Buddhist precepts

(also: five precepts; samaya voces' bodhisattva vows) For Buddhists, spiritual progress typically requires the acceptance of an ever-greater number of moral precepts. Upon taking refuge in the Three Treasures (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha), most Buddhists will participate in a five precepts ceremony, in which they formally vow to abstain from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and intoxicants. In the Theravada tradition, monastic novices and very devout lay Buddhists observe an additional five precepts: refraining from eating after noon, using ornaments, watching entertainment, lying on a luxurious bed, and handling money. Monks, nuns, and devote lay members of the Mahayana tradition observe these 10 samaya vows, and supplement them with additional bodhisattva vows—the most important addition being the pledge to attain awakening for the sake of all beings. In both the Theravada and Mahayana traditions, fully ordained monks observe approximately 250 precepts and nuns follow more than 300.