eight abstinences　八戒斎 The eight precepts which a lay Buddhist should observe on fixed days of a month: 1) not killing, 2) not stealing, 3) not having sexual intercourse even with one’s spouse, 4) not telling lies, 5) not drinking, 6) not wearing bodily decoration, not using perfumes, not singing and dancing, and not going to see dances or plays, 7) not sleeping in a raised bed, and 8) not eating after noon.