I have more questions, as usual...
http://www.buddhanet.net/imol/retreat/appendix01.htmATTHAGA SILA (The Eight Precepts)
1) PÀNÀTIPÀTÀ - VERAMANI SIKKHAPADAM SAMADIYAMI
I undertake to abstain from harming or taking life.
2) ADINNÀDÀNÀ - VERAMANI SIKKHAPADAM SAMADIYAMI
I undertake to abstain from taking what is not given.
3) ABRAHMACARIYÀ - VERAMANI SIKKHAPADAM SAMADIYAMI
I undertake to abstain from any from sexual contact.
4) MUSÀVÀDÀ - VERAMANI SIKKHAPADAM SAMADIYAMI
I undertake to abstain from false speech.
5) SURA - MERAYA – MAJJA - PAMÀDATTHANA - VERAMANI SIKKHAPADAM SAMADIYAMI
I undertake to abstain from the use of intoxicants, i.e. drugs and alcohol.
6) VIKÀLA - BHOJANÀ - VERAMANI SIKKHAPADAM SAMADIYAMI
I undertake to abstain from eating after the mid-day meal.
7) NACCA - GITA - VÀDITA - VISUKADASSANÀ - MÀLAGANDHA - VILEPANA - DHÀRANA - MANDANA - VIBHUSANATTHÀNÀ - VERAMANI SIKKHAPADAM SAMADIYAMI
I undertake to abstain from dancing, singing, music and watching entertainments, and from using enticing beauty aids, i.e. perfume, etc.
8) UCCASAYANA – MAHASAYANA - VERAMANI SIKKHAPADAM SAMADIYAMI
I undertake to abstain from indulging in high and luxurious seats and beds.
The first 5 precepts I understand.
As for the 6th precept - What exactly constitutes food, where do we draw the line? I assume water is okay but what about soup, milk, soy milk, fruit juice or tea?
The 7th precept I understand to mean nothing to distract you from your practice (such as TV, films, games, etc.), is this correct? As for the beauty aids and perfume - no problem.
Does the 8th precept mean I should sleep on the carpet, or is a thin foam mattress okay? Also are things like pillows and doonas okay or not?
Sorry if any of my questions are dumb or have already been answered before, it's just that last time I tried to practice the 8 precepts I wasn't exactly sure what was and wasn't allowed.
Thanks,
Guy