by Ven. Preah Sumedhavong Oung Mean Candavano

( Cambodian Buddhist Temple in Silver Spring, Maryland )

The terms " Dhamma and Vinaya " are commonly used in Buddhism. These words are generally heard from the Monk's lecture or by reading Buddhist texts. Dhamma originally means that which holds man from going down into woe-states. Vinaya originally means that which controls the body and speech. The importance of the Dhamma is to control the mind, that is, the Samadhi or Concentration which makes the mind calm and tranquil, and the Vinaya is to control the body and speech.

There are two kinds of Vinaya: Agariya Vinaya and Anagariya Vinaya. Agariya Vinaya is the rule for the householder, lay-man and lay-woman. Anagariya Vinaya is the rule for the Biddhist Monk.

Agariya Vinaya means the Five Precepts (PancaSila) and the Tenfold Path of Action (Dasa Kammapatha).

The Five Precepts are:

Panatipata Veramani Sikkhapadam Samadiyami. ( I undertake the rule of training to refrain from injury to living things)

Adinnadana Veramani Sikkhapadam Samadiyami. ( I undertake the rule of training to refrain from taking that which is not given ).

Kamesu Micchacara Veramani Sikkhapadam Samadiyami. ( I undertake the rule of training to refrain from excessive sensuality ).

Musavada Veramani Sikkhapadam Samadiyami. ( I undertake the rule of training to refraim from false amd harmful sppeech ).

Sura-Meraya-Majjap-Pamadatthan Veramani Sikkhapadam Samadiyami. ( I undertake the rule of training to refraim from drinks and drugs which cloud the mind ).

The Tenfold Path of action, in this case means only the Tenfold Wholesome Path of action. They are: Threefold Wholesome Path of Bodily Action, Fourfold Wholesome Path of Verbal Action and Threefold Wholesome Path of Mental Action.

Threefold Wholesome Path of Action:

1- Panatipata Veramani. ( To refrain from injury to living things ).

2- Adinnadan Veramani. ( To refrain from taking that which is not given ).

3- Kamesu Micchacara Veramani. ( Torefrain from excessive sensuality ).

Fourfold Wholesome Path of Verbak Action:

1- Musavada Veramani. ( To refrain from false and harmful speech ).

2-

To Be Continued...............