page_title: Theravada
section_title: Moral conduct
hierarchical_section_title: Theravada / Practice (paṭipatti) / Moral conduct
caption_attribution_description: Buddhist monks receives food from the Buddhist, Thailand
context_page_description: Theravāda is the most commonly accepted name of Buddhism's oldest existing school. The school's adherents, termed Theravādins, have preserved their version of Gautama Buddha's teaching in the Pāli Canon. The Pāli Canon is the most complete Buddhist canon surviving in a classical Indian language, Pāli, which serves as the school's sacred language and lingua franca. For over a millennium, theravādins have endeavored to preserve the dhamma as recorded in their school's texts. In contrast to Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna, Theravāda tends to be conservative in matters of doctrine and monastic discipline.
  Modern Theravāda derives from the Mahāvihāra sect, a Sri Lankan branch of the Vibhajjavādins, a sub-sect of the Indian Sthavira Nikaya, which began to establish itself on the island from the 3rd century BCE onwards. It was in Sri Lanka that the Pāli Canon was written down and the school's commentary literature developed.
  From Sri Lanka, the Theravāda Mahāvihāra tradition subsequently spread to the rest of Southeast Asia. It is the dominant religion in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand and is practiced by minorities in India, Bangladesh, China, Nepal, and Vietnam.
context_section_description: Sīla, meaning moral conduct, is mainly defined as right speech, right action, and right livelihood. It is primarily understood through the doctrine of kamma. In Theravāda, one's previous intentional actions strongly influence one's present experience. Whatever intended actions are carried out will have future consequences, whether in this life or subsequent lives. Intention is central to the idea of kamma. Actions done with good intentions, even if they have bad results, will not have negative kammic consequences.
  Several sets of precepts or moral trainings (sikkhāpada) guide right action. After taking refuge in the three jewels, lay Theravādins traditionally take the five precepts (whether for life or for a limited time) in the presence of a monastic. Laypeople also sometimes take an extended set of eight precepts, which includes chastity during special occasions such as religious holidays.
  Performing good deeds is another important feature of Theravāda ethics. Doing so is said to make "merit" (puñña), which results in a better rebirth. The "ten wholesome actions" is a common list of good deeds:
  Generosity (dāna); This typically involves providing monks with “the four requisites”; food, clothing, shelter, and medicine; however, giving to the lay needy is also considered dāna.
  Moral conduct (sīla); Keeping the five precepts and generally refraining from doing harm.
  Meditation (bhāvanā).
  Transferring merit; doing good deeds in the name of someone who has died or in the name of all beings.
  Rejoicing in merit of good deeds done by others, this is common in communal activities.
  Rendering service to others; looking after others.
  Honoring others; showing appropriate deference, particularly to the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, and to seniors and parents. Usually done by placing the hands together in Añjali Mudrā, and sometimes bowing.
  Preaching Dhamma; the gift of Dhamma is seen as the highest gift.
  Listening to Dhamma
  Having correct views; mainly the four noble truths and the three marks of existence.
caption: Giving (Dana) is an important Buddhist virtue. The community of monastics is seen as the most meritorious field of karmic fruitfulness.
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