Panca Sila (The Five Precepts) in the Pali Canon

Updated 12 April 2024

Panca Sila (The Five Precepts) in the Pali Canon

Panca Sila (The Five Precepts)

  1. Panatipata veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
  2.  Adinnadana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
  3.  Kamesu micchacara veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
  4.  Musavada veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
  5.  Sura meraya majja pamadatthana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami

Pañca‧Sīla (The Five Precepts) with Diacriticals

  1. Pāṇātipātā veramaṇī‧sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi
  2.  Adinnādānā veramaṇī‧sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi
  3.  Kāmesu micchācārā veramaṇī‧sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi
  4.  Musāvādā veramaṇī‧sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi
  5.  Surā‧meraya‧majja‧pamādaṭṭhānā veramaṇī‧sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi

Panca Sila (The Five Precepts)

  1. I undertake the Precept to refrain from killing and injuring living beings
  2.  I undertake the Precept to refrain from taking that which is not given
  3.  I undertake the Precept to refrain from sexual misconduct and excessive sensuality
  4.  I undertake the Precept to refrain from false and harmful speech
  5.  I undertake the Precept to refrain from drink and drugs which fuddle the mind and reduce mindfulness

Panca Sila (The Five Precepts) in The Pali Canon

Ajahn Amaro, the abbot of Amaravati Monastery emphasizes that in some prominent places in the suttas only the first four precepts are mentioned, whereas all five precepts are described together in other suttas. Ajahn Amaro points out that the first four precepts are pakati-sila whereas the fifth precept is pannati-sila. He provided details of the Suttas listed below.

Venerable Nyanatiloka explains in his Buddhist Dictionary that pakati-sila [is] natural or genuine morality, [which] is distinct from those outward rules of conduct laid down for either laymen or monks. Those latter are the so-called prescribed morality (pannatti-sila).
Buddhist Dictionary: Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines. Nyanatiloka, Venerable. 2004. (5th revised edition) (Kandy Sri Lanka, BPS Buddhist Publication Society. (ISBN 955-24-0019-8) (Current ISBN 978-974-9511-30-5).
https://www.bps.lk/olib/bp/bp601s_Nyanatiloka_Buddhist-Dictonary.pdf

Suttas and Translations

Suttas and translations are available on the Access to Insight, dhammatalks.org website and Sutta Central websites.

Access to Insight https://www.accesstoinsight.org/

dhammatalks.org   https://www.dhammatalks.org/  https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/

Sutta Central  https://suttacentral.net/?lang=en

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DN Digha Nikaya

DN 1 Brahmajala Sutta The Supreme Net

The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Digha Nikaya. 1987. Translated from the Pali by Maurice Walsh. 1996. (Kandy Sri Lanka, BPS Buddhist Publication Society). (ISBN 955-24-0154-2).
Division One: The Moralities, Sutta 1 Brahmajala Sutta: The Supreme Net, pages 67-90. (Short Section on Morality 1.8 and 1.9 pages 68-69 includes the first Four Precepts of The Five Precepts Panca Sila. Notes page 538.)

The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Digha Nikaya. 1987. (Maurice Walsh translator) (Boston USA, Wisdom Publications). (0-86171-030-4) (Current ISBN 978-086171-103-1).
https://wisdomexperience.org/product/connected-discourses-buddha/

Dialogues of the Buddha. Part I. Translated from the Pali of the Digha Nikaya Part 1. T.W. Rhys Davids translator. 1977 reprint of 1899. (Oxford, Pali Text Society) (ISBN 0-7100-7629-0) (Current edition ISBN 978-0-86013-???-?). (Sacred Books of the Buddhists Series Volume II).
Brahmajala Sutta: The Perfect Net, pages xxv- 55. (The Moralities Part I Kula Sila: The Short Paragraphs on Conduct, 1.8 and 1.9 pages 3-5 include the first Four Precepts of The Five Precepts Panca Sila.)
https://palitextsociety.org/product/dialogues-of-the-buddha/

Dialogues of the Buddha Translation of Digha Nikaya (3 volumes) (Current edition ISBN 978-0-86013-???-?).
https://palitextsociety.org/product/dialogues-of-the-buddha/

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DN 26 Cakkavatti Sutta The Lions’s roar on the Turning of the Wheel

The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Digha Nikaya. 1987. Translated from the Pali by Maurice Walsh. 1996. (Kandy Sri Lanka, BPS Buddhist Publication Society). (ISBN 955-24-0154-2).
Division Three: The Patika Division, Sutta 26 Cakkavatti-Sihanada Sutta: The Lion’s Roar on the Turning of the Wheel, pages 395-405. (26.6 pages 397-398 includes the Five Precepts Panca Sila. Notes page 601.)
https://palitextsociety.org/product/dialogues-of-the-buddha/

The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Digha Nikaya. 1987. (Maurice Walsh translator) (Boston USA, Wisdom Publications). (0-86171-030-4) (Current ISBN 978-086171-103-1).
https://wisdomexperience.org/product/connected-discourses-buddha/

Dialogues of the Buddha. Translated from the Pali of the Digha Nikaya Part III by T.W. Rhys Davids and C. A.F. Rhys Davids translators. 1995 reprint of 1921. (Oxford, Pali Text Society) (ISBN 0-86013-035-5) (Current edition ISBN 978-0-86013-???-?). (Sacred Books of the Buddhists Series Volume IV).
Cakkavatti-Sihanada Sutta: The Lion Roar on the Turning of the Wheel, pages 53-76. (26.6 pages 63-64 includes the Five Precepts Panca Sila.)
https://palitextsociety.org/product/dialogues-of-the-buddha/

Dialogues of the Buddha Translation of Digha Nikaya (3 volumes) (Current edition ISBN 978-0-86013-???-?).
https://palitextsociety.org/product/dialogues-of-the-buddha/

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DN 31 Sigalovada Sutta To Sigalaka Advice to Lay People

The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Digha Nikaya. 1996. Translated from the Pali by Maurice Walsh. (Boston USA, Wisdom Publications). (ISBN 0-86171-103-3). (Current ISBN 978-08617-1979-2).
Division Three: The Patika Division, Sutta 31 Sigalaka Sutta: To Sigalaka Advice to Lay People, pages 461-469. (31.3 pages 461-462 includes the first Four Precepts of The Five Precepts Panca Sila. Notes page 612.) (31.7 and 31.8 page 462 include the Fifth Precept of The Five Precepts Panca Sila.) https://wisdomexperience.org/product/long-discourses-buddha/

The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Digha Nikaya. 1996. Translated from the Pali by Maurice Walsh. (Kandy, Sri Lanka, BPS Buddhist Publication Society). (ISBN 955-24-0154-2). (Current ISBN 978-08617-1979-2).
Division Three: The Patika Division, Sutta 31 Sigalaka Sutta: To Sigalaka Advice to Lay People, pages 461-469. (31.3 pages 461-462 includes the first Four Precepts of The Five Precepts Panca Sila. Notes page 612.) (31.7 and 31.8 page 462 include the Fifth Precept of The Five Precepts Panca Sila.)
https://wisdomexperience.org/product/long-discourses-buddha/

The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Digha Nikaya. 1987. Translated from the Pali by Maurice Walsh. (Boston USA, Wisdom Publications). (0-86171-030-4) (Current ISBN 978-08617-1979-2).
https://wisdomexperience.org/product/long-discourses-buddha/
https://archive.org/details/walshe-the-long-discourses-1995/

Dialogues of the Buddha. Translated from the Pali of the Digha Nikaya Part III by T.W. Rhys Davids and C. A.F. Rhys Davids translators. 1995 reprint of 1921. (Oxford, Pali Text Society) (ISBN 0-86013-035-5) (Current edition ISBN 978-0-86013-???-?). (Sacred Books of the Buddhists Series Volume IV).
Sigolavada Sutta, pages 168-184. (31.3 pages 174 includes the first Four Precepts of The Five Precepts Panca Sila.) (31.7 and 31.8, page 175 includes the Fifth Precept of The Five Precepts Panca Sila.)

Wheel 14 Everyman’s Ethics: Four Discourses of the Buddha adapted from the translations of Narada Thera
https://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/narada/wheel014.html

BPS Buddhist Publication Society Kandy Sri Lanka
https://www.bps.lk/
BPS Wheel Publications (ISSN 0068-3345)
https://www.bps.lk/library_wheels.php
https://www.bps.lk/olib/wh/_whindex.html
Wheel 14 Everyman’s Ethics: Four Discourses of the Buddha. Adapted from the translations of Narada Thera
https://www.bps.lk/olib/wh/wh014_Narada_Everymans-Ethics–Four-Discourses-of-Buddha.html
https://www.bps.lk/olib/wh/wh014_Narada_Everymans-Ethics–Four-Discourses-of-Buddha.html#sig

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AN Anguttara Nikaya

AN 5: Book of the Fives, Suttas 171-173 171 Timidity, 172 Self-Confidence, 173 Hell

The Book of the Gradual Sayings: (Anguttara-Nikaya) or More Numbered Suttas Vol III (The Books of the Fives and Sixes) 1995 reprint of 1934. Translated by F. L. Woodward. (Oxford, Pali Text Society). (ISBN 0-86013-016-9).
The Book of The Fives, Chapter XVIII The Lay Disciple, (171) Fearfulness, (172) Confidence, (173) Hell, page 150.

The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Anguttara Nikaya. Translated from the Pali: by Bhikkhu Bodhi. 2012. (Boston USA, Wisdom Publications). (ISBN 978-61429-040-7).
The Book of the Fives, Chapter III The Lay Follower, 171(1) Timidity, 172 (2) Self-Confidence, 173(3) Hell, pages 786-787.
https://wisdomexperience.org/product/numerical-discourses-buddha/

The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Anguttara Nikaya. Translated from the Pali: by Bhikkhu Bodhi. 2012. (Oxford, Pali Text Society). (ISBN 978-0-86013-499-2).
The Book of the Fives, Chapter III The Lay Follower, 171(1) Timidity, 172 (2) Self-Confidence, 173(3) Hell, pages 786-787.
https://palitextsociety.org/product/the-numerical-discourses-of-the-buddha/

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AN Anguttara Nikaya

AN 8.25, Book of the Eights, Sutta 25 Mahanama Sutta

The Book of the Gradual Sayings (Anguttara-Nikaya) or More Numbered Suttas Vol IV (The Books of the Sevens, Eights and Nines). Translator F.L. Woodward. 1989 reprint of 1934. (Oxford, Pali Text Society). (ISBN 0-7100-0092-8) (Current edition ISBN 978-0-86013-???-?).
The Book of The Eights, (25) Mahanama The Sakyan, pages 149-150.
https://palitextsociety.org/product/the-book-of-the-gradual-sayings-5-volumes/

The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Anguttara Nikaya. Translated from the Pali: by Bhikkhu Bodhi. 2012. (Boston USA, Wisdom Publications). (ISBN 978-61429-040-7).
The Book of the Eights, III Householders, 25(5) Mahanama, pages 1154-1155.
https://wisdomexperience.org/product/numerical-discourses-buddha/

The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Anguttara Nikaya. Translated from the Pali: by Bhikkhu Bodhi. 2012. (Oxford, Pali Text Society). (ISBN 978-0-86013-499-2). The Book of the Eights, III Householders, 25(5) Mahanama, pages 1154-1155.
https://palitextsociety.org/product/the-numerical-discourses-of-the-buddha/

Anguttara Nikaya Anthology: An anthology of discourses from the Anguttara Nikaya
[Earlier published as Wheel Publications 155-158; 208-211; 238-24]. Selected and translated from the Pali by Nyanaponika Thera and Bhikkhu Bodhi. 2007. (Kandy Sri Lanka, BPS Buddhist Publication Society). (BP 222). (ISBN 978-955-24-0297-5)
The Chapter of the Eights, 119. The Lay Follower (8.25), pages 141-142.
https://www.bps.lk/olib/bp/bp222s_Nyanaponika-Bodhi_Anguttara-Nikaya-Anthology.pdf

BPS Buddhist Publication Society Kandy Sri Lanka
https://www.bps.lk/
BPS Wheel Publications (ISSN 0068-3345)
https://www.bps.lk/library_wheels.php
https://www.bps.lk/olib/wh/_whindex.html
Wheel 208–211 Anguttara Nikaya An Anthology, Part II. Selected and translated from the Pali by Nyanaponika Thera and Bhikkhu Bodhi
The Chapter of the Eights, 50. The Lay Follower (8.25).
https://bps.lk/olib/wh/wh208_Nyanaponika_Bodhi_Anguttara-Nikaya-Anthology–II.html
https://bps.lk/olib/wh/wh208_Nyanaponika_Bodhi_Anguttara-Nikaya-Anthology–II.html#S50TheLayFollower

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Anguttara Nikaya

AN 9.20, Book of the Nines, Sutta 20 Velama Sutta

The Book of the Gradual Sayings (Anguttara-Nikaya) or More Numbered Suttas Vol IV (The Books of the Sevens, Eights and Nines). Translator F.L. Woodward. 1989 reprint of 1934. (Oxford, Pali Text Society). (ISBN 0-7100-0092-8) (Current edition ISBN 978-0-86013-???-?).
The Book of The Nines, (20) Velama, pages 262-265.
https://palitextsociety.org/product/the-book-of-the-gradual-sayings-5-volumes/

The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Anguttara Nikaya. Translated from the Pali: by Bhikkhu Bodhi. 2012. (Boston USA, Wisdom Publications). (ISBN 978-61429-040-7).
The Book of the Nines, II The Lion’s Roar, 20(10) Velama, pages 1274-1277, Notes pages 1822-1823.
https://wisdomexperience.org/product/numerical-discourses-buddha/

The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Anguttara Nikaya. Translated from the Pali: by Bhikkhu Bodhi. 2012. (Oxford, Pali Text Society). (ISBN 978-0-86013-499-2).
The Book of the Nines, II The Lion’s Roar, 20(10) Velama, pages 1274-1277, Notes pages 1822-1823.
https://palitextsociety.org/product/the-numerical-discourses-of-the-buddha/

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SN Samyutta Nikaya

SN 14.25 The Five Training Rules

The Book of the Kindred Sayings: (Samyutta-Nikaya) or Grouped Suttas Part II The Nidana Book (Nidana-Vagga) (Volume II) 1997 reprint of 1922. (Mrs C.A.F. Rhys Davids and F.L.Woodward translators). (Oxford, Pali Text Society). (0-86013-007-X)
Part II Book Called the Nidanavagga containing Kindred Sayings on Cause and Other Subjects, Chapter XIV 14 Kindred Sayings on Elements, 3 Courses of Action, 25(3) The Five Moral Precepts, page 112, includes The Five Precepts Panca Sila.

The Connected Discourses of the Buddha: A New Translation of the Samyutta Nikaya. Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi. 2000. (Volume I) (Boston USA, Wisdom Publications). (Volume I ISBN 0-86171-188-2) (Single Volume ISBN 978-086171-331-8).
Part II Book of Causation (Nidanavagga), Chapter III 14 Dhatasamyutta: Connected Discourses on Elements, III Courses of Kamma, 25(3) The Five Training Rules, page 644 includes The Five Precepts Panca Sila.
https://wisdomexperience.org/product/connected-discourses-buddha/

The Connected Discourses of the Buddha: A New Translation of the Samyutta Nikaya. Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi. 2 Volumes. 2002. (Oxford, Pali Text Society) (Volume I). (ISBN 978-0-86013-???-?).
Part II Book of Causation (Nidanavagga), Chapter III 14 Dhatasamyutta: Connected Discourses on Elements, III Courses of Kamma, 25(3) The Five Training Rules, page 644 includes The Five Precepts Panca Sila.
https://palitextsociety.org/product/connected-discourses-of-the-buddha/

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KN Khuddaka Nikaya

Sn Sutta Nipata

Sn Sutta Nipata 2.14 Dhammika Sutta

The Group of Discourses: Sutta-Nipata. Volume II. Revised Translation with Introduction and Notes by K. R. Norman. 1992. (Oxford, Pali Text Society) (ISBN 0-86013-303-6) (Current ISBN 978-0-86013-303-2).
II. The Small Chapter, 14. Dhammika, Verses 393-399, pages 41-43, includes The Five Precepts Panca Sila.
https://palitextsociety.org/product/the-group-of-discourses/

The Suttanipata: An Ancient Collection of the Buddha’s Discourses Together with its Commentaries. Translation by Bhikkhu Bodhi. 2017. (ISBN 0-86013-516-0) (Current ISBN 978-0-86013-516-6)
The Suttanipata II. The Minor Chapter Culavagga,14 Dhammika Dhammika Sutta pages 217-221 notes page 1352
https://palitextsociety.org/product/the-suttanipata-an-ancient-collection-of-the-buddhas-discourses-together-with-its-commentaries/

The Rhinoceros Horn. Translation by K. R. Norman. 2015. (Oxford, Pali Text Society) (Current ISBN 978-0-86013-154-0)
https://palitextsociety.org/product/the-rhinoceros-horn-2/

Woven Cadences of Early Buddhists [Suttan-nipāta]. E. M. Hare. 1945. (Oxford, Oxford University Press). (Sacred Books of the Buddhists Series Volume 15).

https://openlibrary.org/books/OL5120107M/Woven_cadences_of_early_Buddhists_Suttan-nipa%CC%84ta_.

Wheel 82 The Discourse Collection: Selected Texts from the Sutta Nipata by John D. Ireland
https://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/ireland/wheel082.html

BPS Buddhist Publication Society Kandy Sri Lanka
https://www.bps.lk/
BPS Wheel Publications (ISSN 0068-3345)
https://www.bps.lk/library_wheels.php
https://www.bps.lk/olib/wh/_whindex.html
Wheel 82 The Discourse Collection: Selected Texts from the Suttanipata
Translated by John D. Ireland
https://www.bps.lk/olib/wh/wh082_Ireland_Selected-Suttanipata-Texts.html
https://www.bps.lk/olib/wh/wh082_Ireland_Selected-Suttanipata-Texts.html#Dhammika
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/ireland/wheel082.html

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Theravada