In reading these and thinking about them...

I think you need no more these...

at least "I" would not need more.

But, I feel there are many people who need everything spelled out - which is the reason for all of the laws made by man on every continent of earth.

Once you subtract out the purely religious ones, what you have are very similar. It's just the way that they're expressed that makes the count look different. The precepts have more stuff per line. For example:

1. I am the Lord your God (no Buddhist analog). You shall have no other gods before me (ditto). You shall not make for yourself an idol (ditto)

2. You shall not make wrongful use of the name of your God (ditto)

3. Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy (ditto)

4. Honor your father and mother. (This is actually an "unspoken" precept in Buddhist culture, so they're getting a freebie here by not including it.)

5. You shall not kill (see precept 1).

6. You shall not commit adultery (parts of 3, 4, and 5)

7. You shall not steal (see precept 2).

8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor (see precept 4).

9. You shall not covet your neighbor's house (oops, they missed this)

10. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife (see 3).

There's nothing to match precept 5, because of course to us, the body and mind are irrelevant and only the spirit matters (supposedly, anyway).

So my answer to your Japanese companion would be "why do your precepts ramble on so much?"

If there was one precept that said "Be wise" would that not cover it all? On the other hand, there are hundreds or thousands of Buddhist rules of conduct, from what I understand. So, doesn't the number of rules / precepts / commandments just match the level of detail one is asking for, and doesn't the level of detail offered depend on how much guidance the person needs?

Perhaps it would Dave. But as I am sure you know, "wisdom," like "love," "quality," "caring," and others, is one of those concepts we all understand but for which we may have very different meanings or interpretations. "Precepts" or "Commandments" are usually oriented toward specific dos or don'ts of behavior ... often having nothing to do with what one is asking for, but what they "ought" to do. "Ought" one "be wise?" If so, what is it?

I don't think we are disagreeing. But what I am saying is that if someone is inherently full of good understanding then saying "Be wise" may be good enough to open their eyes and saying much more could be counter-productive. Someone else may need more specifics, as with the five precepts. But there are apparently also many detailed rules used in the old Sangha, such as how to go to the bathroom and more. I read that some of the followers back then were really ignorant or crude, and needed very detailed guidance to head into a better path.

So the number of precepts or rules could vary and depend on the audience. DannyO also made a good point, that there is a set of religious statements in the Judeo-Christian heritage and the Ten Commandments which (fortunately) Buddhism can omit. I also like that the Buddhist principles are NOT commandments but are principles or guidelines.

Oh ... no disagreement. Just sharing thoughts. Precepts certainly have a different thrust than Commandments. I am personally more comfortable with moral guides that are consistent with an "internal locus of control" for moral behavior than I am for those that come from a required "external locus of control." Wisdom is a worthy goal ... something like Polaris that might suggest a direction toward which one directs ones course ... the achievement of which may or may not be achieved ...

Both your and Danny's comments are constructive and helpful. Thank you.