The bodhisattva precepts in Han Buddhism are based mainly on the Brahmajāla Sūtra. Nevertheless, the principle of conferring the precepts is founded on the sravaka precepts in the Hinayana tradition. In modern times, the notions of bodhisattva precepts in the ideological trends of Humanistic Buddhism have again attracted extensive discussions, particularly in resolving the prevalent questions regarding the connection between the bodhisattva and sravaka precepts in the Buddhist community. Master Taixu focused extensively on the bodhisattva precepts, with its ideology a major constituent to his overall reform of Buddhism. The formation and refinement of Master Taixu’s notions of bodhisattva precepts can be divided into three stages: 1. Instituting the Yogacarabhumi Sastra on conferring bodhisattva precepts (《瑜伽》菩薩戒本) as the basis for the conferral of bodhisattva precepts; 2. Proposing the establishment of a bodhisattva’s training through integrating modern managerial systems; 3. Incorporating all practices of the Dharma and perfecting said training with the bodhisattva precepts. Master Taixu’s ideology of the bodhisattva precepts broke away from the longstanding tradition of Han Buddhism in terms of conferring and receiving the bodhisattva precepts. It initiated the modernization of precepts in Han Buddhism. Having established the bodhisattva precepts as the guide for Dharma practices, Master Taixu laid a solid foundation for practicing Humanistic Buddhism. Moreover, by establishing notions of Humanistic Buddhism grounded on precepts, this can to a large extent, avert the secularization of Buddhism. This enables Buddhism to be practiced worldwide and retain its supramundane transcendence.
