PART 3 – PRECEPTS

Introduction

‘The Precepts’ are a basic and fundamental means to examine our moral standing. They provide the highest level of understanding and are the moral compass. ‘The Precepts’ are not divided into greater detail in the form of ‘The Particulars,’ but rather a comprehensive list of actions have been compiled into the ‘The Particulars’ and then aggregated with the most appropriate ‘Precept.’ The ‘Precepts’ and ‘Particulars’ can be applied both internally and externally to look at our behaviour and that of others.

The Three Precepts

• Do no harm

• Do good

• Be good

Precept 1 – Do no harm

To not cause harm is a ‘Precept’ that stands alone and can be acted upon regardless of the other two ‘Precepts.’ For this reason, it is listed first.

For those who have never consciously considered their actions or the good or harm they do, the first ‘Precept’ is the first step in a measured approach to moral behaviour and moral improvement. Before embarking on good or reaching deep into your inner self to assess your virtue and vices, ask yourselves, what harm do I do? What harm am I doing? Once you become aware, you can take action to stop or minimise the harm you are doing. This is the most basic action to improve moral behaviour. Doing harm occurs through either direct actions or unintended consequences.

Direct action. This is where our actions directly cause harm. We can ask ourselves whether our actions physically abuse others, nature, or the world around us. Or do we use more subtle forms of abuse such as denigration or financial control to deny others from achieving a happy existence? These are but two examples of direct-action causing harm. The means and methods for causing direct harm are expansive and far too many to list. For those who cause harm, immediate action is called for. Seek help and assistance and accept the consequences as part of making amends.

For those causing what they might consider to be harm of only minor severity, the need to cease and desist is still applies. Self-control and commitment is what is needed. Be empathetic by trying to imagine and feel the pain you inflict. This will help to control your actions.

Unintended consequences. This is the collateral harm caused by our actions to others, or the world around us. Great care and consideration is needed to assess the indirect consequences of our actions. The questions to be considered are cascading and expanding. If I do this, then what are the likely outcomes? What harm will those outcomes do? What subsequent events are they likely to cause? What harm will those subsequent events cause and so on? Doing harm can be minimised through predetermined action, and or considered action.

Predetermined actions. Predetermined actions are the application of principles or rules designed to minimise harm. They provide a code of behaviour that does not require significant thought or analysis to determine the right actions. (Although this is not always the case and when in doubt ‘The Precepts’ provide guidance.) Much of ‘The Particulars’ identified in Part 1 fit into predetermined actions. These include actions or rules such as obeying laws, preservation of life and respect for others.

While ‘The Particulars’ are not an absolute listing, they provide guidance that applies in an overwhelming number of instances. The occasions when these should be questioned are rare. Careful and considered analysis, however, should always be undertaken whenever any decision is made to act outside any of the predetermined actions. Consultation with friends, family or advisors must be conducted when there is any intent not to follow ‘The Particulars.’ There are never occasions not to follow ‘The Precepts.’

Military conflict is a clear example where an individual must consider the morality of the actions they are being asked to undertake and assure themselves of the appropriateness of that action. Self Defence either at a national level or as an individual is an appropriate action. Predatory actions or bullying at either a national or individual level is not. Prescription medication prescribed by a medical doctor for mind-altering substances is another clear example where ‘what appears to be a harmful action’ is acceptable for the benefit of overall health.

Considered Actions. Considered actions are those where you need to apply thought and analysis to the consequences of your action as the outcomes are either not clear or the possibility for unintended consequences is high. Considered actions require a degree of mindfulness. Awareness is needed to see things for what they are with a clear conscious (being aware of one’s own craving, aversion, or prejudices). Objective intention is achieved by overcoming subjective bias.

Making moral choices can be aided using modelling techniques – (see Annex A p42). A single action may trigger additional events (a domino effect). Where there are complex outcomes, alternative strategies need to be planned and be ready to employ. We need to apply continual reassessment of ‘intent,’ based on feedback and self-analysis. This assists in reaching a satisfactory result. Do not cling to previous decisions without justification, decision ownership is an easy trap to fall into. Actions must be modified or reversed when feedback indicates the need to do so. Continue to work towards the desired outcome and the prevention of harm.

Second Precept – Do Good

‘Do good,’ is a ‘Precept’ that may stand alone or can build upon the first ‘Precept.’ It involves altruistic, kind and generous acts directed at the welfare of others or the world around us.

To do good requires intent and active participation outside the normal conduct of our lives. It is a moral action undertaken with deliberate intent to do good which is a positive moral reflection on the doer. The second ‘Precept’ is enacted through deliberate actions of the body, speech, or mind. The second ‘Precept’ can be considered, helping others, making others happy and taking care.

Helping others. We can help others by giving time, money, possessions or any other resources or assets. We can do this through volunteer groups and associations, or we can act independently on our own. A careful and considered approach, however, is needed where there is potential of doing harm associated with acts of ‘doing good.’

Consideration of the world around us is included in ‘The Second Precept.’ Without a world to live in, there can be no existence. Undertakings for the world around us, inclusive of nature and the environment are acts of ‘doing good.’

There is always a need to be mindful of ‘The First Precept’ of doing harm where we might prevent others from growing, learning and achieving their own independence. Additionally, no matter how poor or disadvantaged we might be, there are always opportunities to help others. The less we have, makes the act of giving so much greater. The more we have makes the act of giving less significant.

Where action is beyond us as an individual, we can find others to help by looking to friends and family, work colleges or looking to our local community. Looking further afield at the environment or larger issues, we can help by joining with associations or groups. Ideally, we can spread our support across all layers of society and the world around us.

Make others happy. Taking the time to deliberately make others happy reflects upon the doer and brings reciprocal happiness to the doer as well as the receiver. We make others happy by helping them, and there is a wealth of ways to do this. These might be achieved by such simple acts as:

• smiling

• giving thanks

• showing love

• being truthful

• talking the time to listen

• being non judgemental

• acting fair, firm and friendly

Always act with intent and do not look for reward or self-gratification. There are opportunities all around us. Just go looking and they will be there.

Taking care. Taking care is looking after those close to us, and the world around us. It is just as much about taking care of our living space as it is the local area and the wider world. For governments and larger organisations, it is also about the oceans, the mountains, the forests, and our interaction with the universe.

Self-respect is central to taking care of ourselves and our families and we must continually apply this to ensure we find the time and motivation to complete the menial tasks of daily life. We must also combat the vices that take us away from our duties of taking care. By taking care of those around us, we make them happy and content. They are comforted by having someone upon whom they can rely. When we take care of the wider world, we make others happy through sustainment of a suitable world to live in. In doing so, we also make ourselves happy.

Third Precept – Be good

‘Be Good,’ is intra-perspective as it involves how we think and how we feel, unlike the first two ‘Precepts’ which are concerned with how we act. It is intricately interwoven with the first two ‘Precepts’ as it influences our actions. Others may judge us on this ‘Precept,’ but it is only us who truly know and understand how we think and why we do what we do. Achievement within ‘The Third Precept’ is not possible without some achievement within the first and second ‘Precepts.’

Achievement of ‘The Third Precept’ is never complete. Humanity abounds in mistakes and misjudgements. While live we need to apply a concerted effort to improve and or maintain our efforts to be good. We continue to make decisions and interact with the world around us, therefore, we need to be vigilant and continually examine what we do and why we do it. Behaviour reflects our character, and with determination and motivation, both (what and why) can be modified and controlled.

Virtues. The character traits and behaviours to follow and embraced are:

• Fidelity – refraining from sexual misconduct

• Temperance - moderation or self-restraint in action, statement, self-control

• Diligence - constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken; persistent exertion of body or mind; working hard

• Patience - bearing provocation, annoyance, misfortune, delay, hardship, and pain with fortitude and calm and without complaint, anger, or the like; quietly and steadily persevering

• Kindness - a good or benevolent nature or disposition; considerate, helpful; humane; gentle; clement; compassionate

• Humanity - tenderness, compassion, and sympathy for others, nature, and the environment, especially for the suffering or distressed; acting in a manner that causes the least harm

• Honesty - uprightness and fairness; truthfulness, sincerity, frankness

• Equanimity - emotional stability or composure under tension or strain; calmness; equilibrium

• Reverence – to honour and respect where appropriate; to act with dignity and integrity

• Self-respect - proper esteem or regard for the dignity of one's own character

Vice. Character traits and behaviours to be renounced and overcome:

• Lust - uncontrolled or illicit sexual desire or appetite; lecherousness; overmastering desire or craving, hunger, or yearning, to covet

• Gluttony - excessive eating and drinking

• Greed – avarice, excessive or rapacious desire for wealth, possessions, or gain

• Sloth - habitual disinclination to exertion; indolence; laziness

• Wrath- strong, stern, or fierce anger; deeply resentful indignation; ire; vengeance; rage, resentment, fury

• Envy - a feeling of discontent or covetousness regarding another's advantages, success, or possessions

• Pride - a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority

• Bullying– a desire to control and manipulate people or entities around us for our own self-interests; persecute, oppress, tyrannize, torment, browbeat, intimidate, cow, coerce, strong-arm, subjugate, domineer

• Ignorance - deliberately ignore or disregard valuable information or facts

• Hatred - intense dislike or extreme aversion or hostility

In the pursuit of being good, love and compassion is the key. We must associate with like minded persons to foster and build a moral existence. We also need to be an example to others.

***