These rules are a prime example of balance. Take for example, not misusing drink and drugs.

Its not "THOU SHALT NOT USE DRINKS OR DRUGS", its do not misuse them. Lets talk tobacco... I smoke tobacco every once in a while. There are those that are addicted to tobacco, which will have a detrimental effect on their wellbeing and the wellbeing of others, this is one extreme. On the other end you have the people who will avoid tobacco at ALL costs and are strongly against it. They are constantly tight, on edge, wary of whether people around them are smoking, judging people who smoke... Its not good either. By abiding by this precept, you are maintaining the balance. (This is not to say that smoking in moderation is a requirement, many buddhists choose not to smoke but arent uptight about it or judgemental)

3. I take up the way of not misusing sex. Sexual intercourse is misused when it is an addiction rather than the peak experience of love between a committed couple. All the Precepts point to addictive behaviour, stealing, lying, using alcohol or drugs, slandering, even killing. Addiction reveals a lack of confidence, a need for something from others, the interdependence of all things inverted for just one being. It is no good condemning promiscuity as immoral behaviour, for it is only a symptom of general immaturity. Like anybody else, the addict needs guidance to find a way to forget the self.

In following these Precepts you are keeping an internal balance. This is not about being good or bad, its merely about non-attachment. It is perfectly ordinary for Buddhist masters (that have not taken corresponding vows) to drink, smoke, insult, hit their students etc... These "rules" are not even rules, they are flexible and open to interpretation depending on the situation. It is advised, however, that people with limited understanding, such as myself, follow these Precepts. My judgment would be too clouded, my perspective too narrow to decide for example if it would be necessary to hit someone, lie, kill, or steal.

Do you realise that almost everyone is attempting to defy the balance? They say they want to live a happy life, they dont want to suffer, they desperately chase things that give them joy, entertainment or pleasure, and desperately attempt to escape things that bring them pain and suffering. They only want to be doing things that they like, they dread not doing anything and consider it boring, they detest doing things they dislike and attempt to avoid those things. This is only wanting yin, and not realising that yin and yang are one, thus any good will come with bad. It is impossible to live a "good" life, which is what so many people desperately try to do.

In the end, when you have developed a true understanding, you will end up following these precepts anyway, except when it is truly necessary for them to be broken. And I havent read or heard it anywhere, but in my opinion they would only break these precepts in a situation where it would not cause suffering, or where the suffering it causes would in the end be a blessing.

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