梵網經述記卷第一 1.2

1.2

Second, concerning receiving the precepts by self-vow: as the Yogācārabhūmi states in its fortieth fascicle: 'Furthermore, when bodhisattvas wish to receive the pure precept restraint of a bodhisattva, if they do not meet a pudgala endowed with complete virtues, they should then, before an image of the Tathāgata, receive the pure precept restraint of a bodhisattva by themselves. They should receive them thus: baring the right shoulder, placing the right knee on the ground, or squatting, kneeling, or sitting, they should say: "I, named such-and-such, respectfully announce to all Tathāgatas of the ten directions and the assemblies of bodhisattvas who have entered the great grounds: I now wish, in the presence of the Buddhas and bodhisattvas of the world realms in the ten directions, to vow to receive all the bodhisattva śikṣāpadas and vow to receive all the pure precepts of the bodhisattva—namely the precept of restraint, the precept of gathering virtuous dharmas, and the precept of benefiting sentient beings. All bodhisattvas of the past have already possessed such śikṣāpadas and such pure precepts; all bodhisattvas of the future will possess them; and all bodhisattvas now residing in the ten directions currently possess them. In such śikṣāpadas and in such pure precepts, all bodhisattvas of the past have trained; all bodhisattvas of the future will train; and all bodhisattvas now residing in the ten directions are currently training." One speaks likewise a second and a third time. Having spoken, one should rise. All the rest should be understood as before.' However, one who receives them by oneself must first repent, and must definitively obtain the sight of an auspicious sign; this is taken as the condition. If one does not obtain an auspicious sign, one does not obtain the precepts. The subsequent text of this sūtra states: 'After the Buddha's passing into extinction, when one wishes with a good mind to receive the bodhisattva precepts, one receives the precepts by self-vow before an image of the Buddha. One must repent before the Buddha for seven days, and upon obtaining the sight of an auspicious sign, one then obtains the precepts. If one does not obtain an auspicious sign at that time, one should continue for two periods of seven days, three periods of seven days, or even up to one year, until one definitively obtains an auspicious sign. Having obtained an auspicious sign, one is then able to receive the precepts before an image of the Buddha and bodhisattvas. If one does not obtain an auspicious sign, even though one receives the precepts before an image of the Buddha and bodhisattvas, one does not obtain the precepts. If one receives the precepts in the presence of a dharma master who has currently previously received the bodhisattva precepts, one does not need to see an auspicious sign; because this is conferral from master to master, an auspicious sign is not required. If within a thousand leagues there is no master capable of conferring the precepts, one may receive and obtain the precepts before an image of the Buddha and bodhisattvas, but one must see an auspicious sign.'