法苑珠林 89.11

89.11

The commentary states: If one wishes to receive the precepts, one must receive them in front of a person from the five monastic assemblies. Fully cultivating the deportments, kneel on the right knee, join your palms, and invite a precept master, saying: "I, [name], now invite the Venerable One to be my ācārya precept master for the ten virtues. May the Venerable One be my ācārya precept master for the ten virtues. Relying upon the Venerable One, I am able to receive the ten virtues; out of your compassionate pity." (Say this three times. Although this has no explicit text, following the principle of requesting a master when receiving the full precepts, it is likewise without error. Although receiving without requesting is valid, it is not as good as requesting, which generates goodness. Moreover, these ten virtues are the root of the three vehicles and a good medicine for humans and devas. Attaining their wonderful fruit is truly due to the master's instruction; how could one not request it? Even if one requests together with a great assembly at one time, it is also permissible.) In the method of receiving this, there are broadly two aspects: first, receiving before another person; second, receiving the method by oneself. For first receiving before another person, two texts are briefly cited according to the sūtras. Relying first on the Weicengyou jing, it says: "You should now sincerely take refuge in the Buddha, take refuge in the Dharma, and take refuge in the Bhikṣusaṃgha." (Say this three times.) "Now, for the rest of your life, receive the path of the ten virtues: 'I, disciple [name], from now until the end of my life, will not kill, not steal, and not engage in sexual misconduct—these are the wholesome karmas of the body; will not speak falsely, not speak divisively, not speak harshly, and not speak frivolously—these are the wholesome karmas of speech; will not be covetous, not be malicious, not be arrogant, and not hold wrong views—these are the wholesome karmas of the mind.' This is called the precept method of the ten virtues."