Threefold Purification of the Precepts (Sīla) #1: Not Killing (Protecting Life) — Veḷudvāreyya Sutta (SN 55.7)
2. Pāṇātipāta — Abstaining from Taking Life 2.1 Idha, gahapatayo, ariyasāvako iti paṭisañcikkhati: Here, householders, a noble disciple reflects in this way: The Buddha introduces a process of wise reflection ( paṭisañcikkhati ) . The ethical principle is not presented merely as a rule, but as something understood through careful consideration. 2.2 ‘Ahaṃ khosmi jīvitukāmo amaritukāmo sukhakāmo dukkhappaṭikūlo. Indeed, I desire to live, I do not desire to die, I desire happiness, and I am averse to dukkha . The noble disciple begins with a recognition of his or her own fundamental experience: life is valued, death is unwanted, happiness is desired, and dukkha is rejected . 2.3 Yo kho maṃ jīvitukāmaṃ amaritukāmaṃ sukhakāmaṃ dukkhappaṭikūlaṃ jīvitā voropeyya, na metaṃ assa piyaṃ manāpaṃ. If someone were to deprive me of life—me who wish to live, who do not wish to die, who desir...