Sila are of two kinds-panchashila (five exercises) and astashila (eight exercises).

Panchasila are the five moral tenets in Buddhism that Buddhadev introduced to build up the moral character of both people with families as well as ascetics. The five exercises prohibit the killing of animals, theft, adultery, telling lies and taking addictive drugs. It is an offence to commit these things or make other people commit them. But these exercises are independent of one another; a fault in one does not affect the others; one rather influences the other. According to Buddhist regulations, if any one of these principles is violated, the practitioner of a sila will be judged on the basis of his sins and virtues Astasila are the eight rituals to be observed by Buddhists on festivities associated with the full moon, the new moon etc. These involve staying away from killing animals, stealing, adultery, telling lies, consuming liquor and drugs, taking afternoon meals, visiting musical programmes, beautification with wreaths or perfumed objects, and lying on high beds.1

Banglapedia, Shila