About 95% of Thai citizens are Buddhists. Buddhism began there with the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama who lived in India about 2,500 years ago, consistent with the life of Buddha who taught from experience that happiness does not come from luxury or hardship; he taught people to follow a Middle Path to overcome greed and desire and the unhappiness they caused and instead to lead wiser, more caring lives. Buddha is not worshipped as a God, but as a human being who gained enlightenment, and Buddhists try to follow his good example. They make five promises called Precepts:
1. Not to harm or kill any living things
2. Not to steal or take anything that is not freely given
3. To control sexual desire
4. Not to tell lies
5. Not to drink or take drugs
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