What does "precept" mean in Buddhism?

 　

    Buddhists must abide by the "precepts", and Buddhists of different identities have different precepts. What exactly is "precept"? Let's discuss it now.

　

    More than 2,000 years ago, after the Buddha became enlightened, he began to preach the scriptures and establish a sangha. At first, he did not formulate the precepts; but as the sangha became larger and larger, there were more and more Buddhist disciples; for regulating the disciples’ behavior to make the Dharma can continue stably, so the Buddha began to formulate the precepts. The "precepts" used in modern Buddhism were not formulated at one time. Some of them were formulated after the Buddha's disciples committed inappropriate behavior; the Buddha announces that such behaviors should not be done in the future. These are the origins of "precepts" in Buddhism. From this, it can be seen that the function of "precepts" is to prevent the occurrence of "inappropriate behaviors", because these behaviors will hinder the practice of Buddhist disciples, therefore the Buddha asked Buddhist disciples not to have these behaviors.

　

    Keeping the precepts can not only prevent wrong behaviors, but also make our minds pure. When our minds are pure, we can generate "concentration", which makes it easy for practitioners to enter meditation, and then further obtain "wisdom"; so there is a theory of “Precept, Meditation, and Wisdom". During the “Proper Dharma period” of Buddhism, even as long as you follow the precepts and practice, you can achieve relief and attain saint fruit; because at that time, people were pure and honest, and they could keep the precepts very thoroughly. This also allows us to understand the importance of “precepts” in the process of Buddhist practice.

　

    The "precepts" of Chinese Buddhism can be roughly divided into: "five precepts" for lay people, "eight precepts", "ten precepts" for novice monks and nuns, monks' precepts (two hundred and fifty), and nuns' precepts (three hundred and fifty), Bodhisattva Precepts (ten seriousness and forty light). After more than 2,000 years of dissemination and the interpretation and classification of different scriptures, although the most important precepts have not changed much, many precepts have diverged. The scriptures that record the precepts are: the Four-categories Precept, the Mahayana Brahma’s Net Sutra, and the Bodhisattva-bhūmi sutra. In today's Theravada Buddhism, the precepts are to follow the "Pali Vinaya-Pitaka". Tibetan Buddhism also has its own precepts. In addition, those who practice vajrayāna must abide by the "samaya precepts".

　

    The most basic "precepts" are the "five precepts", which must be followed no matter by lay people or monks / nuns. The old monk Xu Yun once said: "If the basic five precepts can be kept thoroughly, the other branches of precepts will be easy to keep." Before Buddhist disciples follow the precepts, they must first "receive precepts", that is, accepting the precepts, through ceremony, from the monks who have already received the precepts, which is equivalent to declaring that one has accepted the precepts and is willing to keep those precepts. Through this kind of motivation, it can enhance the determination of Buddhist disciples to keep precepts. When a person who has received Precepts violates the precept, he will get bad retribution, and it will be more serious than a person who has not received Precepts, especially those who violate precepts knowingly and intentionally.

　

    Then, is there any remedy for "violating the precepts"? Yes, if it is a minor offense, one can express repentance to a monk, —— by telling others about one's own sinful behavior to repent, so that he have a chance to correct it; if it is a serious offense, in addition to the possibility of being expelled from the Sangha, he also need to repent more sincerely, and tell himself that he can’t do it again in the future, so that he have the opportunity to avoid the retribution.

　

    For important Buddhist precepts, basically all sects have a consensus, but there are some outdated precepts, which often cause controversy; some people think that "precepts" cannot be changed or abandoned, and must be followed according to the rules of the Buddha, and some people think: Small precepts that are out of tune with the times should be eliminated. There is no correct answer to this debate, but what is more important is that the basic precepts should be followed. Before entering Nirvana, the Buddha once instructed the public to "take precepts as teachers", which shows the importance of precepts in Buddhism. The purpose of the precept is to remind oneself that he must remain alert against "wrong behaviors and thoughts", so that he can maintain a pure mind, practice well, and achieve true relief.