When Can One Self-Pledge to Receive Precepts?

Question: If one vows to receive precepts on their own, silently upholds them, or mentally requests precepts from the Buddha without seeking them from a precept-transmitting master, does this count as receiving precepts? If one breaks the precepts, will there be the offense of breaking precepts? When one has almost no violations through self-discipline, is it acceptable to then go to a precept-transmitting master to receive the precepts?

Answer: Although one may mentally request precepts from the Buddha, if there is no formal request for or reception of precepts, and no Buddhas, bodhisattvas, or Dharma-protecting deities come to bestow the precepts, then it does not count as receiving or attaining the precepts. Upholding precepts without having formally received and attained them is not considered true precept-upholding, but it still generates blessings and virtue. Upholding precepts carries the blessings and merits of the precepts; without the precepts, one lacks this specific blessing and merit of precept-upholding.

When one has restrained their behavior and feels confident in upholding the precepts without violation, they should go to a monastic community to seek the transmission of precepts, because precepts must be sought and received from the presence of the Sangha Jewel. The Bodhisattva Precepts for lay practitioners may be transmitted by ordained lay practitioners. If there are no Sangha Jewels within a forty-mile radius, one may take the precepts by self-pledge before the Buddha. Self-pledged precept reception also requires a formal ceremony; the Buddhas and bodhisattvas will secretly come to bestow the precepts. The purer the precept conduct of the transmitter, the easier it is for the recipient to attain the precept substance, and the higher the quality of the precepts. If the transmitter breaks the precepts and lacks the precept substance, their transmission is ineffective, and the recipient does not attain the precepts. Since the precepts were not attained, there can be no talk of breaking them.

Question: How can one repent to eliminate karmic obstacles quickly?

Answer: For those who have committed unwholesome karmic actions, whose physical, verbal, and mental actions are improper, public repentance eliminates karmic obstacles quickly. For those with heavy verbal karma, public repentance makes it less likely to reoffend. Subduing the mind causes physical, verbal, and mental actions to gradually become pure; defilements gradually transform into purity. Associating extensively with good teachers and virtuous friends brings great benefit. Avoiding association with false teachers, harmful friends, and negative companions ensures that wholesome dharmic wealth only increases, never decreases. Associate with noble people, not petty ones, unless one has the ability to transform and guide petty individuals. If one obeys petty people, one will quickly become petty oneself.

After making a mistake, repenting to the specific person involved (between the two parties) versus repenting before the public have entirely different effects. Repenting before the public eliminates more karmic obstacles, faster, because once the fault is known by others, it is equivalent to receiving retribution. The more people who know, the greater the retribution received, and simultaneously, the greater the restraint upon oneself, thus eliminating karma quickly. Another method is repentance before the Buddha, but for most people, repentance before the Buddha has little effect because they do not genuinely perceive the Buddha as present before them, hence the sincerity is insufficient. Repentance before the public is most effective for swift reform; the more one is reproached, the faster the karma is eliminated. Therefore, everyone should speak matters openly, not behind others' backs. Speaking behind backs is not candid and carries the suspicion of spreading gossip, which hinders others from knowing and correcting their mistakes and also burdens them with karma. Speaking openly and honestly allows others to become aware and reform, and one gains blessings thereby.

Those who wish to achieve great things must be strict with themselves and not easily overlook their own shortcomings. Once certain principles are mentally overcome, nothing is a problem. A selfless person has a heart that is open and light; nothing is a big deal, and face is unimportant. Being strict with oneself is not bad. Refuse to tolerate any impurity in your eyes; do not permit your own mistakes, especially those arising from greed, hatred, and delusion.