八關齋經

Thus have I heard:

At one time the Bhagavān was dwelling in the Jeta Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park, in the country of Śrāvastī. At that time the World-Honored One addressed the bhikṣus:

"Now I shall speak of the Eight-Precept Fast of the Noble Ones. Listen! Listen! Reflect well upon it, for now I shall expound it."

The bhikṣus replied:

"Yes indeed, World-Honored One."

Then the bhikṣus followed the Buddha to receive his instruction. The World-Honored One said: "Bhikṣus, if a man of faith of good lineage or a woman of good lineage wishes to know the Eight-Precept Fast of the Noble Ones, teach them to speak thus:

"Just as the Arhats, throughout their whole lives until death, do not kill, nor do they teach others to kill, having no mind of hatred and resentment, ever embracing a heart of shame and conscience, possessing loving-kindness that cherishes all sentient beings—I, named ..., of the family ..., following the teaching of the Arhats, from this day forward, according to my wish, shall no longer kill, shall have no mind of hatred and resentment, shall ever embrace a heart of shame and conscience, and shall possess loving-kindness that cherishes all sentient beings.

"Just as the Arhats, throughout their whole lives, do not steal, delighting in giving, nor do they teach others to steal, ever delighting to dwell in quiet and tranquil places—thus I, named ..., of the family ..., following the teaching of the Arhats, according to my wish, shall no longer steal, shall ever nurture a mind of giving, and shall delight to dwell in quiet and tranquil places.

"Just as the Arhats, throughout their whole lives, do not practice impure conduct, ever cultivating the holy life, pure and without defilement, finding joy in themselves—thus I, named ..., of the family ..., following the teaching of the Arhats, from this day forward, according to my wish, shall no longer be lustful, but pure and without defilement.

"Just as the Arhats, throughout their whole lives, do not speak falsely, ever speaking true words, the most venerable, the most precious, being the noble elders most exalted in the world—thus I, named ..., of the family ..., following the teaching of the Arhats, from this day forward, according to my wish, shall no longer speak falsely, nor teach others, urging them to practice false speech, but shall ever speak true words, being an elder in the world who does not speak falsely.

"Just as the Arhats also do not drink wine—thus I, named ..., of the family ..., from this day forward, according to my wish, shall also not drink wine, nor shall I teach others to drink wine.

"Just as the Arhats, throughout their whole lives, do not violate the fasting precept, eating at the proper time—thus I, named ..., of the family ..., for this one day and one night, according to my wish, shall also not violate the fasting precept, nor shall I teach others to violate the fasting precept, but shall eat at the proper time.

"Just as the Arhats, throughout their whole lives, do not sit upon high and beautiful beds—thus I, named ..., of the family ..., this day and night shall not sit upon high and broad beds, nor shall I teach others to sit upon them.

"Just as the Arhats, throughout their whole lives, do not practice singing and dancing, amusements, nor wear brocade adornments, nor use fragrances to perfume and anoint the body—this day and night I shall not practice singing and dancing, amusements, nor wear brocade adornments, nor use fragrances to perfume and anoint the body.

"Thus is the cultivation of the Eight-Precept Fast of the Noble Ones; the merit of this Eight-Precept Fast is without limit or measure, and one can only say that it has much blessing, much merit, much blessed reward—nothing more. Thus the merit is exceedingly great, and cannot be told in full.

"Bhikṣus, it is like the waters of the five great rivers all flowing into one place. These are the Gaṅgā, the Yamunā, the Sarabhū, the Aciravatī, and the Mahī; the waters of these rivers are without limit or measure, and one can only speak of how much water there is. As much water as there is in one vessel, as much water as there is in a thousand vessels, in a hundred thousand vessels. So too, the blessing of the Eight-Precept Fast of the Noble Ones cannot be measured or counted; one can only say: how much blessing there is, how much merit there is, how much fruit of reward there is—nothing more. So great is that merit and blessing that it cannot be reckoned."

At that time the bhikṣus, having heard what the Buddha taught, rejoiced and reverently put it into practice.

THE BUDDHA SPEAKS THE SŪTRA OF THE EIGHT-PRECEPT FAST