Chiyang Daoren, Eastern Taoism
The Five Precepts of Taoism, known as the “Five Precepts of Lord Lao,” are precepts said to have been expounded by Lord Lao the Most High (Taishang Laojun).
The first precept is against killing, the second against stealing, the third against sexual misconduct, the fourth against false speech, and the fifth against alcohol.
Taoist rules stipulate that register-holding disciples, after receiving the Three Precepts, then receive the Five Precepts; the Five Precepts together with the Three Precepts make the Eight Precepts.
In heaven, the Five Precepts are the five planets: when the way of heaven fails the precepts, calamities and strange portents appear. On earth they are the Five Peaks: when the way of earth fails the precepts, the hundred grains do not ripen.
In number they are the Five Phases: when the five numbers fail the precepts, water and fire clash and metal and wood harm each other. In government they are the Five Emperors: when the Five Emperors fail the precepts, their reigns are cut short and they perish.
In the human being they are the five zang organs: when the five organs fail the precepts, one’s nature is driven to madness. If even one of the Five Precepts is lost, life cannot be fulfilled.
The Precepts Scripture of Lord Lao the Most High (Taishang Laojun Jiejing) says: “These Five Precepts are the foundation for upholding oneself and the root for upholding the teaching. Good men and good women who delight in the good teaching, receive them, and keep them all their lives without transgression are called disciples of pure faith.” These, then, are the precepts received by disciples of pure faith.