There are, of course, Five Precepts (panca sila). But implied in those pre-cepts, and originally taken for granted, are five counterpart aspects: in short, "post-cepts."- Give life: encourage it even in word and thought, advocating for anyone in need, sheltering others from harm, lending help, practicing kindness and mercy (ahimsa), sparing others
- Give gifts: practice non-clinging, generosity (dana), magnanimity, beneficence, letting go of those things which should be let go of, known in Raja Yoga as aparigraha (non-grasping, non-possessiveness)
- Give love: compassion in action, concern with the other and oneself, respect, ethical conduct, "su to the du" [su- is an intensification of the good as in susila and sukha; du- is a degradation as in Mara Dusi ("Corrupter," MN 50) and dukkha].
- Give truth: speak the truth, proclaim it, stand up for it, spread it, not only personal honesty which is an ethical act but also Dharma-dana (the Gift of the Dharma, which is said to be the highest gift inasmuch as it encourages all other good).
- Give up intoxicants: practice clarity, sobriety, and sanity; in other words feed the body and brain what nourishes it, avoiding toxins, poisons, fermentation, corrupted and corrupting products; eat sattvic food.
Coining the term "postcept" is simply to emphasize what is already distinguished in the texts. The distinction is between twin aspects of virtue (silani).
- carita-sila: to make, character building
- barita-sila: to avoid, character destroying
Whereas the former encourages the karmically profitable, the latter discourages the harmful.
The Five Precepts, like the later (subsequently formulated limbs of Raja Yoga attributed to Patanjali) Yamas, are stated as restraints. Rather than "give," it is "do not take."
- Do not take life
- Do not take what is not given
- Do not take liberties with regard to sex
- Do not take liberties with the truth
- Do not take intoxicants.
(See "Five Precepts: highest, lowest"). Here as Post-cepts, these five are stated as imperatives and amazing opportunities for merit.
