[Q&A] Does breaking the precepts have simple or twofold or more consequences?

A question in relation of this topic was once answered in this way:

     Ven. members of the Sublime Sangha, Ven. Theras, Ven. Fellows,

Upasaka, Upasika, touched and interested,

Would/does breaking of five precept generate bad consequences from the evil deeds, or from being not able to keep the precepts itself?

Both, householder. By missconduct one generates bad consequences and by "not keeping a promise" as well.

One thing is that one has given condition for a future bad experience by intentional harm. Something one can no more change but only work on it to be able to bear the consequences with most ease and best if no more touchable by it.

But more troublesome is: one can not progress in mind training when the precepts are broken. What does it mean that the precepts are broken? One does not recognize the fault, or if, denies responsibility for it. So one makes no amend. One does not resolve to abstain from this wrong doing in further after amend.

This is called "fallen into a transgression" without brought up again, which is like having fallen into a hole. One is not capable to escape and caught by blatant or subtle remorse. So not seeing a fault, even repeat-offending, so not confessing and resolve to change ones habits, thinking possible something like "no more mine" or "bad happens..." blocks one off, blind, caught in wrong views. As long as not taking on the precepts, after affirming past faults, or renewing them, if once taken, on is blocked off for any progress, for the most digging the hole even deeper.

One having undertaken the ritual of taking/renewing precepts and of cleaning by making amend, renews ones asking for precepts and resolve to keep them, one becomes rehabilitated, "pure" again (or for the first time).

While monks have detail procedure and ritual for "Uposatha", cleaning, there are non formal given to lay people. But traditional lay people do such likewise in, if possible, approaching monks, "having in mind their faults", ask for forgiveness (usually not declaring details ) and to renew the precepts.

One more in training would speak with ones teacher, make amend and renew ones precepts. Good Householder therefore approach weekly the monasteries and renew their refuge (ask for forgiviness and for refuge) and their precepts (asking for them) as long in training or wishing to come to training one day..

The amend and renew of resolve should be alway made toward someone pure and never toward someone who has fallen into the same transgression. That is why householder do not approach other householder, since there are really less who have no broken Silas. If not finding someone without same fault, good to seek for, or at least resolve to make amend once meeting a pure one in this regard.

So in this way the breaking of the precepts has two impacts. One that it blocks one from going on and progress, and one that the action will bear it's fruits as effect of the action. Together they become a fast spiral downwardly and only one who has reached stream would not end up in low realms since at one hand not able to conduct a grave misconduct and on the other, even if transgression happens in affect they are bound to seek quickly for amends and not able to hide them.

Worthy to read also the different between the Jains idea of Kamma and that of the Buddha in the Devadaha Sutta: At Devadaha

And at least, precepts are observed for freedom of remorse, and with it the possibility to escape from the bond of suffering, not for the sake of themselves, but as a means, yet not dropped or conducting otherwise even if having reached highest release. Once reached the path, pure conduct becomes natural till perfection at Arahatship and ending of kamma at all.

Maybe worthy to note (although it should not be an encouragement for overestimation of ones attainings): once one has reached stream, aside of conducts good in a relation and community (possible incl. also others) he/she is able to lift him/herself out of the hole of a transgression, having become already independend from guidance. Yet the matter of asking for pardon (if wishing) for maintaining a good relation stays of cource also for such relevant.

Being not clean at the time of death, break up of the body, even holding strong wrong views, will effect the occasion and lead to bad immediate rebirth. Being clean at the time of death, breaking up of the body, holding right view, will also effect the occasion and lead to good immediate rebirth.

Knowing that life can end every moment one should not wait a second to take, maintain and renew precepts, confess, and anything else is blind pocker, russian roulette, and very foolish, actually.

Anumodana and may all allways be able to turn toward the foundation of liberation: precepts.