What is the Difference in the Retribution of Evil Karma Between Observing the Five Precepts and Not Observing Them?

All evil karma arises from malicious and afflicted mental states, stemming from unwholesome dispositions; thus, they inherently carry innate offenses. The retribution for innate offenses remains the same regardless of whether one has taken precepts or not. Because sentient beings are all afflicted by greed, hatred, delusion, and inherent obstructions, they undergo evil retributions within the cycle of rebirth in the six paths, with the vast majority falling into the three evil paths. Those who have not taken precepts, when committing evil karma, do not violate precepts; they bear no disciplinary offense but only suffer the retribution for innate offenses, not the retribution for disciplinary offenses. Those who have taken precepts, upon committing evil karma, must endure not only the retribution for innate offenses but also the retribution for disciplinary offenses.

For example, even if someone has not taken the Five Precepts, killing another person will still result in falling into hell to undergo retribution for the evil deed. After emerging from hell, upon encountering the person they killed, they must repay that life. Killing animals follows the same principle—both incur the offense of killing, requiring retribution and repayment of life. The same applies to committing other evil deeds: one must endure the corresponding retribution. However, those who have taken precepts and commit the same evil karma bear an additional retribution for the disciplinary offense, because willful violation itself constitutes disrespect for the precepts and thus incurs guilt. Willful violation, compared to unintentional violation, involves heavier afflictions and therefore results in more severe retribution. The same principle applies to virtuous deeds: those who have not taken the Five Precepts but whose bodily, verbal, and mental actions align with the Five Precepts, possessing a benevolent disposition, will receive virtuous retributions, gaining blessings and joy. Moreover, the sentient beings they benefit will reciprocate with corresponding benefits. Those who have taken precepts and perform virtuous deeds gain additional meritorious retributions from upholding the precepts, such as obtaining human rebirth, ascending to heavenly realms to enjoy blessings, and so forth.