大方便佛報恩經 6.99

6.99

[The Buddha] replied: "They cannot. When the Buddha originally established the precepts, each had a definite limit. If one receives the five precepts, it must be for the duration of one's life; if one receives the eight precepts, it must be received for one day and one night; therefore, one cannot. Now, the precepts of a motion and three proclamations have superior, middling, and inferior: the five precepts are inferior-grade precepts, the ten precepts are middling-grade precepts, and the complete precepts are superior-grade precepts. Entering into the five precepts also has three grades: if one receives the precepts with an inferior-grade mind, one obtains inferior-grade precepts; if one receives the precepts with a middling-grade mind, one obtains middling-grade precepts; if one receives the precepts with a superior-grade mind, one obtains superior-grade precepts. The ten precepts and complete precepts also each have three grades, as explained for the five precepts. If after obtaining the precepts with an inferior-grade mind one receives the ten precepts with a middling- or superior-grade mind, the five precepts previously obtained have no further increase or superiority. Beyond the five precepts, up to the remaining five precepts such as not eating at improper times, one obtains the elevated five precepts. The previously obtained five precepts retain their original inferior grade; that is, the prior inferior-grade five precepts. If with a middling- or superior-grade mind one receives the complete precepts, the previously obtained five precepts have no further increase or superiority. They remain the original five precepts; all the precepts beyond the five precepts, because the mind was elevated at the time of receiving the complete precepts, are obtained as elevated precepts. Inferring from this, prātimokṣa precepts are not obtained twice. In terms of sequence, the five precepts are the inferior grade, the ten precepts are the middling grade, and the complete precepts are the superior grade. Inferring by principle, one may also obtain the five precepts with a superior-grade mind, which are superior-grade precepts; obtain the ten precepts with a middling-grade mind, which are middling-grade precepts; or obtain the complete precepts with an inferior-grade mind, which are inferior-grade precepts. By this principle, following the mind there are superior, middling, and inferior; obtaining the precepts differs, with no fixed limit. If, when requesting an upādhyāya to receive the ten precepts, the upādhyāya is not present, one still obtains the ten precepts. If, when receiving the ten precepts, the upādhyāya dies, if one hears of and knows of the death, one does not obtain the precepts; if one does not hear of the death, one receives the precepts and obtains them. In the case of a motion and three proclamations, if the upādhyāya from whom one receives the precepts is not present, one cannot receive the precepts, because the quorum of the saṃgha is incomplete. If the quorum of the saṃgha is complete, even if there is no upādhyāya, one still obtains the precepts."