[Anydayhybeall]

dear forum

the 1st precept, in Pali, is: pāṇātipātā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi

'pāṇa' = breath, as in the term 'anapanasati'

other Pali teachings specifically about the 1st precept include:

Idha, gahapatayo, ekacco pāṇātipātī hoti, luddo [luddo dāruṇo (ka.) ṭīkā oloketabbā] lohitapāṇi hatappahate niviṭṭho adayāpanno pāṇabhūtesu [sabbapāṇabhūtesu (syā. kaṃ. ka.)].

Here someone is a killer of living beings: he is murderous, bloody-handed, given to blows and violence, and merciless to all living beings.

Majjhima Nikaya 41 sabbapāṇabhūtesu = all breathing (living) beings

the words "satta" (persons) or "manussa" (human beings) are not used here

so is the 1st precept about not killing human beings, only?

or is it about not killing any beings whenever possible?

do we have any other references to clarify this topic?

thanks