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The five cardinal offenses within Buddhism are: 1-Intentionally murdering one’s father, 2-Intentionally murdering one’s mother, 3-Killing an Arhat or Bodhisattva (any fully enlightened being), 4-Shedding the blood of a Buddha, or 5- Creating a schism within the Sangha, the community of Buddhist monks and nuns and lay persons who try to attain enlightenment. The four grave offenses are those that would cause a monk or nun to be expelled from their sangha and include killing another human being, having sexual intercourse, stealing, and lying about their spiritual attainments and experiences or insights.
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