Item 1 in Ten Major Bodhisattva Precepts
Do not kill
Do not kill, cause killing or approve intentional destruction of life.
- Position
- 1
- Form
- Mixed formulation
- Obligation
- Context-dependent
- Wording status
- Translation
- Intended audience
- Practitioners formally undertaking this East Asian Mahāyāna precept lineage
- Last reviewed
- 28 June 2027
Names and terminology
Canonical name: First grave precept
Original term: First grave precept
Transliteration: First grave precept
Source wording
<p>Do not kill, cause killing or approve intentional destruction of life.</p><p><em>Editorial paraphrase; consult the linked source for full wording and context.</em></p>
Literal meaning
Do not kill, cause killing or approve intentional destruction of life.
Broader interpretation
Do not kill, cause killing or approve intentional destruction of life.
Historical context
This principle belongs to Ten Major Bodhisattva Precepts and must be read within that framework's setting.
Practical meaning
Do not kill, cause killing or approve intentional destruction of life.
Ethical purpose
Do not kill, cause killing or approve intentional destruction of life.
Exceptions and disputes
Ancient institutional wording requires careful modern interpretation, especially where safeguarding, criticism and individual rights are involved.
Variations across schools or traditions
Other Mahāyāna texts transmit different bodhisattva-precept systems; this page concerns the Brahmā's Net ten grave precepts.
Modern application
Do not kill, cause killing or approve intentional destruction of life. Modern application should consider consent, evidence, proportionality, power and consequences.
Criticism and difficult cases
Ancient institutional wording requires careful modern interpretation, especially where safeguarding, criticism and individual rights are involved.
Truth By Reason analysis
Do not kill, cause killing or approve intentional destruction of life. Application should preserve the ethical purpose while avoiding coercion, discrimination and preventable harm.
Ethical themes
Sources
- The Brahmā's Net Sutra Primary source