大般涅槃經集解 65.58

65.58

Sengliang comments: 'Not obtained without taking them completely' refers to not receiving the five [precepts] at one time. Because one's mind is weak and unable to vow to desist from the five evils, one cannot produce the precepts. If one receives all five at one time, the mind is strong and capable of producing them. If one is unable to keep them fully, one then abandons four and retains one; this is called 'one part.' This does not contradict the Buddha's intent; it means that receiving merely a single precept on its own does not obtain the precept. 'Obtained only by taking them completely' takes one day and one night as complete. Why is this? Householder precepts are of two kinds: first, lifelong; second, not lifelong. As for the not lifelong, one sets the mind to a term—whether one day, or fifteen days, or one day and one night, or merely one month, or merely one night—all can constitute the abstinence. The sūtra contains proof: regarding Kātyāyana, down to a single moment of thought, because the moment of thought is brief, the mind is weak and cannot generate the precepts, so it answers that it does not constitute it. Some who hear this take one day and one night as a fixed limit, believing that more or less does not constitute abstinence; this misses the point. Sengzong says: This is the sixteenth dispute. In terms of the correct doctrine, with the five precepts, according to how many one receives and observes, one accordingly obtains their merit. As for the eight precepts, whether for one day or even a single moment, they are obtained only by observing them completely; this differs from the five precepts. Hearing that the five precepts can be received partially, they thought the eight precepts could also be obtained partially. Hearing that the eight precepts are obtained only when fully received, they thought the five precepts were also like this. Baoliang says: Regarding the 'one-part upāsaka,' the Buddha once said that after taking the three refuges, receiving one precept among the five precepts is called 'one part.' Sentient beings fail to understand and then claim that the Buddha said receiving merely one precept among the five precepts obtains all five in full. This again became a dispute. Furthermore, he stated for one person that one day and one night is good, but is not called obtaining the abstinence: originally speaking of one day and one night, merely a single moment or a single thought is not called keeping abstinence. That person is virtuous, which is to say they obtain the precepts. Some fail to understand, claiming that one neither obtains the abstinence nor obtains the precepts, which is why disputes arise. Daohui's notes state: An 'one-part upāsaka' is one who first receives all five precepts, and afterward abandons four to observe one; this is 'one part.' If one initially undertakes only one precept from home, this cannot give rise to the non-manifest (avijñapti). If one says that an upāsaka undertaking it from home without receiving it completely obtains it, this misses the point. Now, as for the eightfold abstinence, whether undertaken yesterday and tonight, down to two days or one day, all are permissible. If merely for one day and one night, or a single thought or a single moment, these are all termed obtaining good, not obtaining the eightfold abstinence precepts. The notes state: Abstinence means not eating past noon. Purity and simplicity for one day and one night is called abstinence. The eight precepts are for adorning this abstinence, hence called the eightfold abstinence precepts. Receiving the eight precepts for merely a single thought or a single moment is not without acquisition, but the abstinence is not completed; therefore it is said one obtains good, not that one obtains the abstinence. Ordinary people do not understand, thinking that one must completely receive them for one day and one night before obtaining the method of the eightfold abstinence precepts; this is an error.