precepts

Five Commandments

|> Similar to Christianity, Buddhism has its own Commandments: 

in Buddhism they are not commandments.  sometimes vows, sometimes dangers

|> 1) Never kill

only kill to eat when necessary, cause as little pain as possible

|> 2) Never steal

understand that people attach themselves to objects;
 control as little as possible and respect another's person

|> 3) Never commit adultery

engage in intimacy sincerely and without deceit

|> 4) Never lie

be as honest as you can be, though retain your compassion

|> 5) Never consume alcoholic beverages

be responsible for your behaviors, especially intoxications and illnesses

|These are a subset of the monastic vows which monks must take.  

perhaps organized or 'traditional' monks take these vows.  not all do

|5. Do not slander

speak well of others if at all

|6. Do not swear

understand that some people attach great import to expression
 and may become upset with certain phrases or words
 which they consider 'vulgar'

|7. Do not gossip

be aware of the value of your expressions, making each of great import

|8. Do not covet

attempt to break attachments beginning with the things over which you
 may have some control

those things which you find most desireable give them away.
 counter your feelings in all things
 (if repulsed, draw it near to you).
 in this way you shall walk the Middle Path

|9. Do not hate

give respectful form and expression to your true feelings.
 work through these without holding to them,
 with the person you have conflict if possible.

keep in mind the other aspects of practice
 so as to provide a ballast for your emotion

|10. Do not cling to false doctrine

when you know a teaching to be false, depart from it,
 asserting its opposite when possible.

understand that what is true or false for you
 may be the opposite for another person.