The Function of the Precept Substance of the Five Precepts

Taking the Three Refuges does not mean receiving the Five Precepts. When one receives the precepts, one obtains the precept substance (戒体); taking refuge does not confer the precept substance of the Five Precepts. The precept substance has the function of restraining one from violating the precepts, and there are also precept-guarding deities who protect it, enabling one to prevent wrongdoing and stop evil, to receive less of the retributive results of evil karma, and to progress quickly in cultivation. If one violates the precepts right after receiving them, it shows that one did not obtain the precept substance. The reason for not obtaining the precept substance is that one's own karmic offenses have not been purified through repentance; there were obstructions at the time of receiving the precepts. One needs to repent and purify oneself anew and then receive the precepts again, until the precept substance is obtained.

If the master who transmits the precepts to you has himself violated the precepts and lost the precept substance, then you will not obtain the precept substance by receiving them from him. Therefore, to be on the safe side, one may receive the precepts several times. If the precept-transmitting master cultivates well and has fine virtue, then the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Dharma-protecting deities will support him well; at the time of receiving the precepts, the power of blessing is great, the responsive resonance is strong, the change after receiving the precepts is significant, and one's progress on the Path advances relatively quickly.