戒行當中又有開、遮、持、犯；有時候應該做，有時候不能做，有時候可以開緣，有時候在開緣當中還有不能做的地方，這都是「戒相」，是我們要學習的地方。簡單歸納，我們因為對戒法的信解，得到了戒體，進而發生作用於我們的身口意，就是戒行，證得中道圓融無礙，是名戒相圓滿。所以佛法講的信、解、行、證，在戒律上都可以用得到。
現在各位來求戒，就在「信」和「解」的階段，所以各位對三寶一定要有恭敬心；惟有恭敬，你才能得到這份法益。接下來就要去思維它，瞭解它，這樣在受戒的時候才能夠得到真正圓宗的戒體。
「戒本」兩個字放在一起，就是說「戒」的誦「本」。我們剛剛說有很多種的菩薩戒，那是不是每一種菩薩戒都有戒本呢？有的有，有的沒有。我們用的菩薩戒戒本，是根據蕅益大師從《優婆塞戒經•受戒品十四》中摘錄出來的。其中一些錯字我們根據大藏經勘正過來了，所以可以說是從蕅益大師所摘錄出來的《優婆塞戒經》的戒本，重新校正過。現在把《在家菩薩戒手冊）的內容介紹一下，方便大家使用這本手冊。
這本手冊的第1到12頁講的是戒文，也就是我們應該持戒的內容，第50頁是基本名相解釋，為了學習和受持的方便，依照在家菩薩戒的性質分為八大類，請看58頁。
第一個是不殺害眾生，這是我們今天要討論的。不殺害眾生有一條重戒和七條輕戒；第二是不盜，有一條重戒和兩條輕戒；第三關於淫欲方面的戒律；第四關於口業；第五關於酒和麻醉藥品；第六個是供養三寶及尊長方面；第七個是恭敬三寶及尊長方面；第八是慈悲方面。大家或許會說，「怎麼第八是慈悲，其他戒都不慈悲嗎？」每一條戒都慈悲，都是佛大慈悲心所流露出來的，只是第八項特別把它列出來。
講到這裡，我們再講第一部份的「殺戒」，有一條重戒和七條輕戒。
我們會有系統地介紹每一大類，從開綠及遮止，還有果報，然後再討論有關的重戒及輕戒項目。之後，我們討論在日常生活上的應用，在身、口、意方面、基本態度方面，和環境方面，我們該如何防護才能保護我們持這些戒。
在本手冊後面，有四種附錄。
附錄一，從146到153頁是上人對戒律的開示，大家應該讀一讀。我們大都是上人的弟子，應該瞭解上人告訴我們如何學習戒法。
附錄二是幫助我們持戒修行的方法。譬如說如何發菩提心，或當我們布施財物時，該如何放下對財物的執著。同時也要知道什麼時候該布施，什麼時候不該布施；學習如何對治我們的憎恨心，因為憎恨心會遏抑我們的慈悲心；如何修四念處觀法及節制我們的欲望，瞭解念佛和持戒的相近關係等等。
附錄三是有關儀規。譬如我們為什麼要誦戒？如何誦戒？譬如受八關齋戒，如果不能到寺廟去求受的話，該怎樣受戒呢？如果犯了戒，應該如何懺悔，這是有關儀規方面的。
待續 |
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Within the precept conduct, there are exceptions, "coverings," upholding and violations. There are instances in which we are supposed to do something and instances in which we are not supposed to do something. There are also exceptions and within these exceptions there are instances in which we cannot do some things. All of these comprise the precept mark, which we have to learn. In short, we obtain the precept substance because we have faith and understanding in the dharma of the precepts. When the precept substance acts upon our body, mouth, and mind, that is known as the precept conduct. And when we achieve the perfect, unobstructed Middle Way, then it is called the perfect precept mark. Thus the principles of faith, understanding, practice, and realization discussed in Buddhism can be used to explain the precepts.
All of you have come here to seek the precepts, and you are in the stage of "faith" and "understanding"; therefore everyone must be reverent toward the Triple Jewel. Only through respect can you benefit from the Dharma. Next, you have to ponder the precepts and understand them. Thus you can obtain the true and perfect substance of the precepts when you receive them.
The Precepts Handbook is a handbook for reciting precepts. We have just said that there are many kinds of Bodhisattva Precepts. Then, is it the case that each kind of the Bodhisattva Precepts has a precepts handbook? Some Bodhisattva Precepts do have a handbook and some do not. The Bodhisattva Precepts Handbook we use is taken from Chapter Fourteen on Receiving Precepts in the Upasaka Precepts Sutra compiled by the Great Master Ou Yi. There is one incorrect word which we have corrected based on the Tripitaka. Therefore it can be said that we have revised the Handbook taken from the Upasaka Precepts Sutra by Great Master Ou Yi. Now we will introduce the contents of the Handbook in order to make it easier for everyone to use.
The text of the precepts that we should receive and uphold are found on pages one through twelve of the handbook. Page fifty has an explanation of the basic terminology. The Lay Bodhisattva Precepts are classified based on their nature into eight categories to make it easier to learn and uphold them. Please refer to page fifty-eight for the eight classifications.
The first category of not killing living beings includes one major precept and seven minor ones. The second category of not stealing has one major precept and two minor ones. The third category concerns lust. The fourth pertains to karma of the mouth. The fifth regards not using intoxicants and drugs; the sixth category is related to making offerings to the Triple Jewel and respecting one's elders and teachers; the seventh category pertains to respecting the Triple Jewel and honoring one's elders; and the eighth discusses kindness and compassion. Someone may say, "Why is the eighth one on compassion? Is it the case that the others do not pertain to compassion?" Each one of the precepts is based on compassion; they issue forth from the great compassionate minds of the Buddhas, it is just that the eighth category specifically pinpoints the principle of compassion.
Now we will discuss the first category of not killing, which contains one major precept and seven minor ones. We will introduce every category in a systematic way, describing the exceptions and prohibitions as well as the retributions; afterwards we will discuss the aspects pertaining to the major and minor precepts. Following that, we will discuss their application to our daily life, in the aspects of body, mouth, mind as well as basic attitude and environment, by which we will learn what we should, to protect these precepts.
There are four appendices in the back of this Handbook.
Appendix One, from page 146 through 153, contains the Venerable Master's instructional talks regarding precepts. Everyone should read it over. Most of us are disciples of the Venerable Master, and we should understand how the Master taught us to study and practice the precepts.
Appendix Two covers methods that aid us in the upholding of precepts. For example, it describes how to bring forth the Bodhi mind; how to give wealth and material goods without attachment; when to give and when not to give; how to counteract thoughts of hatred, because hatred is counterproductive to compassion; how to cultivate the four applications of mindfulness and restrain our desires; how to understand the relationship between reciting the Buddha's name and upholding precepts; and so forth.
Appendix Three deals with the nature of rituals. For instance, why should we recite the precepts? How do we go about reciting? Or in the case of receiving the Eight Vegetarian Precepts, if one cannot go to the monastery to receive them, what alternative ways are there to receive them? When we violate the precepts, how can we repent? All these issues pertain to rituals.
To be continued |
