The Jewelled precepts with the brilliance of Vajra are the original source of all Buddhas, the original source of all Bodhisattvas, and the seed of the Buddha Nature. (BNS I 54)
“The world today is filled with terror. people of all races are in a perpetual state of fear, so that they don't feel safe when they walk about; they can't taste the food they eat; and they can't sleep peacefully. What is the principle behind this? Why has such a state appeared? Those who believe in Buddhism should pay particular attention to the principle governing this phenomenon. It is because the evil offenses and evil karma that people are creating are filling up the heavens. Each person keeps creating more karma and never makes an attempt to eradicate the karma that they have amassed. Everyone has committed the karma of killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, taking intoxicants (alcohol, recreational drugs, cigarettes), and lying. It is simply because people do not maintain and uphold the precepts which govern these five actions that slowly, bit by bit, the karma accumulates. When the karma from killing living beings becomes Great enough, the energy of animosity will completely fill up a Great world system of a billion worlds.” (TT 58)
The Buddha said: “My disciples may be several thousand miles away from me, but if they remember my precepts, they will certainly obtain the fruits of the way.
“If those who are by my side do not follow my precepts, they may see me constantly, but in the end they will not obtain the way.” (S42 74)
Now it is not thus [by the display of various heavenly offerings], Ananda, that the Tathagata is rightly honored, reverenced, venerated, held sacred
or revered. But the brother or sister, the devout man or woman, who continually fulfills all the Greater and lesser duties, who is correct in life, walking according to the precepts–it is he who rightly honors, reverences, venerates, holds sacred, and reveres the Tathagata with the worthiest homage. Therefore, O Ananda, be ye constant in the fulfillment of the Greater and of the lesser duties, and be ye correct in life, walking according to the precepts; and thus Ananda, should it be taught. (Dialogues of the Buddha II 150-151)
”'precepts' refer to rules and regulations. Their purpose is:
To stop evil andavoid misdeeds.
Not to do any evil,
But to offer up all good conduct.
precepts include:
The Five Precepts (for lay people).
The eight precepts (for lay people).
The ten precepts (for Novices).
The Ten Major and Forty-Eight minor Bodhisattva precepts (for both left-home and lay people).
The 250 Bhikshu Precepts.
All of those precepts are to tell you not to do any evil but to offer up all good conduct. YOu should hold the precepts purely and not go against them.“ (FAS Ch16 33-34)
Before the God Brahma, Lord of the Brahma Heaven of the pure world of form (see entry for Three Worlds), is suspended a circular net curtain as an adornment. In each hole of the curtain a Pearl is found. Each Pearl both reflects all other Pearls and shines its light on all the other Pearls. The result is an incredible display of Infinite interreflected light.
The net curtain can be understood analogically. It stands for one's own body and mind. Each hole in the netting represents a particular Outflow of one's vital energy. Each Pearl represents a moral precept. To the extent that one keeps the Moral Precepts, the Pearls emit light and illuminate one's own body and mind and also those of all other living beings.
Just before the Buddha entered Nirvana he said to the Venerable Ananda:
It may be, Ananda, that in some of you the thought might arise, “The word of the Master is ended, we have no Teacher more!” But it is not thus, Ananda, that you should regard it. The Truths, and the Rules of the Order, which I have set forth and laid down for you all, let them, after I am Gone, be Teacher for you. (Dialogues of the Buddha II 171)
1) Chinese: jye , jye lyu ; Sanskrit: 2) sila, siksapada; 3) Pali sila, sikkhapada; 4) Alternate translations: precepts, moral regulations.
See Also: Five Precepts, faith.
BTTS References: SV; BNS I & II; TT 117, 132; FAS Ch16 33-35; FAS Ch11 27; FAS Ch22 15-27; FAS Ch26(2) 5-6; SS I 12, 47; SS III]] 109; SS VI]] 9; SS VII]] 107-108; S42 76.