English
English version: 'What I practice.' If a Bhikshu (monk) is overly attached to these three things and says, 'This is what I am attached to.' The fourth is claiming, 'I always maintain an equal mind,' yet fearing birth and death. This is a Shramana (ascetic) boasting about their adherence to precepts. The Buddha said to Kashyapa (one of the principal disciples of the Buddha): 'Precepts have no form, are not attached to the three realms (three realms: desire realm, form realm, formless realm), are impermanent, without self, without person, without life, without intention, without name or title, without transformation, without a teacher, with no coming from anywhere, no going from anywhere, without form, without extinction, the body commits no offense, the mouth commits no offense, the mind commits no offense, not belonging to the world, cannot be calculated, not dwelling on worldly affairs, neither having precepts nor thoughts, nor decay. This is what is called true precepts.' At that time, the Buddha said: 'Precepts have no flaws or attachments. One who holds precepts has no anger, is stable in mind, and walks the path to liberation. This is holding precepts. Not loving the body, not loving life, nor delighting in the five paths (five paths: hell, hungry ghosts, animals, humans, gods), fully understanding and entering the Buddha's path, this is holding precepts. Neither in the middle nor on the edge, not attached nor transformed, like the wind in the empty sky, this is holding precepts. This is what is called a person without lineage having a steadfast mind, without attachment and without self, having the appearance of a Deva (god). One who understands these principles is truly purely holding precepts, not changing the precepts, not being arrogant, always desiring to guard the path and hold precepts. Is there anyone who can pass beyond like this without existence? There is no such person who believes in emptiness, follows the Buddha's teachings without being defiled, entering from the darkness of the world into the light, not dwelling anywhere, nor attached to the three realms. This is the Dharma (law) of precepts.' After the Buddha spoke this Dharma of precepts, thirty-three thousand Devas (gods) and people all attained the Srotaapanna (stream-enterer) path (Srotaapanna: the first of the four stages of enlightenment in Theravada Buddhism), and eight hundred Shramanas (ascetics) understood the Dharma through this cause and attained liberation, practicing wisdom in this way. 'The Sutra of Kashyapa's Precepts Spoken by the Buddha' --------------------------------------------------------------------------------