The Ten Pillars of Buddhism

by Sangharakshita

"A handy and easily-readable introduction to Buddhist ethics"—Damien Keown, Buddhist Studies Review

In a world marked by rapid changes, shifting lifestyles and values, how can we be sure that we are making the best choices for ourselves, others and the world? This small book explores ten basic Buddhist ethical principles and the liberating view of ourselves contained within them. Buddhist ethics are not a list of laws imposed from outside, but guiding principles we can apply to everyday situations. Emphasising personal responsibility and choice, not blind obedience, the Buddhist path of ethics leads us into a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us. To apply them is to put to the test the promise of the that by our own efforts we can transform our actions, emotions and thoughts to allow our compassion and wisdom to shine through all that we do.

Genres: Buddhism, Nonfiction

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Sangharakshita was born Dennis Lingwood in South London, in 1925. Largely self-educated, he developed an interest in the cultures and philosophies of the East early on, and realized that he was a Buddhist at the age of sixteen.

The Second World War took him, as a conscript, to India, where he stayed on to become the Buddhist monk Sangharakshita. After studying for some years under leading teachers from the major Buddhist traditions, he went on to teach and write extensively. He also played a key part in the revival of Buddhism in India, particularly through his work among followers of Dr B.R. Ambedkar.

After twenty years in the East, he returned to England to establish the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order in 1967, and the Western Buddhist Order in 1968 (now known as the Triratna Buddhist Community and the Triratna Buddhist Order respectively).

Sangharakshita has always particularly emphasized the decisive significance of commitment in the spiritual life, the paramount value of spiritual friendship and community, the link between religion and art, and the need for a ‘new society’ supportive of spiritual aspirations and ideas.

In recent years Sangharakshita has been handing on most of his responsibilities to his senior disciples in the Order. Based at the Adhisthana retreat centre in Herefordshire UK, he is now focusing on personal contact with people. For more, go to www.sangharakshita.org.

A collection of 27 volumes will represent the definitive edition of his life’s work as a Buddhist writer and teacher. Find out more about The Complete Works of Sangharakshita

A series of talks by Sangharakshita: ‘Launch of The Essential Sangharakshita and Living Ethically’.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A useful guide to the precepts, and a book I shall revisit in the future.

[Kevin Mullaney · Rating 3 out of 5]

A useful and practical book that will appeal to those practicing within the Triratna Buddhist Movement. Essential reading but not Sangharakshita's most poetic work.

[Andrea M. Melgar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sin duda una joya de filosofía budista aplicada a la vida moderna. Es importante mencionar que no es un libro para principiantes, es más para aquellos que ya tienen una buena base del budismo y están familiarizados ya con muchos conceptos, palabras, y referencias. También me gusta el hecho de las citas al final, así como el índice de temas.

Cuando uno dice "no matarás" uno solo piensa en la acción "matar" tal cual, literalmente. Sin embargo, el análisis de este pilar junto con los demás, nos indica que el principio de la no violencia va más allá. También me gusta mucho que analiza el lado negativo es decir la "no violencia" y el lado positivo o la contra parte positiva "el amor". Ya que nos da dos puntos de vista complementarios. Y lo hace para cada uno de los 10 principios.

Por último, es muy poético que use metáforas para los ejemplos así como para asignarle una joya o metal precioso a cada uno de los principios, eso es un extra que me encanta.

Lo recomiendo para aquellos que ya han tenido un acercamiento al budismo, que ya saben un poco de historia y discursos de Gautama Buda. Esta lectura podrá hacerlos comprender, no el budismo monástico casi imposible de llevar en la vida cotidiana, sino el budismo desde el día a día de una persona común.

[Harry · Rating 4 out of 5]

There goes the five star streak.

And it's not that The Ten Pillars of Buddhism is a bad novel - it explains what it sets out to explain, and I guess explains them well - but it's not a lot more than that.

The eponymous "Ten Pillars" are actually just the 5 Precepts, with the 4th Precept (Don't make harsh speech, false speech, gossip or slander) being extended into the last 7 precepts, with the 5th Precept (Don't drink alcohol or intoxicants of the mind) nowhere to be found.

I don't want to get precept picky, but I think I prefer the 5 Precepts how they are. Precept numero cuatro is just as fine as one, and the seven that they're turned are all very similar. Precept no.5's absence is a bit odd, but I guess there are those funky zen Buddhists who like to drink.

I understand these are the Precepts accepted by any member of (or Friend of) the Western Buddhist Order. But a quick Google search revealed that Sangharakshita got slapped with a bunch of allegations following his death in 2018. It seems like these eastern philosophy gurus always make some bad decisions whilst they're alive. First the guy who founded Yogi Tea. Then the guy who started Satya Incense. Now this feller?

But those points aside, it's a nice examination of all of the Precepts, whether you accept 10 or 5. There's enough overlap to make the read enjoyable (though, really, that anti-abortion comment in the part about not taking life left a sour taste in my mouth...)

[Penny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a few problems with this book, and not only with the wordy way of writing and the over use of Metaphor. This is the first book I have read on Buddhist ethics that has left me more confused about what is being aimed at and why (for me) it would be important to do that? I found the section on gender issues a real challenge and I don't argue with separating people based on assigned gender role/terms. I found the sections on speech precepts a challenge because I felt it expected the impossible (for example that we could know if we were taking of someones time and energy when they weren't willing to give). The section on the tenth precept was almost incoherent in it's contradictions. That being said I can't say I didn't enjoy the book and it wasn't thought provoking because it definate was.

[Gemma Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and pithy introduction to the ten precepts of the FWBO. The third is especially interesting, as is the section at the beginning locating the canonical sources for the precepts. Very helpful and thought provoking.

[Su · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muy bueno: cortito, claro y directo, con ejemplos cotidianos (vamos, que no habla de la metafísica de los filostros... lo cual no es que lo haga más fácil si se decide abrazar, pero al menos sí lo deja claro).

[Robin Schoehuijs · Rating 2 out of 5]

Moeilijk leesbaar door de constante herhaling van regels van de Westerse Boeddhistische Orde in plaats van het boeddhisme zelf.
Wel verhelderend door het inzichtelijk maken van hoe moeilijk woorden te vertalen kunnen zijn

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very clear outline of the ethical precepts a Buddhist may aspire to live by. Essential reading.