Wherever we turn to in this wide world, we incessantly see and hear of fraud, conflict, thuggery, blatant brutality and beastly murder taking place in increasing numbers and spreading all over in turbulent waves. However, in our country, we see and hear everywhere at meetings, gatherings and numerous assemblies, religious preachers or eminent persons exhorting people to traverse the path of good conduct. Such gatherings invariably commence their proceedings with the observance of religious precepts. Those assembled, from the highest to the humblest, intone and repeat the five Buddhist precepts, understanding full well their significance. They solemnly undertake to refrain from the five evils

(1)     killing in any form

(2) thieving or misappropriating what is not theirs

(3) indulging in sexual misconduct

(4) uttering lies and untruths

(5) consumption of intoxicants.

But very few of them make the slightest effort or show any attempt to practise and live up to the oft repeated precepts.

Our temples, kovils and churches get filled with devotees on religious occasions–but behold what is happening right opposite such places of worship? There is a high incidence of assault, battery, theft, sexual offences, murder etc. taking place every moment. Our religious preachers–persons of the robe and cassock–should take the lead role to be true to their faith and religious beliefs by practising what they preach. It is their responsibility to lead exemplary lives and visibly exemplify correct and right conduct consonant with their religious teachings. It is only then that laymen would follow suit.

If those who undertake to observe the five precepts–the Panchaseela, make an earnest and determined effort to live up to what they solemnly promise, all this turbulence and bloodshed would recede to the very minimum, affording peace and contentment to prevail provided of course the extant socio economic conditions are made conducive to wholesome life-styles.