Precepts

Precepts of the Amida-shu and Amida Order

Buddhism offers ethical guidance in the form of precepts. Members of Amida-shu are enjoined to live ethical lives, but, in recognition of human nature and the diversity of life circumstances of people living regular lives in society, only a minority of lay people in this school formally commit to the keeping of specific precepts. It is better to do one's best to live an ethical life than to commit to specific rules and then find for various reasons that one is not fulfilling one's commitment. Those who do wish to take the five lay precepts or the ten Mahayana precepts may discuss the matter with a member of the Order.

Ordained members of the Order live according to a religious rule. In the case of Ministers and Chaplains this currently includes 156 precepts and for Amitaryas and Novices, a further 82, making 238 in all. These precepts do not follow the traditional vinaya. They are designed to regulate the life of a mobile, socially engaged sangha living in the contemporary world yet grounded in faith and devotional practice.

Follow these links to see

A schematic index of the precepts

A full list of the 238 Precept Rule

Details of Ordination Pathways