Page "Ahimsa" Paragraph 4

Since the beginnings of the Buddhist community, monks and nuns have had to commit themselves to Five Precepts of moral conduct.

In ancient Buddhism, lay persons were encouraged, but not obliged, to commit themselves to observe the Five Precepts of morality ().

In both codes the first rule is to abstain from taking the life of a sentient being ().

Buddhist monks should avoid cutting or burning trees, because some sentient beings rely on them.