The first five precepts are mandatory for every Buddhist, although the fifth precept is often not observed, because it bans the consumption of alcohol. When we abstain we realise that non-abstainance creates suffering to others, hence mindfully we realise the importance of keeping these precepts. Practice the Five Precepts in our everyday life, everytime, everywhere. The Five Precepts include :

1. Do NOT Kill
2. Do NOT Steal
3. Do NOT Indulge in Sexual Misconduct
4. Do NOT Indulge in False Speech (Lie)
5. Do NOT Take Intoxicants

Precepts no. six to ten are laid out for those in preparation for monastic life and for devoted lay people unattached to families. The eight precepts put together number eight and nine and omit the tenth. Lay people may observe the eight precepts on Buddhist festival days. Ordained Theravada monks undertake no less than 227 precepts, which are not listed here.

6. ABSTAIN from taking untimely meals.
7. ABSTAIN from dancing, singing, music and watching grotesque mime.
8. ABSTAIN from use of garlands, perfumes and personal adornment.
9. ABSTAIN from use of high seats.
10. ABSTAIN from accepting gold or silver.

Some good links on the Five Precepts:

The Five Wonderful Precepts by Thich Nhat Hanh


Leading a Buddhist Life and the Five Precepts at Alan Khoo's Homepage, S'pore

Three Ways Of Practice

For those who seek Enlightenment there are three ways of practice that must be understood and followed: First, disciplines for practical behavior; second, right concentration of mind; and third, wisdom.

What are disciplines? Everyone, whether he is a common man or a way-seeker, should follow the precepts for good behavior. He should control both his mind and his body, and guard the gates of his five senses. He should be afraid of even a trifling evil, and, from moment to moment, he should endeavor to practice only good deeds.

What is meant by the concentration of mind? It means to get quickly away from greedy and evil desires as they arise, and to hold the mind pure and tranquil.

What is wisdom? It is the ability to perfectly understand and to patiently accept the Fourfold Noble Truth......

Exposition of the Eight-fold Noble Path

* Right view means to thoroughly understand the Fourfold truth, to believe in the law of cause and effect, and not to be deceived by appearances and desires. (The law of cause and effect states that: The world is a vast concurrence of causes and effects. Everything happening now is the result of what happened before, and everything which shall happen later is the result of what is happening now. Nothing remains unchanged forever. Therefore, it is an error to become attached to any object, since no object has an enduring reality to it).

* Right thought means the resolution not to cherish desires, not to be greedy, not to be angry, and not to do any harmful deed.

* Right speech means the avoidance of lying words, idle words, abusive words, and double-tongues.

* Right behavior means not to destroy any life, not to steal, and not to commit adultery.

* Right livelihood means to avoid any life that would bring shame.

* Right mindfulness means to maintain a pure and thoughtful mind.

* Right concentration means to hold the mind right and tranquil for its concentration, seeking to realize the mind's pure essence.

Those who follow these three ways of practice (i.e., disciplines for practical behavior, right concentration of mind, and wisdom) may rightly call themselves the disciples of Buddha.

The 4 points of view to be considered

The four points of view to be considered are:

* First, to consider the body impure, seeking to remove all attachment to it,

* Second, to consider the senses as a source of suffering, whatever their feelings of pain or pleasure may be,

* Third, to consider the mind to be in a constant state of flux, and

* Fourth, to consider everything in the world as being a consequence of causes and conditions, and that nothing remains unchanged forever.

The Four Right Procedures

* First, to prevent any evil from starting.
* Second, to remove any evil as soon as it starts.
* Third, to induce the doing of good deeds.
* Fourth, to promote the growth and continuance of good deeds that have already started.

One must endeavor to keep these four procedures.

The Five Faculties Of Power

The five faculties of power are:

* First, the faith to believe.
* Second, the will to make the endeavor.
* Third, the faculty of alertness.
* Fourth, the ability to concentrate one's mind, and
* Fifth, the ability to maintain clear wisdom.

These five faculties are necessary powers for anyone who wishes to obtain Enlightenment.

The Perfection Of Six Practices

The perfection of six practices for reaching the "other shore" of Enlightenment are:

* The path of offering
* The path of keeping precepts
* The path of endurance
* The path of endeavor
* The path of concentration of mind, and
* The path of wisdom.

These are explained thusly:

* The practice of Offering gets rid of selfishness.

* The practice of Precepts keeps one thoughtful of the rights and comforts of others.

* The practice of Endurance helps one to control a fearful or angry mind.

* The practice of Endeavor helps one to be diligent and faithful.

* The practice of Wisdom changes a dark and confused mind into a clear and penetrating insight.

By following these paths, one can surely pass from the shore of delusion over to the shore of Enlightenment.

The Four Unlimited States of Mind

There are Four Unlimited States of Mind that the seeker of Enlightenment should cherish:

* Compassion
* Tenderness
* Gladness
* Equanimity

These are explained thusly:

* One can remove greed by cherishing compassion.

* One can remove anger by tenderness.

* One can remove suffering by gladness.

* One can remove the habit of discrimination of enemies and friends by cherishing an equitable mind.