Eight Precepts

noun

Eight rules that are observed by lay Buddhists on observance days and festivals: to abstain from (i) taking life, (ii) taking what is not given, (iii) unchastity, (iv) false speech, (v) intoxicants which cause a careless frame of mind, (vi) taking food at the wrong time, (vii) dancing, music, visiting shows, flowers, make-up, the wearing of ornaments and decorations, and (viii) a tall, high sleeping place.

Meanings

nounEight Precepts pl (plural only)
  1. pluralplural onlyBuddhismEight rules that are observed by lay Buddhists on observance days and festivals: to abstain from (i) taking life, (ii) taking what is not given, (iii) unchastity, (iv) false speech, (v) intoxicants which cause a careless frame of mind, (vi) taking food at the wrong time, (vii) dancing, music, visiting shows, flowers, make-up, the wearing of ornaments and decorations, and (viii) a tall, high sleeping place.

Origin

  1. Sanskritअष्टा-सील
  2. Paliaṭṭha-sīla
  3. EnglishEight Precepts

Calque of Pali aṭṭha-sīla, aṭṭhaṅga-sīla or Calque of Sanskrit अष्टा-सील (aṣṭā-sīla), अष्टाण्ग-शील (aṣṭāṇga-śīla).

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 八關齋 /八关斋, 八關齋戒 /八关斋戒
  • 八關齋 /八关斋Eight Precepts
  • 八關齋戒 /八关斋戒Eight Precepts
Japanese 八斎戒
  • 八斎戒Eight Precepts
Thai ศีลแปด
  • ศีลแปดEight Precepts
Cite this entry
APA

Eight Precepts. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Eight%20Precepts

MLA

“Eight Precepts.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Eight%20Precepts. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Eight Precepts,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Eight%20Precepts.

Source: Eight Precepts on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.