You don’t have to be Buddhist to follow the five precepts, which could help with depression.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE suggests that individuals who observe the five precepts of Buddhism may exhibit greater stress resilience and a lower risk of depression. The five precepts, an ethical guide aimed at eliminating suffering and facilitating enlightenment, may encourage a sense of inner tranquility and composure, resulting in positive mental health outcomes.
Earlier research has indicated that following the five precepts, which entail refraining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and using intoxicants, can enhance the well-being and overall quality of life for both Buddhists and non-Buddhists. However, it remained uncertain whether these moral guidelines could also alleviate depressive symptoms for those at an increased risk.
To address this question, Nahathai Wongpakaran and colleagues at Chiang Mai University in Thailand, looked at known links between neuroticism, stress, and depression. Earlier research has revealed that a higher level of neuroticism – a personality trait characterized by various negative emotions like anxiety, anger, and irritability – is linked with an elevated risk of depression, especially during times of stress.
“A clinically significant depressive symptom is usually attributable to an interaction of the trait of neuroticism with a life stressor,” they explained.
On the other hand, the researchers expound that the five precepts of Buddhism have been associated with advancements in valuable traits such as “resilience, self-efficacy, [and] equanimity.” These qualities may serve as a protective mechanism against psychological distress. Hence, the researchers endeavored to investigate the impact of following these ethical guidelines on the relationship between neuroticism, stress, and depression.
Between the end of 2019 and September 2022, the researchers administered an online survey to 644 Thai adults. The survey consisted of series of questionnaires, including the Neuroticism Inventory, the Perceived Stress Scale, the Depression Subscale and the Five-Precept Subscale of the Inner Strength-based Inventory, to assess each participant’s perceived stress, neuroticism, and depressive symptoms, as well as their adherence to the five precepts of Buddhism.
The findings demonstrated that although adhering to the five precepts of Buddhism did not directly impact the association between neuroticism and depression, it significantly decreased the chances of developing depressive symptoms in response to perceived stress. For examples, for those respondents with low levels of adherence to the precepts, each point increase on the perceived stress scale corresponded to a 0.273 point increase on the depression scale. In contrast, those with a high degree of adherence had their depression scores rise by just 0.157 points for every unit increase on the stress scale.
“Observing the Five Precepts offers evidence that it buffers the effect of perceived stress on depression,” the study authors write, adding that “people with high levels of observing the Five Precepts are less likely to develop depressive symptoms.”
Although the research team did not specifically aim to determine the cause-effect association behind this evident impact, they hypothesize that “the mechanism of change of observing the Five Precepts may be similar to equanimity. It might be involved in rendering a calming state of mind and living, and gaining more self-awareness, which would reduce the feeling of stress one is experiencing.”
Additionally, even though 93% of the respondents identified themselves as Buddhist, the researchers suggest that religious beliefs may not be essential for experiencing the advantages of the five precepts. In the same vein that meditation has been redefined as “mindfulness” to eliminate its enigmatic nature, the authors maintain that the five precepts of Buddhism can be portrayed as a set of conduct rather than a religious belief, making the practice more inclusive for non-Buddhists.
To conclude, it is worth noting that although adhering to the precepts may seem simple, the commitment to refrain from intentionally taking a life pertains to all living creatures. And, contrary to generally accepted definitions in animal welfare and agricultural ethics, this also includes insects! After all, they also have a purpose in this life and deserve to live.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4