What Are the Threefold Pure Precepts?

The term "Three Categories" (Sanju) is a Buddhist concept referring to the categorization of sentient beings into the assembly of the rightly destined, the assembly of the wrongly destined, and the assembly of the undetermined, thereby representing all sentient beings. "Pure Precepts" (Jingjie) emphasizes receiving and upholding the precepts with a pure mind. Together, they embody the Mahayana practice principle of "perfecting Bodhi (enlightenment) through the observance of precepts."

Therefore, the Threefold Pure Precepts encompass all norms of Bodhisattva practice and serve as the overarching framework for Mahayana precepts. As stated in the Commentary on the Meaning of the Bodhisattva Precepts: "'Ju' means to gather; 'Precept' refers to prohibitions. These three sets of precepts can encompass all Mahayana precepts, hence they are named the Three Sets of Precepts."

The core of the Bodhisattva Precepts lies in the "Threefold Pure Precepts." This concept first appeared in the writings of the Tiantai school during the Chen and Sui dynasties: "The dharmas of the threefold precepts are undefiled and pure, hence they are called 'pure'." They encompass three major dimensions of practice: ceasing evil, cultivating good, and benefiting others. Bodhisattva precepts flourished during the Sui and Tang dynasties. Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty took Master Zhiyi as his teacher to receive the Bodhisattva Precepts, while monks such as Lingyu and Jingsong also wrote commentaries to promote them, attracting numerous followers. The Threefold Pure Precepts are divided into:

The Precept of Encompassing Disciplinary Rules The core of this precept is "ceasing evil." It requires practitioners to strictly adhere to the precepts to prevent all evil actions. These rules include the Five Precepts, the Eight Precepts, the Ten Precepts, and the Full Monastic Precepts, covering all aspects ranging from individual behavior to collective spiritual practice.

The Precept of Encompassing Good Dharmas The essence of this precept is "cultivating good." It requires practitioners to perform good deeds and accumulate merit, which includes generosity, moral discipline, patience, diligence, meditation, and wisdom. By actively doing good, practitioners can purify their minds and elevate their spiritual state.

The Precept of Benefiting Sentient Beings The spirit of this precept is "altruism." Practitioners must not only liberate themselves but also liberate others, helping all sentient beings escape the sea of suffering and achieve liberation. This embodies the altruistic spirit of Mahayana Buddhism.

Master Huiyuan of the Sui Dynasty summarized the Threefold Pure Precepts as "ceasing evil" and "cultivating good," noting that they both regulate one's own behavior and benefit all sentient beings. Master Daoxuan of the Tang Dynasty further explained that the Threefold Pure Precepts respectively accomplish the Buddha's Dharmakaya (Truth Body), Sambhogakaya (Reward Body), and Nirmanakaya (Emanation Body). Meanwhile, Master Mingkuang of the Tang Dynasty's Tiantai school integrated the Threefold Pure Precepts with doctrines such as the Four Great Vows and the Threefold Contemplation of Emptiness, the Provisional, and the Middle Way. He emphasized that the three are perfectly integrated and mutually complementary, together constituting the complete system of the Bodhisattva path.

The Threefold Pure Precepts serve as the fundamental framework for the Bodhisattva Precepts. Generally, Bodhisattva Precepts are divided into the Brahmajala system and the Yogacara system: the Brahmajala system is based on the Brahmajala Sutra, establishing ten major and forty-eight minor precepts, and is applicable to both monastics and laypeople; the Yogacara system is based on the Yogacarabhumi-sastra, combining the Threefold Pure Precepts with the four defeating factors, requiring one to first receive the Hinayana precepts before continuing their practice.

The Brahmajala precepts are more widely used in Han Chinese regions and serve as the most popular Bodhisattva precept text. Legend has it that it was spoken by the Buddha in the Akanistha Heaven and preached by Vairocana Buddha to Bodhisattva Miaohai, possessing a profoundly expansive spiritual vision.

The Brahmajala Sutra states that the Bodhisattva Precepts were jointly proclaimed by the Buddhas of the three times (past, present, and future) and must be received and upheld by all Bodhisattvas, demonstrating their supreme excellence: "This is what all past Buddhas have spoken, what future Buddhas will speak, and what present Buddhas are speaking now. It is what Bodhisattvas of the three times have studied, will study, and are studying now." The Sutra of the Bodhisattva's Original Deeds Adorned with Necklaces also notes: "Those who receive these precepts enter the realm of all Buddhas and are counted among the Bodhisattvas, transcending the suffering of birth and death across three asankhyeya kalpas."

In summary, if one resolves to practice the Bodhisattva path, they must receive and uphold the Bodhisattva Precepts. Only then can their aspirations and actions resonate with the Buddhas. This not only plants the proper cause for attaining Buddhahood but also injects a bright and guiding direction into their present life.

The Ten Major and Forty-Eight Minor Precepts of the Brahmajala Sutra Bodhisattva Precepts

Ten Major Precepts

Killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, selling alcohol, speaking of the faults of the four assemblies, praising oneself and disparaging others, stinginess and abuse, refusing to accept repentance, and slandering the Three Jewels.

Forty-Eight Minor Precepts

Precept against disrespecting teachers and fellow practitioners; precept against consuming alcohol; precept against eating meat; precept against consuming the five pungent roots; precept against failing to teach and guide the repentance of transgressions; precept against failing to make provisions and request the Dharma; precept against failing to listen to the Dharma; precept against turning one's mind away from the Mahayana; precept against failing to care for the sick; precept against keeping weapons for killing sentient beings; precept against acting as a national envoy; precept against trading and selling; precept against slander and defamation; precept against setting fires; precept against teaching biased doctrines; precept against teaching falsely for profit; precept against soliciting by relying on powerful connections; precept against acting as a teacher without understanding; precept against divisive speech; precept against failing to practice rescue and liberation; precept against harboring anger, striking others, or seeking revenge; precept against arrogance and failing to request the Dharma; precept against arrogantly teaching biased doctrines; precept against failing to study the Buddha Dharma; precept against improperly managing the Sangha; precept against exclusively receiving offerings; precept against accepting private invitations; precept against privately inviting monastics; precept against wrong livelihood; precept against failing to respect auspicious times; precept against failing to redeem beings; precept against harming sentient beings; precept against improper mental occupations; precept against temporarily thinking of the Hinayana; precept against failing to make vows; precept against failing to make pledges; precept against traveling into danger; precept against disrupting the order of seniority; precept against failing to cultivate merit and wisdom; precept against being selective in receiving precepts; precept against acting as a teacher for profit; precept against explaining precepts to the wicked; precept against accepting offerings without shame; precept against failing to make offerings to scriptures; precept against failing to transform sentient beings; precept against teaching the Dharma counter to the Dharma; precept against establishing unorthodox restrictions; and precept against destroying the Dharma.

The Six Major and Twenty-Eight Minor Bodhisattva Precepts

Derived from the Sutra on the Upasaka Precepts, these are Bodhisattva precepts specifically established for lay Buddhists:

Six Major Precepts

Precept against killing living beings, precept against stealing, precept against false speech, precept against sexual misconduct, precept against consuming alcohol, and precept against discussing the faults of the four assemblies.

Twenty-Eight Minor Precepts

Precept against failing to make offerings to parents, teachers, and elders; precept against indulging in alcohol; precept against failing to care for the sick and suffering; precept against refusing to give to beggars; precept against failing to respectfully welcome and bow to elders; precept against feeling arrogant upon seeing others break precepts; precept against failing to observe the six fasting days; precept against failing to listen to the Dharma; precept against using items intended for monastics; precept against drinking water containing insects; precept against traveling alone through dangerous places; precept against staying overnight alone in a nunnery; precept against beating people for wealth; precept against offering leftover food to the four assemblies; precept against keeping cats and raccoon dogs; precept against keeping livestock without proper pure giving; precept against failing to keep the three monastic robes, alms bowl, and walking stick; precept against farming without seeking clean water and proper dry land; precept against using unfair measures in trade; precept against engaging in sexual desire at improper places and times; precept against merchants evading official taxes; precept against violating national laws; precept against failing to offer new food first to the Three Jewels; precept against teaching the Dharma without permission from the Sangha; precept against walking ahead of the five assemblies; precept against unfairly distributing Sangha food; precept against raising silkworms; and precept against abandoning the sick encountered on the road.