略說持戒(Brief Discussion on Observing Precepts)

持戒的部分有分在家居士跟出家眾

出家眾的戒條以波羅提木叉為主

這部分有興趣的可自行去網路搜尋

在家的居士通常以五戒為主

也有人會在特定日子持八戒

五戒主要是殺、盜、淫、妄、酒

殺生的定義為在身、語、意上做出努力要斷絕生命

該生命因此而斷絕

因此在網上謾罵而導致對象自殺是犯戒，須注意

其中需特別注意的是殺父、殺母、殺阿羅漢

現代人要有福份遇到阿羅漢是很不容易的事

但還是要謹慎

殺父、殺母的部分則是要注意在父母臨終前

若因為其病痛而代其告知醫生放棄治療

或是告知病人所有事都已辦妥可以安心離去

這類言行都是犯殺業，需特別慎重

較佳的作法是請其憶念所做過的善事轉移注意力減輕疼痛

直到臨終

若父母修習佛法且具有觀智及定力此時是最佳證果的時機

切不可在此時忘失正念(名色非我、無常、苦、無我)

偷盜的定義是拿取任何不屬於自己之物

淫對在家居士而言，可將其視為對伴侶之外的對象做淫事

妄語這部分以現在人的生活型態

基本上是一講話就可以算破戒了

真要講話主要以討論佛經內容和禪修為主較不易犯戒


酒的部分包含了麻醉品，值得注意的是，若是為了醫療用是被允許的


對於戒詳細的定義有興趣者可參考律藏中的比丘戒


持戒一時有持戒一時的功效

若因定力不足而破戒，記得悔過後再繼續受戒持戒

一時破戒不應自暴自棄，而一破再破

佛經中獵鹿鬼的記載說明了持戒和破戒各自的果報

望行者莫忘失正念，知迷即離

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Observing precepts differs for lay practitioners and monastics. Monastics follow the rules of the Pātimokkha, which can be explored further online for those interested.

For lay practitioners, the five precepts are typically observed, with some choosing to observe the eight precepts on specific days. The five precepts are: refraining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, false speech, and intoxicants.

The Five Precepts

1. Refraining from Killing (Pāṇātipātā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi):

   • The definition involves intentional effort through body, speech, or mind to terminate a life, resulting in the death of that being.
   • For example, causing someone to commit suicide through online harassment is a violation of this precept.
   • Special attention is given to the killing of parents or Arahants, which is considered a grave offense. Modern encounters with Arahants are rare, but caution is still advised.
   • Regarding parents, actions such as advising doctors to cease treatment due to their suffering or reassuring them that everything is taken care of so they can let go, may be considered violations of the precept. Instead, encouraging them to recollect their good deeds to divert their attention and alleviate pain until their passing is recommended. If parents practice Buddhism and possess insight and concentration, this is the best time for them to attain fruition. It is crucial not to lose right mindfulness (nāma-rūpa as non-self, impermanent, and suffering) at this time.

2. Refraining from Stealing (Adinnādāna veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi):

   • This precept is violated by taking anything that does not belong to oneself.

3. Refraining from Sexual Misconduct (Kāmesumicchācāra veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi):

   • For lay practitioners, this generally refers to engaging in sexual acts with anyone other than one's partner.

4. Refraining from False Speech (Musāvāda veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi):

   • Given modern lifestyles, breaking this precept can be very easy. To avoid violations, conversations should ideally focus on discussing Buddhist scriptures and meditation.

5. Refraining from Intoxicants (Surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi):

   • This includes avoiding narcotics. However, medicinal use is permitted.

For a detailed understanding of these precepts, one can refer to the Bhikkhu Patimokkha in the Vinaya Pitaka.

Observing precepts even for a short time has its benefits. If one breaks a precept due to insufficient concentration, they should repent and resume observing the precepts. Breaking a precept should not lead to despair or further violations. The story of the hunter and the deer in the scriptures illustrates the respective outcomes of observing and breaking precepts.

Practitioners should always maintain right mindfulness and, upon recognizing delusion, should immediately abandon it.