Commentary on the Biweekly Bodhisattva Precepts Recitation Ceremony

Mahāprabhāvana

This recitation format's author is unknown. Examining its contents, it extensively draws from the *Bodhisattva Precepts Sutra* and the *Sarvāstivāda Precepts Sutra*. The *Bodhisattva Precepts Sutra* was translated by the Northern Liang dynasty's Dharmarakṣa, while the *Sarvāstivāda Precepts Sutra* was translated in the fourth year of the Jinglong era of the Tang dynasty by the Tripitaka Master Yijing, following an imperial decree. The preface to these precepts mentions "during the age of the semblance Dharma." This refers to the thousand years after the Buddha's parinirvana when the teachings spread to China. From Emperor Ming of the Han dynasty to the Xīn-Mǎo year of Emperor Renzong of the Song dynasty, the teachings were transmitted to this land for a thousand years, known as the age of the semblance Dharma. After this period, it is called the age of the decline of the Dharma. Since it states "during the age of the semblance Dharma," it clearly indicates it was not composed during the age of the decline of the Dharma. The precepts were translated later and were not compiled during the Tang dynasty. It is likely that this was compiled by a Tiantai practitioner during the late Tang or early Song dynasty.

The assembly shall select a capable person to recite. Once the assembly has gathered, first offer incense and praises, then chant three times:

Next, we recite the opening verse of the sutra. The reciter ascends the seat and addresses the assembly, saying:

I bow with reverence and greet the assembly. Humbly I announce to all: having been appointed by the Sangha to recite the precepts, I fear there may be errors or omissions. I earnestly ask those reciting together: with compassion, please point out any mistakes.