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Sunday, April 11, 2010

What We Can Become, and, The Five Precepts




What We Can Become, and, The Five Precepts







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What We Can Become

Saints have a very positive and optimistic view of us. Though they may note our predicament, our current situation, what they really see is what we can become. What they know is that each person can become a perfect being full of light and joy.

They also know that most of us are unaware of this fact because our minds have become clouded by attachments and scattered by wrong activities so we have lost sight of where real peace and joy are to be found.

Once we understand our great potential, we will naturally apply ourselves to developing what is lying dormant within us. We will make sure we do actions that nourish spiritual growth and avoid actions that are negative, destructive or bring unhappy results.

To help us avoid the many pitfalls that lie between us and our goal, the Saints advise us to concentrate our efforts on five main points:

1. To follow the instructions of a true living teacher;

2. To abstain from eating meat, fowl, fish, and eggs;

3. To lead an honest, moral life;

4. To refrain from taking drugs and alcohol; and

5. To practice meditation for two and a half hours a day.

(Dr. S.R. Bakshi, Dr. Sangh Mittra, Encyclopaedia of Saints of India, Volume 19: Radhasoami)


The Five Precepts


ETHICS - AHIMSA VALUES - THE FIVE PRECEPTS

Moral requirements for Initiation

1. Abstinence from alcohol and drugs;

2. Ahimsa (Non-Violence in thought, word, and deed) including vegetarianism [abstinence from meat, fish, and eggs]);

3. Lead a truthful life;

4. Practice non-stealing -- an honest, ethical source of income;

5. Loyalty to ones spouse;

. Another Version of the Five Precepts

1) Refrain from taking the life of sentient beings. [This precept requires strict adherence to a lacto-vegetarian diet: no meat, fish, poultry or eggs (fertilized or non-fertilized).]

2) Refrain from speaking what is not true.

3) Refrain from taking what is not yours.

4) Refrain from sexual misconduct.

5) Refrain from using intoxicants.