Five Precepts
From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia
Hindus today submit to the Panchavrata or five major vows or commandments:
- Ahiṅsa - non-injury
- Brahmacharya - non-fornication (celibacy)
- Asteya - non-stealing
- Satya - non-lying
- Aparigraha - non-possessiveness
The following excerpt from the Ṛgveda[1][2] sums up the Panchavrata:
- "Violence, womanizing, drinking liquor, gambling, stealing, falsehood or lying and association with those who commit these sins; one who commits any of these sins is a sinner."