Preface
This article is based on the first few topics of the supplementary of Soma Thero’s sermons, which is given with the Rajana paper. This particular part is extraction of the book “Misadutu Bindina Handa”, page 171-173. Please note that this article is not a one-to-one translation, but this covers the entirety of the meaning. I do hereby apologize if I have anything wrong in translations and please request you to show it. If you have any questions regarding the contents in this article, please raise.
Sha

Around 69% of the people in Sri Lanka are Buddhists. Some people questions is it because of some problem with Buddhism the country is getting declined day by day.

But the reality is not that. First of all we have to identify that.

The Buddhism we follow can be divided into to three parts as preliminary Buddhism, the philosophy of Buddhism and the Buddhism followed in the Name of Buddha. Even though at a glance all are like same there are deep contradictions among them.

The Doctrine of Buddhism (Budhu Dahama)

This is the Dharama and Vinaya (Doctrine and Discipline), which still last since the era of Lord Buddha. In this in addition to the preachings of Lord Buddha, there are other concepts, which were added at later times. But it is not that difficult to identify them. Knowledgeable people in the world accept that the Buddhism we recognize as “Therawada”, is the preliminary doctrine of Buddhism.

The Philosophy of Buddhism (Baudhdha Dharshanaya)

Knowledgeable people have examined the spirit of the preaching of Buddha in detail and have explained the philosophical part of the Buddhism. It is called the Buddhist Philosophy (Baudhdha Dharshanaya). But between what is called “Dassana”, which Lord Buddha has preached by observing the three characteristics of existence (Thrilakshana) from his wisdom, and the Philosophy, which comes here, there is a big difference. What so ever the concepts and philosophy of Buddhism have lead Buddhism spreading all over the world. The  wise people in the world assure that there had not been and there is no such doctrine like Buddhism, which describe deep philosophy of life more descriptively.

The Religion of Buddhism (Budhdhagama)

Around 90% of the Buddhists in this country have identified the Religion of Buddhism (Buddhagama) as the doctrine of Buddhism (Budhu Dhahama). Even though Religion of Buddhism is based on the doctrine of Buddhism, following the religion of Buddhism is not following the doctrine or accepting the philosophy.

This famous religion of Buddhism, which is based on various offering practices (puja charithra), has come across lots of changes from history to today. That is because of the affection of various other religions and cultures. Therefore the religion that we follow today has eliminated the spirit of the preachings of Lord Buddha and is becoming the mode of mythic vision. Even though with grieve, it is not possible to avoid telling these things.

Through the spirits of Buddhism it talks about a collection of good scientific mental behaviors, which every man should follow. But Buddhists who has jumped out of this track and has changed this Buddhism, as they want. Buddhism talks about a path to be followed which gives benefit to the people both in this world and after the death (melowa saha paralowa). It is not a about offering and praying. Even though it is cleared from the preaching of Lord Buddha, Buddhists accepts and act having taken what is important as unimportant and what is not important as important. This is the reason this country is declining even having Buddhists lived in it. Situations like this Lord Buddha have explained as throwing away the middle of a tree and using the cover of it.

Hope now you have understood, the difference between the pure Buddhism and the popular Buddhism. Then therefore re-establishing the pure Buddhism in this country is a compulsory task.

Buddhist and Five Precepts (Baudhdhaya saha Pancha Seelaya)

Lord Buddha has preached a doctrine, which is beneficial for both worlds. Buddhist is the person who has taken the refuge of Threefold Refuge (thisarana sarana giya) and in the path of eightfold path (aaraya ashtangika maaragaya) having accepted it. The people who have followed Threefold refuge are called Male Adherent and Female Adherent (Upasaka and Upasika). But in today’s society they are the ones who are just dressed with virtue clothes (Sil redhi). But it is more adhere to the doctrine calling Upasaka for the people who really follow the five precepts, which are the definite precepts for Buddhists.

There is another thing to mention when the term “Baudhdha”, is used. There was no term as “Baudhdha”, in Buddha’s time. Other religious people addressed the ones who had followed the refuge of Lord Buddha, as “Gothama Sawako”, “listeners of Lord Budhdha Gauthama”. In the dispensation of Budhdha (Budhdha Sasana), Gihi people (ordinary people who are not monks), were called Upasaka – Upasika. Lord Budhdha explained in detail “Who the Upasaka is”. According to that Lord Buddha has stated, having followed threefold refuges and observed five precepts and the person who follows those is called susilvath (virtue) upasaka and who breaks the five precepts is called dusilvath (non-virtue) upasaka. This is described in Mahanama Sanyuktha in Sanyuktha Nikaya.

Panchaseelaya, which is pansil, five precepts are some good behaviors, which had been there even before the Buddha’s era. What describes from these is living effectively to others and self without doing harm to self or others.

We’ll understand the meaning of the first precept in a simple form.

“Panathipatha Weramani Sikhkha Padan Samadiyaami”
I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living creatures

This means that abstaining killing of any living beings. This can be identified as a moral rule, which confirms the right of living irrespective of weather a man or animal. Both man and animal desires their life. But no one wants to get destroyed. Lord Buddha has preached that having known the fact that, every ones desires their life, like they do about them selves do not hurt others with weapons and things and destructive objects.

Like wise understand the meanings of others four precepts also. Hope you understand that when you think according to this it is obvious that these precepts not only suit and belong to Buddhists. Five precepts can be identified as piece of good practices, which can be followed by anyone in the world without any contradictions of religions, who appreciate the beneficial existence. Therefore how valuable set of precepts is followed by the Buddhists?

Reference: “Misadutu Bindina Handa” – Page 171-173

Comment:
When you read this you can see that Soma Thero has always started from the very basics of the doctrine. He has first explained the philosophical and religious aspects of Buddhism. Then the about the myths have been added and about what we have to follow on top of everything, which are five precepts.

I do hereby include all five precepts;

Panatipata veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living creatures

Adinnadana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given

Kamesu micchacara veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual misconduct

Musavada veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I undertake the precept to refrain from incorrect speech

Suramerayamajja pamadatthana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead to carelessness

Request:
I would like to request someone to write an article on five precepts describing each of it in little detail. Then we can publish it. Later we cab publish separate articles for each precept.