The Function of the Precept Body in the Five Precepts

The Three Refuges are not equivalent to receiving the Five Precepts. Receiving the precepts entails the precept substance, whereas taking refuge does not grant the precept substance of the Five Precepts. The precept substance serves to prevent violations, and it is also protected by guardian spirits of the precepts. It enables one to ward off transgressions and cease evil actions, thereby avoiding or reducing the karmic retribution of unwholesome deeds, leading to swift progress in spiritual practice. If one violates the precepts immediately after receiving them, it indicates that the precept substance was not attained. The reason for failing to attain the precept substance is that one's own karmic offenses have not been purified through repentance. During the precept-receiving ceremony, obscurations obstruct the process. It is necessary to repent and purify oneself again before receiving the precepts anew, repeating the process until the precept substance is attained.

If the master who confers the precepts has violated the precepts themselves and lost the precept substance, then one will also fail to attain the precept substance when receiving them from that master. Therefore, to ensure reliability, it is advisable to receive the precepts multiple times. If the precept-conferring master possesses good cultivation and virtuous conduct, they will receive the support of the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Dharma-protecting deities. Consequently, during the precept-conferral, the blessing power will be great, the spiritual response will be profound, and the transformation after receiving the precepts will be significant, leading to rapid advancement on the path.