How to Observe the Eight Precepts

The original text from the Sixteenth Volume of the Ekottara Āgama, "The Banner Chapter": The World-Honored One addressed the bhikkhus: "There are three days of fasting practice within the fifteen days. What are the three? The eighth day, the fourteenth day, and the fifteenth day. How does one uphold the Eight Precepts with Fasting on the fifteenth day?" At that time, the bhikkhus said to the World-Honored One: "The Tathāgata is the King of all dharmas, the Seal of all dharmas. We beseech the World-Honored One to expound this meaning for the bhikkhus. Having heard it, the bhikkhus will respectfully practice it."

Explanation: The World-Honored One told the bhikkhus: Within the first fifteen days of each month, there are three days for fasting practice. What are the three fasts? The eighth, fourteenth, and fifteenth days are these three fast days. How does one uphold the method of the Eight Precepts with Fasting during these fifteen days? At this time, the bhikkhus addressed the World-Honored One: The Tathāgata is the King of all dharmas, the Seal of all dharmas. We hope the World-Honored One will expound this Dharma meaning for the bhikkhus. After hearing it, the bhikkhus should all respectfully practice the Dharma meaning.

The Eight Precepts with Fasting can be received on any day. One can receive them consecutively for seven days or for a full month. They can be received through self-pledge before the Buddha. This adds three precepts to the foundation of the Five Precepts, making eight precepts. Regarding the precept against sexual misconduct, while the Five Precepts permit proper sexual conduct within marriage, the Eight Precepts prohibit any form of sexual activity. For those who have taken the Five Precepts, the first five precepts of the Eight Precepts with Fasting should be upheld daily, while the latter three precepts are to be upheld specifically when observing the Eight Precepts with Fasting.

The precept against sitting or lying on high and broad beds was established to prevent Buddhist disciples from generating any arrogance. Arrogance increases self-view and self-attachment, thereby strengthening the bonds of birth and death. The precept against eating after noon was established to help Buddhist disciples eat less, purify their minds, and develop the wisdom to enter the path and attain liberation. The precept against adorning oneself with garlands, perfumes, or cosmetics was established to help Buddhist disciples sever attachment to the body and self-view, and to cease clinging to the form of the physical body. The Five Precepts, Eight Precepts, Śrāmaṇera Precepts, Śrāmaṇerikā Precepts, Bhikkhu Precepts, and Bhikkhunī Precepts established by the Buddha are all meant to help Buddhist disciples eradicate self-view, eliminate afflictions, and attain liberation. These precepts are also called "pratimokṣa" (individual liberation) precepts. By upholding each precept, one is liberated from a portion of bondage.

Original text: The World-Honored One said: "Listen carefully, listen well, and reflect upon it mindfully. I shall explain it to you in detail. Bhikkhus, if there are virtuous men or virtuous women who, on the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month, when it is time for reciting the precepts and observing the fast, come before the fourfold assembly, they should say this: 'Today, on this fast day, I wish to uphold the Eight Precepts with Fasting. I beseech the Venerable One to bestow them upon me.' At that time, the fourfold assembly should teach them and recite the Eight Precepts with Fasting. First, instruct them to say this: 'Virtuous man, you should state your name aloud.' After they have stated their name, then recite the Eight Precepts with Fasting for them."

Explanation: The World-Honored One told the bhikkhus: Listen carefully, listen well, and reflect upon it mindfully. I am about to explain it to you in detail. Bhikkhus, if there are virtuous men or virtuous women who, on the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the lunar month, when it is time for explaining the precepts and observing the fast, come before the fourfold assembly and publicly declare: "On this fast day today, I wish to receive and uphold the Eight Precepts with Fasting. I earnestly request the Venerable One to confer the Eight Precepts with Fasting upon me." At that time, the Venerable One will personally transmit the Eight Precepts with Fasting to them within the fourfold assembly. First, instruct the seeker of the precepts to say this: "Virtuous man, you should state your Dharma name aloud." After the seeker has stated their name, the Venerable One will then transmit the Eight Precepts with Fasting to them.

If one wishes to receive the Eight Precepts with Fasting, one must request them from an ordained monastic. This is called "seeking the precepts." Precepts are obtained from the Three Jewels, specifically from the Saṅgha Jewel among the Three Jewels. They must be conferred by an ordained monastic to obtain the precept substance (戒体). Laypeople absolutely cannot substitute for ordained monastics in performing the precept-conferring ceremony. Otherwise, it constitutes overstepping authority and position, stealing the authority and position [of the Saṅgha], committing the offense of stealing from the Three Jewels. Moreover, laypeople cannot possibly invite the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Dharma-protecting deities to confer the precepts and bear witness to the reception of precepts. The same applies to the Three Refuges and Five Precepts – all should be received from ordained monastics; laypeople cannot usurp this role. Furthermore, if ordained monastics are available to confer the precepts, one cannot perform self-pledge before the Buddha, bypassing the ordained monastics, otherwise the precept substance will not be obtained. Only in places where no ordained monastics are present can one receive the Eight Precepts with Fasting through self-pledge.