TheBodhisattvaPreceptsforLaypeople: 6MajorPrecepts (1stMajor) (2ndMajor) (3rdMajor) (4thMajor) (5thMajor) (6thMajor) 28MinorPrecepts (1stMinor) (2ndMinor) (3rdMinor) (4 Minor) (5 Minor) (6 Minor)

or) (7 Minor) (8 Minor) (9 Minor)

th th th th th th th

ThePreceptagainstKilling ThePreceptagainstStealing ThePreceptagainstMajorFalseSpeech ThePreceptagainstLustfulBehavior ThePreceptagainstSpeakingofOffensesCommittedbyMembersofthe FourfoldAssembly ThePreceptagainstDealinginIntoxicants,Drugs,andStimulants

ThePreceptagainstFailuretoMakeOfferingstoOurParents,Teacher, andElders ThePreceptagainstIndulginginIntoxicants,Drugs,orStimulants forPleasure ThePreceptagainstFailuretoCarefortheSick ThePreceptagainstFailuretobeCharitabletoPeopleinNeed ThePreceptagainstFailuretobeHospitableto,Bowto,andPayRespect toEldersandSeniorsoftheFourfoldAssembly ThePreceptagainstBecomingArrogantuponSeeingMembersofthe FourfoldAssemblyViolatePrecepts ThePreceptagainstFailuretoObservetheSixDaysofVegetarianFasting andHoldingPrecepts ThePreceptagainstFailuretoGotoListentotheDharma ThePreceptagainstTakingItemsBelongingtotheSangha

(10 Minor) ThePreceptagainstDrinkingWaterthatContainsBugs (11thMinor) ThePreceptagainstTravelingAlonethroughDangerousPlaces (12thMinor) ThePreceptagainstStayingOvernightUnchaperonedinaConvent oraMonastery (13thMinor) ThePreceptagainstBeatingPeopleasaLivelihoodorforaWage (14thMinor) ThePreceptagainstBringingLeftoverFoodtoOffertotheFourfold Assembly (15thMinor) ThePreceptagainstKeepingCatsandOtherPredatoryAnimals

(16thMinor) ThePreceptagainstRaisingDomesticorWildAnimalswithout PerformingPureGiving (17thMinor) ThePreceptagainstFailuretoKeepinReservetheThreeRobes,aBowl,

th

andaRingingStaff

(18 Minor) ThePreceptagainstFailuretoLookforPureWatertoIrrigateLandCrops (19thMinor) ThePreceptagainstTradingorDoingBusinessUsingAlteredWeights

st

andMeasuresandFailuretoHonorPriorAgreements orPlaces

(20thMinor) ThePreceptagainstEngaginginConjugalRelationsattheWrongTimes (21 Minor) ThePreceptagainstFailuretoPayOfficialTaxesWhenDoingBusiness (22ndMinor) ThePreceptagainstBreakingFederalandCivilLaws (23rdMinor) ThePreceptagainstFailuretoOfferNewFoodtotheTripleJewelFirst (24thMinor)ThePreceptagainstAbruptlyProceedingtoSpeakDharmaonOurOwn
th

withouttheSanghasPermission

(25 Minor) ThePreceptagainstWalkingAheadoftheFivefoldAssembly (26thMinor) ThePreceptagainstApportioningFoodtotheSanghaUnfairly (27thMinor) ThePreceptagainstRaisingSilkworms (28thMinor) ThePreceptagainstAbandoningSickPeopleWeEncounterwhile Traveling

THESIXMAJORPRECEPTS
1) TheFirstMajorPrecept:ThePreceptagainstKilling [ShakyamuniBuddha,addressingtheelder'ssonWholesomeBirth:] Goodman!InaccordancewiththeUpasaka/UpasikaPrecepts,evenforthesake ofsustainingourownbodyorlife,weshouldrefrainfromanyformofkilling,up toandincludingkillinganant.If,afterhavingreceivedthisPrecept,weencourage orverballyinstructotherstokill,commitanactofkilling,orcommitsuicide,we thereuponlosethisUpasaka/UpasikaPrecept. SuchapersoncannotevenattaintheDharmaoftheLevelofHeatmuchlessthe FruitionofShrotaapanna,uptoandincludingtheFruitionofAnagamin. SuchapersoniscalledaPreceptbreakingUpasaka/Upasika,adespicable Upasaka/Upasika,anoutcast,adefiledUpasaka/Upasika,andanUpasaka/Upasika inbondage.ThisistheFirstMajorPrecept. 2) TheSecondMajorPrecept:ThePreceptagainstStealing InaccordancewiththeUpasaka/UpasikaPrecepts,evenforthesakeofsustaining ourownbodyorlife,weshouldnotstealnotevenonecent.Inthecasewherethis Preceptisbreached,theviolatorthereuponlosesthisUpasaka/UpasikaPrecept. SuchapersoncannotevenattaintheDharmaoftheLevelofHeat,muchlessthe FruitionofShrotaapanna,uptoandincludingtheFruitionofAnagamin. SuchapersoniscalledaPreceptbreakingUpasaka/Upasika,adespicable Upasaka/Upasika,anoutcast,adefiledUpasaka/Upasika,andanUpasaka/Upasika inbondage.ThisistheSecondMajorPrecept. 3) TheThirdMajorPrecept:ThePreceptagainstMajorFalseSpeech InaccordancewiththeUpasaka/UpasikaPrecepts,evenforthesakeofsustaining ourownbodyorlife,weshouldnotfalselyproclaim,Ihaveperfectedthe

ContemplationofImpurity,uptoandincludingtheFruitionofAnagamin.When thisPreceptisbreached,theviolatorthereuponlosesthisUpasaka/UpasikaPrecept. SuchapersoncannotevenattaintheDharmaoftheLevelofHeat,muchlessthe FruitionofShrotaapanna,uptoandincludingtheFruitionofAnagamin. SuchapersoniscalledaPreceptbreakingUpasaka/Upasika,adespicable Upasaka/Upasika,anoutcast,adefiledUpasaka/Upasika,andanUpasaka/Upasika inbondage.ThisistheThirdMajorPrecept. 4) TheFourthMajorPrecept:ThePreceptagainstLustfulBehavior InaccordancewiththeUpasaka/UpasikaPrecepts,evenforthesakeofsustaining ourownbodyorlife,weshouldnotengageinlustfulbehavior.WhenthisPreceptis breached,theviolatorthereuponlosesthisUpasaka/UpasikaPrecept. SuchapersoncannotevenattaintheDharmaoftheLevelofHeat,muchlessthe FruitionofShrotaapanna,uptoandincludingtheFruitionofAnagamin. SuchapersoniscalledaPreceptbreakingUpasaka/Upasika,adespicable Upasaka/Upasika,anoutcast,adefiledUpasaka/Upasika,andanUpasaka/Upasika inbondage.ThisistheFourthMajorPrecept. 5) TheFifthMajorPrecept:ThePreceptagainst SpeakingofOffensesCommittedbyMembersoftheFourfoldAssembly InaccordancewiththeUpasaka/UpasikaPrecepts,evenforthesakeofsustaining ourownbodyorlife,weshouldnotannounceordiscussanyoffensesorfaultsof Bhikshus,Bhikshunis,Upasakas,orUpasikas.WhenthisPreceptisbreached,the violatorthereuponlosesthisUpasaka/UpasikaPrecept. SuchapersoncannotevenattaintheDharmaoftheLevelofHeat,muchlessthe FruitionofShrotaapanna,uptoandincludingtheFruitionofAnagamin. SuchapersoniscalledaPreceptbreakingUpasaka/Upasika,adespicable

Upasaka/Upasika,anoutcast,adefiledUpasaka/Upasika,andanUpasaka/Upasika inbondage.ThisistheFifthMajorPrecept. 6) TheSixthMajorPrecept:ThePreceptagainst DealinginIntoxicants,Drugs,andStimulants InaccordancewiththeUpasaka/UpasikaPrecepts,evenforthesakeofsustaining ourownbodyorlife,weshouldnotdealinintoxicants,drugs,orstimulants.Whenthis Preceptisbreached,theviolatorthereuponlosesthisUpasaka/UpasikaPrecept. SuchapersoncannotevenattaintheDharmaoftheLevelofHeat,muchlessthe FruitionofShrotaapanna,uptoandincludingtheFruitionofAnagamin. SuchapersoniscalledaPreceptbreakingUpasaka/Upasika,adespicable Upasaka/Upasika,anoutcast,adefiledUpasaka/Upasika,andanUpasaka/Upasika inbondage.ThisisthesixthmajorPrecept. [ShakyamuniBuddha,addressingtheelder'ssonWholesomeBirth:]Goodman!If, afterhavingreceivedthetransmissionoftheseUpasaka/UpasikaPrecepts,aperson canupholdthemwithutmostsincerityandguardagainstinfractionand transgression,suchapersonwillaccordinglyattaintheFruitionofthesePrecepts. Goodman!TheUpasaka/UpasikaPreceptsarecalledstrandsofgemsand adornments.Theirfragranceissubtle,wonderfulandpervadeseverywhere.The PreceptsshieldusfromunwholesomedharmasandfunctionastheVinayaof wholesomedharmas.Theyareatreasuryofunsurpassed,wondrousjewels.They arethegreat,still,andquietplaceofsupremelynoblebirth,theflavorofsweet dew,andthegroundthatnurtureswholesomedharmas. Thestraightforwardintenttoreceiveandupholdthemalonewillbringuslimitless benefits.Howmuchthemoreisthatthecasewhenwearefurtherabletosingle mindedlyreceiveandupholdthesePreceptswithouttransgression!

THETWENTYEIGHTMINORPRECEPTS
1) TheFirstMinorPrecept:ThePreceptagainst FailuretoMakeOfferingstoOurParents,Teachers,andElders [ShakyamuniBuddhacontinuesaddressingtheelder'ssonWholesomeBirth:] Goodman!AstheBuddhahassaid,ifanUpasaka/Upasikawhohasreceivedand shouldbeupholdingthisPreceptfailstomakeofferingstoandprovidefor his/herparents,teachers,andelders,he/shetherebycommitsanoffense throughnegligence.Failuretorepentandreformwillleadtoafall,causedby suchimpurebehavior. 2) TheSecondMinorPrecept:ThePreceptagainst IndulginginIntoxicants,Drugs,andStimulantsforPleasure IfanUpasaka/UpasikawhohasreceivedandshouldbeupholdingthisPrecept indulgesinintoxicants,drugs,orstimulantsforpleasure,he/shetherebycommitsan offensethroughnegligence.Failuretorepentandreformwillleadtoafall, causedbysuchimpurebehavior. 3) TheThirdMinorPrecept:ThePreceptagainstFailuretoCarefortheSick IfanUpasaka/UpasikawhohasreceivedandshouldbeupholdingthisPreceptfails tocareforthesick,duetoevilmotivations,he/shetherebycommitsanoffense throughnegligence.Failuretorepentandreformwillleadtoafall,causedbysuch impurebehavior. 4) TheFourthMinorPrecept:ThePreceptagainst FailuretobeCharitabletoPeopleinNeed IfanUpasaka/UpasikawhohasreceivedandshouldbeupholdingthisPreceptfails todistributeanappropriateamountofwhatisrequesteduponencountering someoneinneed,andinsteadsendsthepersoninneedawayemptyhanded,he/she

therebycommitsanoffensethroughnegligence.Failuretorepentandreformwill leadtoafall,causedbysuchimpurebehavior. 5) TheFifthMinorPrecept:ThePreceptagainst FailuretobeHospitableto,Bowto,andPayRespecttoEldersand SeniorsoftheFourfoldAssembly IfanUpasaka/UpasikawhohasreceivedandshouldbeupholdingthisPrecept,fails torise,behospitableto,bowtoandpayrespecttoBhikshus,Bhiksunis,Elder Masters,and/orseniorUpasakasorUpasikasuponencounteringthem,he/she therebycommitsanoffensethroughnegligence.Failuretorepentandreformwill leadtoafall,causedbysuchimpurebehavior. 6) TheSixthMinorPrecept:ThePreceptagainst BecomingArrogantuponSeeingMembersoftheFourfoldAssemblyViolate Precepts IfanUpasaka/UpasikawhohasreceivedandshouldbeupholdingthisPrecept becomesarrogantuponseeingBhikshus,Bhikshunis,and/orUpasakasorUpasikas violatethePreceptstheyhavereceived,andsays,Iamsuperiortothem;theyare inferiortome,he/shetherebycommitsanoffensethroughnegligence.Failureto repentandreformwillleadtoafall,causedbysuchimpurebehavior. 7) TheSeventhMinorPrecept:ThePreceptagainst FailuretoObservetheSixDaysofVegetarianFastingandHoldingPrecepts IfanUpasaka/UpasikawhohasreceivedandshouldbeupholdingthisPreceptfails toobservethesixdaysofholdingtheEightPreceptsandmakingofferingstothe TripleJeweleverymonth,he/shetherebycommitsanoffensethroughnegligence. Failuretorepentandreformwillleadtoafall,causedbysuchimpurebehavior. 8) TheEighthMinorPrecept:ThePreceptagainstFailuretoGotoListentotheDharma IfanUpasaka/UpasikawhohasreceivedandshouldbeupholdingthisPreceptfailsto

goandlistentotheDharmawhenitisbeinglecturedanywherewithinatwelveanda halfmileradius,he/shetherebycommitsanoffensethroughnegligence.Failure torepentandreformwillleadtoafall,causedbysuchimpurebehavior. 9) TheNinthMinorPrecept:ThePreceptagainstTaking ItemsBelongingtotheSangha IfanUpasaka/UpasikawhohasreceivedandshouldbeupholdingthisPrecepttakes thebeds,seats,orbeddingbelongingtotheSanghaofthefourdirections,he/she therebycommitsanoffensethroughnegligence.Failuretorepentandreformwill leadtoafall,causedbysuchimpurebehavior. 10) TheTenthMinorPrecept:ThePreceptagainstDrinkingWaterthatContainsBugs IfanUpasaka/UpasikawhohasreceivedandshouldbeupholdingthisPrecept deliberatelydrinkswaterthathe/shesuspectscontainsbugs,he/shethereby commitsanoffensethroughnegligence.Failuretorepentandreformwilllead toafall,causedbysuchimpurebehavior. 11) TheEleventhMinorPrecept:ThePreceptagainst TravelingAlonethroughDangerousPlaces IfanUpasaka/UpasikawhohasreceivedandshouldbeupholdingthisPrecept travelswithoutacompanionthroughdangerousplaces,he/shetherebycommitsan offensethroughnegligence.Failuretorepentandreformwillleadtoafall, causedbysuchimpurebehavior. 12) TheTwelfthMinorPrecept:ThePreceptagainst StayingOvernightUnchaperonedinaConventoraMonastery IfanUpasaka/UpasikawhohasreceivedandshouldbeupholdingthisPreceptstays overnightunchaperonedinaconventoramonastery,he/shethereby commitsanoffensethroughnegligence.Failuretorepentandreformwillleadtoa fall,causedbysuchimpurebehavior.

13) TheThirteenthMinorPrecept:ThePreceptagainst BeatingPeopleasaLivelihoodorforaWage IfanUpasaka/UpasikawhohasreceivedandshouldbeupholdingthisPreceptbeats orverballyabusesslaves,servants,errandboysorgirls,orotherhiredhelp,doing thatasalivelihoodorforawage,he/shetherebycommitsanoffensethrough negligence.Failuretorepentandreformwillleadtoafall,causedbysuchimpure behavior. 14) TheFourteenthMinorPrecept:ThePreceptagainst BringingLeftoverFoodtoOffertotheFourfoldAssembly IfanUpasaka/UpasikawhohasreceivedandshouldbeupholdingthisPrecept bringsleftoverfoodtooffertoBhikshus,Bhikshunis,UpasakasandUpasikas,he/she therebycommitsanoffensethroughnegligence.Failuretorepentandreformwill leadtoafall,causedbysuchimpurebehavior. 15) TheFifteenthMinorPrecept:ThePreceptagainst KeepingCatsandOtherPredatoryAnimals IfanUpasaka/UpasikawhohasreceivedandshouldbeupholdingthisPreceptkeeps catsorotherpredatoryanimals,he/shetherebycommitsanoffensethrough negligence.Failuretorepentandreformwillleadtoafall,causedbysuchimpure behavior. 16) TheSixteenthMinorPrecept:ThePreceptagainst RaisingDomesticorWildAnimalswithoutPerformingPureGiving IfanUpasaka/UpasikawhohasreceivedandshouldbeupholdingthisPrecept raiseselephants,horses,cattle,sheeporgoats,camels,donkeysormules,orany otherkindofanimalswhetherdomesticorwild,andfailstobestowthoseanimals onsomeonewhohasnottakenthisPreceptinanactofpuregiving,he/shethereby commitsanoffensethroughnegligence.Failuretorepentandreformwillleadto afall,causedbysuchimpurebehavior.

17) TheSeventeenthMinorPrecept:ThePreceptagainst FailuretoKeepinReservetheThreeRobes,aBowl,andaRingingStaff IfanUpasaka/UpasikawhohasreceivedandshouldbeupholdingthisPreceptfails tokeepinreservethesamghatiandotherrobes,abowl,andaringingstaff,he/she therebycommitsanoffensethroughnegligence.Failuretorepentandreformwill leadtoafall,causedbysuchimpurebehavior. 18) TheEighteenthMinorPrecept:ThePreceptAgainst FailuretoLookforPureWatertoIrrigateLandCrops IfanUpasaka/UpasikawhohasreceivedandshouldbeupholdingthisPrecept needstoengageinagriculturalworkasameanstoearnalivelihood,butfailsto lookforpurewatertoirrigatethecrops,he/shetherebycommitsanoffense throughnegligence.Failuretorepentandreformwillleadtoafall,causedbysuch impurebehavior. 19) TheNineteenthMinorPrecept:ThePreceptagainst TradingorDoingBusinessUsingAlteredWeightsandMeasuresand FailuretoHonorPriorAgreements IfanUpasaka/UpasikawhohasreceivedandshouldbeupholdingthisPrecept engagesinbusinesstransactionsasameanstoearnalivelihood,usingweightsand measuresinthesaleofmerchandise,thenonceapricehasbeenagreedupon, he/shemustnotretractitanddemandahigherprice.Anyweighingandmeasuring shouldbedonefairlyandinfullview,andiftheyarenot,thedifferencesshouldbe statedandadjustmentsmade.Otherwise,he/shetherebycommitsanoffense throughnegligence.Failuretorepentandreformwillleadtoafall,causedbysuch impurebehavior. 20) TheTwentiethMinorPrecept:ThePreceptagainst EngaginginConjugalRelationsattheWrongTimesorPlaces IfanUpasaka/UpasikawhohasreceivedandshouldbeupholdingthisPrecept

engagesinconjugalrelationsatthewrongplacesorwrongtimes,he/she therebycommitsanoffensethroughnegligence.Failuretorepentandreformwill leadtoafall,causedbysuchimpurebehavior. 21) TheTwentyfirstMinorPrecept:ThePreceptagainst FailuretoPayOfficialTaxesWhenDoingBusiness IfanUpasaka/UpasikawhohasreceivedandshouldbeupholdingthisPreceptdoes notpaytheofficialtaxeswhenengagedintradeorcommerce,aswhenbuyingor selling,butinsteaddefaultsonorevadesthem,he/shetherebycommitsanoffense throughnegligence.Failuretorepentandreformwillleadtoafall,causedbysuch impurebehavior. 22) TheTwentysecondMinorPrecept:ThePreceptagainst BreakingFederalandCivilLaws IfanUpasaka/UpasikawhohasreceivedandshouldbeupholdingthisPrecept violatesfederalorcivillaws,he/shetherebycommitsanoffensethroughnegligence. Failuretorepentandreformwillleadtoafall,causedbysuchimpurebehavior. 23) TheTwentythirdMinorPrecept:ThePreceptagainst FailuretoOfferNewFoodtotheTripleJewelFirst IfanUpasaka/UpasikawhohasreceivedandshouldbeupholdingthisPrecept obtainsnewlyacquiredgrains,fruitoftreesorvines,rootorothervegetablesand doesnotofferthemfirsttotheTripleJewel,butinsteadfirsttakesthemfor himself/herself,he/shetherebycommitsanoffensethroughnegligence.Failureto repentandreformwillleadtoafall,causedbysuchimpurebehavior. 24) TheTwentyfourthMinorPrecept:ThePreceptagainst AbruptlyProceedingtoSpeakDharmaonOurOwnwithouttheSanghas Permission IfanUpasaka/UpasikawhohasreceivedandshouldbeupholdingthisPreceptabruptly

proceedstospeakDharmaorwordsofpraiseonhis/herownwithouttheSanghas permission,he/shetherebycommitsanoffensethoughnegligence.Failuretorepent andreformwillleadtoafall,causedbysuchimpurebehavior. 25) TheTwentyfifthMinorPrecept:ThePreceptagainst WalkingAheadoftheFivefoldAssembly IfanUpasaka/UpasikawhohasreceivedandshouldbeupholdingthisPreceptwalks aheadoftheFivefoldAssemblywhentravelingalongapath,he/shethereby commitsanoffensethroughnegligence.Failuretorepentandreformwillleadtoa fall,causedbysuchimpurebehavior. 26) TheTwentysixthMinorPrecept:ThePreceptagainst ApportioningFoodtotheSanghaUnfairly IfanUpasaka/UpasikawhohasreceivedandshouldbeupholdingthisPreceptshows favoritismwhileapportioningfoodamongtheSanghamembersbyselecting deliciousfoodforanygivenMasterandgivingmoreofittohim/her,he/shethereby commitsanoffensethroughnegligence.Failuretorepentandreformwillleadtoa fall,causedbysuchimpurebehavior. 27) TheTwentyseventhMinorPrecept:ThePreceptagainstRaisingSilkworms IfanUpasaka/UpasikawhohasreceivedandshouldbeupholdingthisPreceptraises silkworms,he/shetherebycommitsanoffensethroughnegligence.Failuretorepent andreformwillleadtoafall,causedbysuchimpurebehavior. 28) TheTwentyeighthMinorPrecept:ThePreceptAgainst AbandoningSickPeopleWeEncounterswhileTraveling IfanUpasaka/UpasikawhohasreceivedandshouldbeupholdingthisPrecept encounterssomeonesickwhiletravelinganddoesnotgotocheckonthatperson andarrangeforhis/hercareandsafedestination,butinsteadabandonstheperson, he/shetherebycommitsanoffensethroughnegligence.Failuretorepentand

reformwillleadtoafall,causedbysuchimpurebehavior. *** [ShakyamuniBuddhacontinuesaddressingtheelder'ssonWholesomeBirth:]Good man!IfanUpasaka/UpasikacanwholeheartedlyreceiveandupholdthesePrecepts, he/sheiscalledapundarika[whitelotus]amongUpasakas/Upasikas;asupremeand subtlywondrousfragranceamongUpasakas/Upasikas;apurelotusfloweramong Upasakas/Upasikas;atrue,treasuredjewelamongUpasakas/Upasikas;andahero amongUpasakas/Upasikas. Goodman!AstheBuddhastellus,therearetwokindsofBodhisattvas.Oneis thelayBodhisattvaandtheotheristhemonasticBodhisattva.Monastic BodhisattvasarecalledBhikshus;layBodhisattvasarecalledUpasakas.Itisnot difficultforthemonasticBodhisattvastoupholdthemonasticPrecepts.Itisdifficult forthelayBodhisattvastoupholdthelayPrecepts.Whyisthat?Itisbecause laypeopleareentangledinandsurroundedbymanyevilcausesandconditions. (EndoftheSixMajorandTwentyeightMinorPreceptsofthe SutraoftheUpasakaPreceptsSpokenbytheBuddha)