This paper is a chapter from this writer's book `Vinaya` Study and Ch'an Contemplation of the T'ien-tai-Sect (not yet in print). As regards to Chih-jah's opinions on precepts, it can be divided into two parts：ten precepts (referring to sequential precepts) and complete and immediate precepts (also known as complete precepts, Buddha precepts or incomparable precepts). This paper is specifically on the study of ten precepts.
What is known as "ten precepts" refers to the meaning of ten kinds of precept phenomena. In various `sutras` and `sastras` there are many explanations regarding ten kinds of precept phenomena. However，the ten precepts referred to by Chih-jah of the T'ien-tai Sect are the Bodhisattva-protecting-others' ten precepts from the "Chapter of Sagely Practice" of the `Mahaparinirvana Sutra`，and are also the contents of the Bodhisattva-upholding-precepts from the `Mahaprajna-paramita Sastra`.
This paper is primarily divided into four sections：1) the sources of ten precepts; 2) the intrinsic meaning of ten precepts; 3) the levels of ten precepts; and 4) the characteristic of ten precepts.
As the names of ten precepts which Chih-jah had coined from `sutras` and `sastras` are slightly different from those in the `Mahaprajna-paramita Sastra` and `Nirvana Sutra`，this paper first of all clarified the sources of ten precepts. Futhermore the second section explained the contents of ten precepts, and the third section elucidated on the different levels of ten precepts. Lastly，with the thoughts of Chih-jah of the T'ien-tai Sect，in highlighting the special features of ten precepts, explained the sagely practice of sequential precepts. However，speaking from the stance of complete and immediate contemplative practice and the doctrine of reality，the ten precepts were actually spoken in response to the difference in sentient beings. As of the precepts themselves, they are really complete and immediate precepts. This in itself actually reveal the meaning of reality of the precepts. Moreover，in the ten precepts, the complete teaching precepts of the sagely practice of sequential precepts is merely a relative completion. It still cannot really show the meaning of the reality of the precepts.
