大方便佛報恩經 6.77

6.77

He replied, “Four precepts are obtained with respect to sentient beings, and the precept against drinking alcohol is obtained with respect to non-sentient things. Whether sentient beings can be killed or cannot be killed, can be violated sexually or cannot be violated sexually, can be stolen from or cannot be stolen from, can be lied to or cannot be lied to, one obtains the precepts with respect to all of them. From Avīci Hell below up to the sphere of neither-perception-nor-non-perception above, throughout the trichiliocosm, and even with respect to the Tathāgata and all living beings, one obtains these four precepts. Because at the time of first receiving the precepts, one abstains completely from all killing, all stealing, all sexual misconduct, and all lying without any restriction, one unfailingly obtains the precepts with respect to all sentient beings. Whenever the method of receiving precepts is conferred, the Dharma is first explained to the candidate, guiding and opening their understanding, causing them to generate a mind of loving-kindness and compassion toward all sentient beings. Having attained the higher mind, they then attain the higher precepts. In the method of obtaining the precepts, one obtains four precepts with respect to every sentient being. In their differentiation, the four precepts comprise twelve precepts. With respect to sentient beings, regarding not killing, not stealing, not committing sexual misconduct, and not lying: whenever these four evils arise, they do so through three conditions: first, they arise out of greed; second, they arise out of anger; third, they arise out of delusion. There are twelve evils with respect to all sentient beings; through opposing these evils, one obtains the matter (rūpa) of the twelve wholesome precepts. It is likewise with respect to all boundless sentient beings. Even if millions of arhats enter nirvāṇa, the precepts previously obtained with respect to these arhats remain fulfilled from beginning to end; it is not the case that because the arhats enter nirvāṇa, these precepts are lost. When one obtains the precept against drinking alcohol, one obtains the matter of the precept sip by sip with respect to all alcohol that exists throughout the trichiliocosm for the duration of this single life, because at the time of receiving the precept, one abstains from drinking all alcohol whatsoever. Even if all alcohol were completely exhausted, the precept would remain ever fulfilled and not lost.”