Eight precepts
These are the basic five precepts that all Buddhists should observe (the first five of the eight) plus three precepts lay Buddhists should observe on uposatha days or retreats.
They are (1) not killing;
(2) not stealing;
(3) not engaging in prohibited sexual activity;
(4) not engaging in wrong speech;
(5) not drinking, serving, or dealing in intoxicants or taking substances that befuddle or numb the mind;
(6) not eating after noon;
(7) avoiding music, dance, plays, and other entertainment; and
(8) not using perfumes or ornamental jewelry.
eight precepts (aṣṭa-śīla, 八關齋戒). Besides the five precepts, which are observed for life at all times, lay Buddhists may accept the eight precepts. They should observe them regularly each lunar month on the six purification days.
The eight precepts are
(1) no killing;
(2) no stealing;
(3) no sex;
(4) no lying;
(5) no drinking alcohol;
(6) no wearing perfumes or adornments, and no singing, dancing, or watching song-dance entertainments;
(7) no sleeping on a luxurious bed; and
(8) no eating after lunch, until morning. Note that the third of the eight precepts is no sex whereas the third of the five precepts is no sexual misconduct.
Observing these eight prohibitions (關) for 24 hours at a time, one abstains (齋) not only from sins prohibited by the five precepts but also from sensory gratification.
