Intrinsic Wrongdoings and Offenses Against the Precepts

Question: The premise of breaking precepts should be that one has already received the precepts. If one has not received the precepts, is there still such a thing as breaking precepts?

Answer: "Breaking" means to destroy. If one has not received the precepts, there is no talk of breaking them, but those with heavy evil karma may still suffer obstructions. If one violates a grave precept, one must repent earnestly and sincerely; only by seeing auspicious signs can the evil karma be eliminated. It is necessary to receive the precepts anew. One can still be reborn in the land of bliss (Sukhāvatī), as long as there is no obstruction at the time of death. If at the final moment of death a single thought arises in which the realm of evil karma appears in the mind, one will immediately undergo evil retribution in accordance with that evil karma. Before death, one must purify the thoughts in one's mind; only when no scattered thoughts arise can one avoid falling into the three evil destinies.

Attaining the direction of the first fruit and the first fruit can also extinguish karmic offenses. The fear is that karmic obstructions may block one from attaining the direction of the first fruit. The Buddha expounded the true reality to his own disciples who had violated grave precepts and committed serious offenses, teaching them that the five aggregates (pañcaskandha) are false and illusory; those disciples not only extinguished their offenses but also realized the true reality.

Before the Bodhisattva Yongshi was enlightened, he had violated the precept against sexual misconduct and had committed the offense of instigating murder. When the Buddha expounded the Mahāyāna principle of non-arising, he was enlightened and realized the true reality. King Ajātaśatru killed his father; the Buddha taught him that the five aggregates are illusory and unreal, thereby extinguishing the king's extremely grave offenses, and he attained the faith with no root, but did not attain the direction of the first fruit, because his offenses were too great. If the Buddha had not expounded the Dharma to him, he might not even have been able to attain the faith with no root. However, if King Ajātaśatru had killed his mother, then his offenses might not necessarily have been extinguished, and he would not have been able to attain the faith with no root.

After receiving the precepts, if one violates them, there is a nature-based offense, that is, an offense against the nature of mind, as well as a precept-offense, the offense of violating the precepts. For those who have not received the precepts, there is only the obstruction of the nature-based offense. But if one does not receive the precepts, the precepts are not complete, the practice of the Path cannot advance, and it will obstruct the realization of the fruits and the awakening to the true mind and the seeing of one's nature.