文／佛光星雲（1927~）

受戒其實才是真自由，戒的意義是不侵犯別人，如果大家都來受戒、守戒，彼此互不侵犯，每個人的生命、財產、家庭、事業都能得到保障；相反的，不受戒而犯了殺、盜、淫、妄、酒(吸毒)，不但傷害別人，自己也因此鎯鐺下獄，失去自由。因此，受戒其實是──

1.我自由、他自由，大家都自由。

2.我安全、他安全，大家都安全。

3.我歡喜、他歡喜，大家都歡喜。

4.我健全、他健全，大家都健全。

5.我受用、他受用，大家都受用。

6.我得度、他得度，大家都得度。

──選自《人間佛教系列》等

The Significance of Observing Precepts

Venerable Master Hsing Yun (1927 - )

English translation: Ven. Zhi Yue and Siew-Hsiang Chow

To observe precepts is to have true freedom as a result of not harming others. To take and uphold the precepts is to refrain from infringing upon others’ rights, protecting everyone’s lives, wealth, families, and careers as a result. Killing, stealing, having sexual misconduct, lying, and taking intoxicants are the opposite of the precepts; these actions harm others and also result in our own loss of freedom by ending up in jail.

Therefore, observing precepts truly results in:

1. Freedom for all,

for both oneself and others.

2. Safety for all,

for both oneself and others.

3. Happiness for all,

for both oneself and others.

4. Wholesomeness for all,

for both oneself and others.

5. Benefit for all,

for both oneself and others.

6. Liberation for all,

for both oneself and others.

── from Renjian Fojiao Xilie

(Humanistic Buddhism Series)and others