King Suddhodana Requested the Buddha to Expound the Characteristics of the Five Precepts

Original Text: Thus have I heard. At one time the Buddha was in Kapilavastu. At that time, King Śuddhodana came to where the Buddha was. He prostrated himself with his head at the Buddha's feet, reverently joined his palms, and addressed the Buddha, saying: "I wish to make a request for my own salvation. I beseech the World-Honored One, in your compassion, to grant my wish." The Buddha said: "Your wish may be granted. I shall comply with the king's request."

Explanation: I (Ānanda) personally heard the Buddha say this: At a certain time, the Buddha was in Kapilavastu. King Śuddhodana came to the Buddha's dwelling. Prostrating himself with his head touching the Buddha's feet, he reverently joined his palms and said to the Buddha: "I wish to request the Dharma to seek salvation for myself. I only hope the World-Honored One will compassionately fulfill my wish." The Buddha said: "I can fulfill your wish, complying with the king's request."

Original Text: King Śuddhodana addressed the Buddha, saying: "The World-Honored One has already established precepts, both major and minor, for bhikṣus, bhikṣuṇīs, śrāmaṇeras, and śrāmaṇerikās. I beseech the Tathāgata to likewise delineate for us upāsakas the five precepts, specifying which violations are permissible to repent and which are not, so that we may recognize the characteristics of the precepts and be free from doubt." The Buddha said: "Excellent, excellent, Gotama! It was originally in my mind, and I have long wished to explain the five precepts in detail for upāsakas. If there is a virtuous man who receives and upholds them without violation, by this cause and condition, he will attain Buddhahood. If there is one who violates them and does not repent, he will constantly dwell in the three wretched realms."

Explanation: King Śuddhodana said to the Buddha: "World-Honored One, you have already established major and minor precepts for the monastic community—bhikṣus, bhikṣuṇīs, śrāmaṇeras, and śrāmaṇerikās. I hope the Tathāgata will also point out for us, the lay disciples (upāsakas), which violations of the five precepts are permissible to repent and which are not permissible, so that we can recognize the characteristics of the precepts and be free from doubt." The Buddha said: "Excellent, excellent! Gotama, I originally had it in mind; I have long wished to explain the characteristics of the five precepts in detail for upāsakas. If a virtuous man receives and upholds them without violation, through this cause and condition, he will in the future accomplish the Buddha Way. If one violates them and does not repent, he will constantly remain in the three wretched realms (three evil destinies)."

Original Text: After the Buddha had expounded various teachings to King Śuddhodana, the king, having heard the Dharma, approached, bowed at the Buddha's feet, circumambulated the Buddha, and departed. Because of this cause and condition, the Buddha addressed the bhikṣus, saying: "I now wish to explain to the upāsakas the gravity of precept violations, distinguishing those which are permissible and those which are impermissible to repent." The bhikṣus all said: "So be it. We are eager to hear."

Explanation: The Buddha expounded various teachings to King Śuddhodana. After King Śuddhodana heard the essential Dharma, he approached, prostrated at the Buddha's feet, circumambulated the Buddha, and departed. The Buddha related this cause and condition to the bhikṣus, saying: "I now wish to explain to the upāsakas the gravity of precept violations and the distinction between violations that are permissible and those that are impermissible to repent after they are committed." All the bhikṣus said together: "Excellent, we all wish to hear."