四分律刪繁補闕行事鈔 3.292

3.292

Third is clarifying the procedure for the eight precepts. The Sarvāstivāda and other texts state: they should be received from the five assemblies. If no one is available, one may simply form the thought and utter the words, taking refuge in the Three Jewels and vowing, "I observe the eight precepts," and this is also valid. Next is the procedure for receiving them; the Zhidu lun states: to receive the one-day precepts, one should kneel on both knees, join the palms, and say: "I, named so-and-so, for one day and one night, take refuge in the Buddha, take refuge in the Dharma, take refuge in the Saṃgha, as an upāsaka of pure conduct" (said three times). "I, named so-and-so, have taken refuge in the Buddha, and so forth, up to the Saṃgha, as an upāsaka of pure conduct for one day and one night." Next, confession is performed: "I, named so-and-so, if I have committed unwholesome bodily, vocal, or mental actions out of greed, anger, or delusion, whether in this life or past lives, having such sins, I now sincerely confess them. With the three actions purified, I receive and practice the eight fasts, which is poṣadha." (The treatise states: this should precede the reception.) Next, the characteristics are expounded: "First, just as the Buddhas for their whole lives do not take life, I, named so-and-so, for one day and one night do not take life likewise; just as the Buddhas for their whole lives do not steal, I, named so-and-so, for one day and one night do not steal likewise; just as the Buddhas for their whole lives do not engage in sexual misconduct, I, named so-and-so, for one day and one night do not engage in sexual misconduct likewise; just as the Buddhas for their whole lives do not utter false speech, I, named so-and-so, for one day and one night do not utter false speech likewise; abstaining from drinking alcohol, from sitting on high and broad beds, from wearing flower garlands, ornaments, perfuming the body, and scenting clothes, and from singing, dancing, making music, and purposely watching and listening to them, is also likewise. Having received the eight precepts, just as the Buddhas for their whole lives do not eat past midday, I, named so-and-so, for one day and one night do not eat past midday likewise. I, named so-and-so, receive and practice the eight precepts, emulating the teachings of the Buddhas, which is called poṣadha. May the karmic reward of observing this poṣadha ensure that life after life I do not fall into the three wretched destinies or the eight difficulties; nor do I seek the pleasures of the realms of wheel-turning kings or the heavenly kings Brahmā and Śakra; I pray that all defilements will be exhausted, that I attain sarvajña, and accomplish the Buddha path." In the Ekottarika-āgama, concerning the method of the eightfold fast, one makes vast and great vows; this is identical to fascicle thirty-eight, and fully detailed in the Chao and the Shu. The Mahāsāṃghika states: the Buddha addressed the monks, saying, "Today is a fast day; summon the upāsakas to bathe cleanly, put on clean garments, and receive the poṣadha rules." The Daśādhyāya states: when an elder of a settlement sees laypeople arrive, he expounds the profound Dharma to them and shows them the path between heterodoxy and orthodoxy; he should speak with knowledge and vision, instructing them in giving, observing precepts, patience, practicing wholesome deeds, and receiving and observing the eight precepts. The Ekottarika states: when receiving the eight fasts, one first confesses sins and then receives the precepts; this is expounded in fascicle sixteen. The Madhyama-āgama states: when a learned noble disciple observes the eight-branch fast, reflecting upon the names of the Tathāgata's ten epithets, if there are evil thoughts and unwholesome states, they are all eradicated; this is expounded in the Fasting Sūtra. The Sujāta Sūtra states: for those who receive the eight precepts, with the exception of the five heinous crimes, all other sins are extinguished. The Tattvasiddhi states: the merit is equal to that of uncontaminated beings. It is also valid whether received as one, two, or three, and regardless of the length of days or months. The Kośa states: regarding adornments, unless they are not customary old adornments, they do not produce an intensely intoxicated and disorderly mind. The Sujāta states: the eight precepts must not be received by multiple persons together, but only individually. The Pañcavargika states: if a monk possesses eight traits—slandering the Three Jewels and the precepts, and wishing harm upon those observing the five precepts—the observers of the five precepts should neither respect nor trust him. If an upāsaka is angry, a monk should not go to his home, and likewise for a settlement. The Saṃyukta-āgama states: What is an upāsaka? One who dwells cleanly at home, practices pure living, possesses male characteristics, and vocally recites the three refuges.