The eight rings are the eight fasts.

The Eight Passes of Fasting can be explained from eight aspects: types, differences, preceptors, recipients, time of taking precepts, ways of taking precepts, learning and merit:

1. Type

There are four types of fasting: the first is the eight fasting fasts of the Human and Heavenly Vehicle; the second is the eight fasting fasts of the Hinayana; the third is the eight fasting fasts of the Sutra Mahayana; The four types are the eight fasts of Tantra.

2. The differences between various eight-pass fasts

The eight-pass fasts of the world, Hinayana and Mahayana sutras are all based on refuge. Without taking refuge, you cannot obtain the Eight Passes of Fasting.

The "Kusashastra" makes it very clear that there are two situations of not taking refuge: the first is that one has no faith in the Three Jewels, so one is not exempted from the refuge precept; the second is that one has faith in the Three Jewels , but when taking the eight precepts, he did not know that he had to take the refuge precepts before, or he forgot to take the refuge precepts. The first type of people will not receive any eight fasts.

The difference between them lies in the motivation:

(1) In order to obtain some small profits, health, longevity, etc. in this world, or for the next life Not falling into the hells, rebirths, or the realm of hungry ghosts, but receiving blessings from humans and heavens. Accepting and upholding the Eight Fasting Precepts in this way is the Eight Fasting Precepts in the world. Although the eight precepts in the world have the basis of refuge, so they do not belong to the precepts of heretics, nor do they belong to the precepts of salvation. The result is only worldly blessings. Because all the precepts of separation and liberation must have renunciation. If there is no renunciation, even if one takes the monk's vows, the novice vows and other monastic vows, it cannot be called the precepts of liberation and cannot be the cause of liberation.

(2) Accepting and observing the eight fasting precepts on the basis of refuge and renunciation, but without bodhicitta, which is the eight fasting precepts of Theravada.

(3) Accepting and upholding the Eight Precepts on the basis of refuge, renunciation, and bodhicitta is the Mahayana Eight Precepts, which is part of the Bodhisattva Precepts.

Before observing the Eight Precepts, it is very important to be motivated. It is best to have unpretentious renunciation and bodhicitta. If this is not possible, you must also have similar renunciation and bodhicitta.

There are six differences between the first three kinds of eight-pass fasts and the eight-pass fasts of Tantra:

(1) Those who are ordained

The first three eight-pass fasts The fasting precepts can be accepted by lay people, but not by monks. The eight tantric fastings can be accepted by both monks and laypeople.

Because the levels of the monastic precepts are different from the first three eight-pass fasting precepts. On the basis of low-level precepts, one can receive high-level precepts. However, after possessing the high-level precepts, then accepting the lower-level precepts will have two consequences: one is that the precepts will not be obtained; if one obtains the precepts, the original precepts will also be given up at the same time. If a monk takes the first three eight levels of fasting, it is possible to give up the monastic precepts. Therefore, monks cannot accept the first three kinds of fasts.

(2) The person who gives the precepts

When you take the first three eight precepts for the first time, you need to take them in front of a good teacher. It is best to accept the Eight Tantric Fasting Precepts in front of a good teacher, but if you really can't find it, you can also accept it in front of a Buddha statue.

(3) Motivation

The first two eight precepts do not require bodhicitta, only the refuge precepts and renunciation are enough. The eight levels of fasting in Tantric Buddhism require bodhicitta.

(4) Rituals

In addition to the first three eight-pass fasting rituals, the eight-pass fasting in Tantric Buddhism belongs to the outer esoteric precepts. There are reflections, there are initiations, and there are specific rituals.

(5) Learning Office

Although the eight precepts of the Eight Precepts Fasting are the same, the Eight Precepts Fasting of Tantric Buddhism must be vegetarian, and even the three pure meats cannot be eaten. Before The three eight-pass fasts, especially the first two eight-pass fasts, do not have such a requirement.

(6) Result

The merits of fasting in the Eight Passes of Tantric Buddhism are quite great, and the result is the attainment of Buddhahood. The eight precepts of the Mahayana Sutra can also be the cause of becoming a Buddha because of the bodhicitta. However, the results of the first two eight precepts are only human and heavenly blessings and Arhat status, not the cause of becoming a Buddha.

In addition, there are some differences in details between the eight sutra and esoteric fasts - forbidden words, visualization, food considerations, etc.

3. The person who gives the ordination

Is it necessary for a good teacher to give the ordination when receiving the ordination? Does a good teacher have to be a monk?

There are different views on this issue: The Hinayana Vinaya holds that all eight kinds of liberation precepts need to be received in front of a bhikkhu. However, other Buddhist scriptures also believe that one can take the precepts of salvation in the presence of monks, Brahmins (not heretic Brahmins), or anyone else who is observing the eight precepts and can recite the rituals. In this way, there are two different sayings in the Buddhist scriptures. The Hinayana Sarvastivada supports the view of Vinaya Sutras; while the Hinayana Sutras hold a second view: although to uphold the monastic precepts requires a monk and a monk, the eight precepts do not necessarily have to be received in front of a monk. A good layman imparts the layman's precepts, and those who take the precepts can also obtain the body of the precepts.

The lay people referred to here preferably refer to lay people like Master Marpa or many achievers of the Sakya sect. If there is really no other way and we cannot find a better good teacher, we can also obtain the precepts by taking the precepts in front of ordinary lay people. However, out of respect for the precepts, we still cannot be too hasty and casual.

However, no matter how high one’s attainment is or how good one’s practice is, even a great achiever like Master Marpa, as long as he is a layman, he is not qualified to pass on the monastic precepts.

Although Asanga Bodhisattva's individual treatises also say that one can obtain the precepts by taking the eight Mahayana fasting precepts in front of a Buddha statue without being taught by anyone. But when you actually take the precepts, especially when you take them for the first time, you still need a good teacher.

In terms of precepts, although you can sometimes make theoretical decisions, more often you have to read Buddhist scriptures and do what the Buddha said.

4. Those who have received the precepts

Anyone who has received the lay precepts can take the Eight Precepts of Sutra. When a layman takes this precept, it becomes the "Long Purification Dharma" for lay people. The Long Purity Dharma is also the method of cultivating good and purifying evil. Lay people who have not received lay vows but have taken refuge can also take them, but monks cannot take them.

Both monks and lay people can accept the Eight Passes of Tantric fasting.

5. Time to take the ordination

In the morning, when the hand lines can be seen without the help of any light source, only natural light, and until before sunrise, you can take the ordination. .

Because the Eighth Pass fast only lasts for twenty-four hours, it must be observed at dawn. If the time is delayed until after sunrise, it will not be twenty-four hours, and the Eighth Pass fast will not be complete. .

In addition, Asanga Bodhisattva also formulated an eight-pass fast that can only be observed at night or during the day. For example, if you observe the precepts before going to bed, the precepts will disappear naturally at dawn the next day; or if you observe the precepts at dawn in the morning, and the precepts will disappear naturally at sunset, you can only observe them for one night or twelve hours during the day. The ring. This is also a convenient way to save sentient beings and help them cultivate good roots. The formulation of this precept by Asanga Bodhisattva is based on Buddhist scriptures. We do not need to have any doubts. As long as we accept and uphold it properly, we will definitely obtain the precepts.

But what we are talking about here is to observe the eight-level fast for twenty-four hours, so it must be observed within the time period from when the hand lines can be seen to sunrise.

6. Methods of ordination

The Hinayana generates renunciation and the Mahayana generates bodhicitta, which are the minimum prerequisites. In addition, there are some requirements as follows:

(1) When taking the ordination for the first time in the morning, you cannot eat breakfast before taking the ordination;

(2) Take a shower before taking the ordination. If the conditions are not suitable It is allowed, but you must wash five items - face, hands, and feet.

(3) If you only take the precepts for one day, it is very simple. You only need to recite according to the ritual. If the recipient is one year, two years, five years or a lifetime, each month on the eighth, fifteenth, thirtieth day and other days with special merits and virtues - the tenth, twenty-fifth and twenty-ninth day prescribed by Buddhist scriptures. Or choose any fixed day or days among them. When taking the precepts for the first time, you should make the intention according to your own choice, and then uphold it all at once. From now on, on every fasting day of the month, you only need to recite the rituals and observe them in front of the statue of Sakyamuni Buddha.

If these eight precepts are observed every day for life instead of on certain days of each month, it is not called the Eight Precepts, but becomes a lay precept. Lay people who observe this kind of precepts are called "guomu" lay people.

Jam Zagomu is a very famous commentator, Bodhisattva, and achiever in India. He is a layman who has observed these eight precepts throughout his life, so he is called "Jam Zagomu".

The Sarvastivada believes that it is necessary to take the precepts once and for all. After taking the precepts before breakfast for the first time, you can take the precepts even after eating breakfast on the fasting days of each month; Sutras and Asanga Bodhisattva's discourses I think: In addition to being able to take the precepts after breakfast in the future, it is necessary to take the precepts once and hold them in the future without the need of a good teacher, and you only need to take the precepts in front of the Buddha statue.

(4) When taking the ordination for the first time, if I have this intention: If I receive the wrong day due to the difference between the lunar calendar and the Tibetan calendar, or forget to take the ordination, I can make up for it the next day. I think it should be possible.

Also, in order to avoid the dissatisfaction and misunderstanding of family members, or even the slander of Buddhism, due to taking the ordination on the Mid-Autumn Festival or New Year’s Eve, I made a vow when I took the ordination for the first time: If the Mid-Autumn Festival and New Year’s Eve Since the Tibetan calendar and the lunar calendar fall on the same day, I vowed to take the ordination on the 14th and 29th. Except for these two special days, I took the ordination on the normal days. I think it should be possible.

Although the above-mentioned method of taking ordination cannot find direct teachings from Buddhist scriptures, since the precepts must be determined according to one's own motivation, there should be no problem.

However, if you are not mentally prepared in this way when you take the ordination for the first time, and when things come to a close, you want to change the date of the ordination temporarily, it will definitely not work.

(5) The calculation of the date of ordination is best based on the Tibetan calendar - the calendar calculated based on the Kalachakra calendar. First of all, because the calendar calculation method of Kalachakra was preached by the Buddha. In other words, among all the calendars in the world, only the Tibetan calendar is the Buddhist calendar. The other lunar, solar, and lunar calendars have nothing to do with Buddhism.

Secondly, the calendar calculation method of Kalachakra is also very accurate. Although some reference books say that the Tibetan calendar was first brought to Tibet by Princess Wencheng, and then was influenced by religion. Some days were considered auspicious, so they added one day; days that were considered unlucky were removed, so there will be two. No. 1, No. 3, etc., or no No. 4, No. 5, etc.

But this is not the case. The Tibetan calendar now commonly used in Tibet was not brought in by Princess Wencheng, but calculated based on the Kalachakra.

The reason why a day has one more or one less day is related to the difference between the lunisolar and lunar calendars. Originally, the calendar can be divided into three types: lunar calendar (Islamic calendar), solar calendar (Gregorian calendar), and solar and lunar calendar (Tibetan calendar, etc.). The Tibetan calendar is a lunisolar calendar - a calendar calculated by combining the lunar and solar calendars. Generally speaking, we divide the time between each full moon and the next full moon into thirty equal parts, so that after dividing it, it becomes a day in the lunar calendar. The time between sunrise each day and sunrise the next day is a day in the solar calendar. A day in the lunar calendar is a little shorter than a day in the solar calendar. When the lunar and solar calendars are put together, there will be some discrepancies. When accumulated, there will be one more or one less day.

As we all know, the moon’s orbit around the earth is elliptical, so it has perigee and apogee. When the moon is close to the perigee, the moon's speed will be accelerated due to the influence of gravity, so during this period, the daily time will be shorter. When the moon is close to the apogee, the moon's movement speed will also slow down due to the weakening of gravity, so during this period, each day will be longer. This calendar calculation method is very scientific and completely consistent with modern astronomy. There is no error and there is no such thing as auspicious or unlucky. Therefore, it should be more appropriate to take the ordination according to the Tibetan calendar.

(6) Buddhist scriptures say that when receiving ordination, the position of the person receiving the ordination must be lower than the position of the person giving the ordination. If you are ordained in front of a Buddha statue, the Buddha statue should be placed in a high place and as many offerings as possible - flowers, water, incense, lamps, etc. should be placed in front of the Buddha statue. After setting up the offerings, kowtow three times facing the Buddha statue and the good teacher, then you can put your hands together or cross them, and recite the ritual three times. At the end of the third time, the ordained person will receive the ordination body. The most important thing is to have motivation, one is to send out renunciation and bodhicitta; the other is to swear: from now to tomorrow's sunrise, etc., I must strictly observe the eight fasts.

7. Academic Affairs

(1) Killing

The killing of living beings in the five precepts of lay people refers to killing adults and fetuses; the eight precepts violate the boundaries of killing. In addition to humans, even small creatures such as ants and mosquitoes are included. Because the Eighth Pass fast only lasts for twenty-four hours, the requirements of the precepts are also stricter, and everyone must pay attention to them.

There are two types of ordination rituals: one is the ritual in the Vinaya, and the other is the ritual in other Buddhist scriptures. In the Chinese Tripitaka, it is the "Buddha Speaks of the Eight Fasts Sutra". However, the title of this Tibetan sutra is not "The Buddha Speaks of the Eight Fasts Sutra", and the content is much more detailed than the Chinese version - the Chinese version of "The Buddha Said the Eight Fasts Sutra" omits a lot of the front and back parts Only the middle part of the content is left, just like the "Heart Sutra" translated by Master Xuanzang. In the Tibetan scriptures, there is a ritual, which clearly mentions that this precept refers to not killing, not only not killing, but also all life except human beings.

(2) Not to take it

According to the requirements of the layman’s precepts, even if there is a theft, the value of the stolen item must be considered. Only if it exceeds a few RMB, can the item be stolen. Violating the fundamental precepts; if the value is not enough, it is not considered a violation of the fundamental precepts, but only a violation of the branch precepts. However, the Eight Precepts specify that you cannot steal anything, large or small, and there is no difference in value between breaking the precepts. You cannot steal even a needle, a piece of thread, or a mouthful of rice, so we must be on guard against the slightest mistake.

(3) Sexual immorality

The sexual immorality of the Eight Passes of Fasting is completely different from that of the Lay Buddhist Precepts. Although it is not mentioned in the Chinese version of "Buddha Speaks of the Eight Fasting Sutras", the Tibetan version of this sutra, the Tantric Eight Fasting Precepts, and many other classics mention: When observing the Eight Fasting Precepts, not only must you not engage in sexual misconduct, you must not engage in sexual misconduct. There is no holy life (normal married life), and even deliberately looking at each other out of greed must be avoided.

(4) Lies

The five precepts that violate the boundaries of lying are not all lies, but speaking of the Supreme Being’s Dharma. However, the Eight Precepts require not only that you cannot speak of the Supreme Being’s Dharma, All lies, including jokes, are prohibited. Because there is a reason why the Eight Passes of Fasting is stricter than the Lay Precepts. Even if it is not a violation of the fundamental precept, it is still a precept, so you still have to be careful.

(5) Drinking

In terms of drinking, there is no difference between the eight fasting precepts and the five lay precepts. Among the rituals that require fasting, there are also things that are indulgent, that is, other than wine, as long as it is eaten, it can have the same effect as wine, and things that can make people intoxicated and crazy, including drugs, narcotics, etc. The medicines inside are not to be drunk or eaten. However, if an operation is required on the day of the Baguan fast and anesthesia is required, it is allowed.

(6) Singing, dancing, and dressing up

Although singing, dancing, music, flowers, incense, decorations, and coloring are seven precepts, they are considered one of the eight precepts. Because under normal circumstances, it is normal for lay people to sing, dance, play music, apply incense and dress up, so the Buddha's requirements are relatively loose. During the eight precepts, if you violate all seven precepts, you don’t need to repent one by one. You only need to repent of one. However, among the precepts of monks, many of the eight precepts that are combined together are separate, because the requirements of monks are relatively strict.

During the Eight Passes fast, perfume, lipstick, whitening powder, eyebrow pencil and other cosmetics cannot be used. Moisturizers that protect the skin should be OK. There is no problem in wearing jewelry that you usually wear on the day of fasting, but you cannot wear jewelry that you don’t normally wear but wear it specially on fasting days.

It is also mentioned in the Vinaya that as early as two thousand years ago, India had many cosmetics - lipstick, nail polish, eye shadow, etc., and people today also like to use these things. After using these cosmetics, on the one hand, it will affect the spirit of renunciation, and on the other hand, it will easily lead to arrogance. Therefore, the Buddha explicitly prohibited their use during fasting. Violating the boundaries of this precept is intentionally singing, dancing, applying makeup, etc. When walking on the street, or when family members watch TV or play music, even if the preceptor hears the music, as long as he does not listen to it intentionally, there is no problem. Will violate the precepts. If you have to sing, dance, etc. on the day of observing the precepts due to work reasons, then it is okay to treat it as an offering to the Three Jewels.

(7) High and wide beds

The so-called "high" in the ritual refers to a bed with the foot of the bed higher than one cubit above you. The so-called "wide" in the ritual should be caused by the different understandings of the translators. In the "Buddha Speaks of the Eight Fasts Sutra", "Guang" is not mentioned, but "Good" is mentioned. The so-called good bed or wide bed refers to beds and bedding that are expensive, luxurious and not suitable for ordinary people.

(8) Eating out of season

After noon, you cannot eat solid food and drinks such as milk and yogurt that can satisfy your hunger. You can drink tea and water in the afternoon.

There are two reference methods for the regulation of noon time: one is true solar time. In Chengdu, it's 1:04 pm, but to be conservative, don't eat after one o'clock. As for the noon time in other cities, it can be easily checked online. The other is calculated according to the calendar method of Kalachakra. In the past, His Holiness Karmapa used this method to measure the noon time at Larung Gar. It was 1:18 pm. After deducting the reserved number of three minutes, we generally use 1:15 as noon. The difference between the number measured by His Holiness and the number calculated by modern astronomy is only thirty-six seconds. In Kalachakra, there are many simple, simple and very accurate calculation methods.

8. The merits of observing the Eight Precepts

The Tibetan version of the Buddhist scriptures that preaches the Eight Precepts uses metaphors to describe the merits of the Eight Precepts:< /p>

The first metaphor: Even if the water of the four major rivers such as the Ganges in India can be measured in units of a cup or a drop, the merits of observing the eight fasts a day are immeasurable and inconceivable.

The second metaphor: If Nanzhanbuzhou is full of Arhats, someone will support so many Arhats with all kinds of jewelry, food, clothing, etc. throughout his life. Its merits are not as good as one thousandth, one ten thousandth, or even one hundred thousandth of the merits of observing eight fasts a day.

Anyone who has read the "Hundred Karma Sutra" knows that the merits of offering a fast meal to a real Arahant even once are unimaginable, and the merits of making offerings to Arahants who fill the whole world for a lifetime are even more unimaginable.

In addition, there is also a parable told in many Buddhist scriptures: During one great kalpa after another, a person made offerings to the Buddhas of the ten directions and three generations with all kinds of gold, silver and jewels that filled the three thousand worlds. Compared with the merits of just observing one precept for one day and night in the Age of Dharma Ending, the merits of those who take the precepts far exceed those of the donors.

This metaphor talks about observing only one precept, not the eight precepts. It is conceivable that if you insist on observing the eight precepts of the Eight Passes of Fasting every month, the merits will not be mentioned. If we have renunciation and bodhicitta, how can its merits be measured by ordinary people?

The eight fasting requirements of Tantric Buddhism are relatively high - no speaking, eating once a day, etc. It must be difficult to observe during working hours, so we generally do not teach them. The eight fasts currently taught are the most suitable for everyone.

After observing the precepts, it is very important to make a good dedication. The difference between Mahayana and Hinayana does not lie in the essence of the Dharma. The key lies in the intention and dedication. Even if the ritual is taken from Hinayana classics, whether it is Mahayana or Hinayana still depends on the motivation and dedication, so the motivation in the front and the dedication in the back are of great importance.