Natural Offenses and Transgressions Against Precepts

Question: The premise of breaking precepts should be having already taken them. If one has not taken the precepts, does the concept of breaking them still apply?

Answer: "Breaking" means to violate. Without having taken the precepts, the term "breaking" does not apply. However, those with heavy negative karma still face obstructions. If one violates a major precept, earnest repentance is required, and one must witness auspicious signs to eliminate the negative karma. It is necessary to retake the precepts. One can still be reborn in the Land of Ultimate Bliss, provided there are no obstructions at the time of death. If, at the moment of death, the manifestation of negative karma arises in the mind, one will immediately follow that karma and suffer its retribution. Before death, one must purify the thoughts in the mind, ensuring no distracting thoughts arise, to avoid falling into the three lower realms.

Attaining the path toward the first fruit (Sotāpatti-magga) or the first fruit itself (Sotāpanna) can also eradicate sins. The fear is that karmic obstructions may prevent one from attaining the path toward the first fruit. The Buddha taught the truth of reality (dharmatā) and the illusory nature of the five aggregates to his disciples who had committed major precept violations or grave offenses. These disciples not only eradicated their sins but also realized the truth of reality.

Before the Bodhisattva Yuñjika attained enlightenment, he violated the precept against sexual misconduct and instigated murder. The Buddha expounded the principle of the unborn in Mahayana, upon which he awakened and realized the truth of reality. King Ajātaśatru killed his father; the Buddha taught him the illusory and unreal nature of the five aggregates, thereby eradicating his extremely heavy offense. He attained "faith without roots" (mūlāśraddhā) but did not attain the path toward the first fruit because his sin was too grave. Had the Buddha not taught him, he might not even have attained "faith without roots." However, if King Ajātaśatru had killed his mother, it might not have been possible to eradicate his sin, nor would he have attained "faith without roots."

After taking precepts and then violating them, there is inherent sin (sin arising from the nature of the mind) and also the disciplinary offense (the transgression against the precepts). For those who have not taken the precepts, there is only the inherent sin causing obstruction. However, without taking the precepts, the discipline remains incomplete, hindering progress on the path and obstructing the attainment of fruition (phala) and the realization of the mind's true nature.