法苑珠林 16.7

16.7

The treatise says: If one is a white-robed layperson dwelling at home who has not yet received the precepts, one should first receive the three refuges that overturn error. At each of the six periods of the day, receive them according to the time, manifestly taking refuge in the Three Jewels and vowing never to turn back; then one will surely attain rebirth above. If one is among the fivefold assembly of renouncers who have already received the precepts, merely practice according to them without needing to receive them separately. If one lacks precept practice and only idly reflects on goodness, one will also not attain rebirth. Thus the Mahāprajñāpāramitā-śāstra says: 'I, so-and-so, for the rest of my life, take refuge in the Buddha, take refuge in the Dharma, take refuge in the Saṃgha' (say this three times). 'I, so-and-so, for the rest of my life, have taken refuge in the Buddha, have taken refuge in the Dharma, have taken refuge in the Saṃgha' (say this three times). Furthermore, in the Chutai jing, the Buddha addressed Maitreya in verse, saying: