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Authors: John Bowker

BOOK: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions
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led to the gurdw
r
(though Namdh
ris retain the older name). Worship is simple compared with Hindu ritual; and
k
rtan
is prominent.
la
(Skt.; P
li,
s
la
). ‘Precepts’, the basic obligations which Buddhists undertake, ten for
bhik
u/bhik
unis
, five for laypeople (or the first eight on
uposatha
days): the undertaking, in the rule of training, is to abstain from
(i) harming any living being,
(ii) taking anything not given,
(iii) misconduct involving sense-pleasure,
(iv) false speech,
(v) losing control of mind through alcohol or drugs,
(vi) solid food after midday,
(vii) frivolous entertainments,
(viii) perfumes and jewellery,
(ix) raised, soft beds,
(x) involvement with money or other valuables. These are understood, not so much as ‘ten commandments’, as promises that Buddhists make to themselves at the start of each day.

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