為什麼要受持五戒？（中英對照）　宣化上人著

◎ 必須向出家人求戒

◎ Precepts should be requested from a left-home person--an ordained monk

持戒就是「諸惡不做，眾善奉行。」戒有多少種呢？有很多種。有五戒--凡是皈依三寶的人，想往前再進步就要受五戒。受五戒後，再往前進步就是受八戒。受八戒後，再受十戒，那就是沙彌（尼）了。

To uphold precepts is just to do no evil but do all good. How many precepts are there? There are many sets of precepts. First, there are the five precepts. Those who have taken refuge with the Triple Jewel and who like to take another step forward should receive the five precepts. After having received the five precepts, another step forward would be to receive the eight precepts. Following that would come the ten precepts for novice monks and nuns.

在家人想求戒，一定要向出家人求戒。傳戒就是給你戒體，這個給你戒體的人，一定要是比丘。在佛的戒律中，不准比丘尼傳戒的。

Lay people who like to receive precepts must request them from an ordained monk. To transmit precepts means to give the precept substance to the preceptees. The person who transmits the precept substance to you must be a Bhikshu. In the Vinaya, a Bhikshuni is not permitted to transmit precepts.