Chapter 4
The Types of Sila
There are three types of Sila as follows.
1. Sila-5 or the Five Precepts
These are the basic precepts that preserves one's human quality and guides a person to be civilized and righteous. Therefore, every human being must observe at least these five precepts.
2. Sila-8 or the Eight Precepts
These are the precepts that are observed on the Buddhist Holy Day or on special occasions in order to further elevate the quality of one's mind.
3. Parisuddhisila
These are the precepts observed by the Buddhist monk and they consist of four parts as follows.
3.1 Patimokkhasamvarasila It includes the Buddhist monk's 227 Precepts. These precepts are successfully observed by the power of Saddha (or faith).
3.2 Indriyasamvarasīla It means the restraint of the senses which include the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind. It means taking neither pleasure nor displeasure in seeing a physical form, listening to a sound, smelling something, tasting something, touching something or feeling something. It means being restraint and watchful so as not to be dominated by unwholesomeness. This part of the Parisuddhisila is successfully practiced by the power of Sati (or mindfulness).
3.3 Ajivaparisuddhisīla It means conducting right livelihood. This part of the Parisuddhisila is successfully practiced by the power of Viriya (or effort).
3.4 Paccayasannisitasila It means considering the four requisites, namely, food, shelter, clothing, and medicine before consuming them. This part of the Parisuddhisīla is successfully practiced by the power of Panna (or insight).
These four parts of the Parisuddhisila enable the Buddhist monk to live a life of clarity, purity, peace, and happiness at all times.
Sila-5 or the Five Precepts
1. The intention to abstain from killing.
2. The intention to abstain from stealing.
3. The intention to abstain from sexual misconduct.
4. The intention to abstain from lying.
5. The intention to abstain from the consumption of alcohol and other addictive substances.
The flawless moon orbiting in space is brighter than all the stars. A person replete with Sila and Saddha (or faith) is more glorious than all the miserly people in the world.
