受五戒、八戒的人，都叫“优婆塞”、“优婆夷”，受过菩萨戒，就叫“菩萨”。本来只有出家人受菩萨戒，但因菩萨是自利利人的，所以在家人也可以受菩萨戒。
People who receive the five precepts, or
the eight precepts, are called “Upasaka” (for men) or “Upasika”
(for women). If they take the Bodhisattva precepts then they are
called Bodhisattvas of initial resolve, because they are making
a commitment to uphold the Bodhisattva precepts and follow the
Bodhisattva path. Left-home people receive and uphold the
Bodhisattva precepts. But since Bodhisattvas of initial resolve
are people who wish to learn how to benefit both themselves and
others, lay people, too, can receive lay Bodhisattva precepts.
在佛教，受戒是很要紧的，想受戒的人，不要错过机会。
In Buddhism, receiving and upholding
precepts is very important. When there is an opportunity to do
so, people should not miss the opportunity.
你受一戒也可以，受两戒也可以，受三戒也可以，受四戒、五戒也可以，受八戒也可以，但是不能受十戒；在家人不能受十戒，十戒是沙弥戒，可以受菩萨戒，十重四十八轻戒。
A person can receive one precept, two
precepts, three precepts, four precepts, or five precepts. He
can also receive eight precepts but he is not eligible to
receive the ten precepts, as those are reserved for shramaneras
(novice monks) and shramanerikas (novice nuns). But you can take
Bodhisattva precepts, the ten major and forty-eight minor
precepts.
受一戒叫“少份戒”；受两戒叫“半份戒”；受三戒叫“多份戒”；受五戒叫“全份戒”。
Receiving one precept is called taking “a
minimum share of the precepts,”Receiving two precepts is called taking “a half share of the
precepts,”Receiving three precepts is called taking “a majority share of
the precepts,”Receiving five precepts is called taking “a full share of the
precepts.”
譬如你不能不杀生，不能戒杀戒，你可以受不偷盗的戒。你欢喜饮酒，好像我有个酒徒弟，不愿受“酒”戒，你不受酒戒可以受其他的戒。“我喜欢讲大话，这个‘妄语戒’我不能受。”你可以受其他四戒。“我不能戒杀戒，有时候蚂蚁小蚊虫，在无意中我会伤了它们的生命。如果受戒再犯戒，那更有罪了。”那你可以不受杀生戒，这随你自己的意思。受一戒、两戒、三戒、五戒都可以，不要错过这个机会！
If someone has a problem with receiving
the precept of not killing beings, then that person can refrain
from receiving that precept and can receive the precept of not
stealing. If someone likes to drink, like my wine-drinking
disciple who didn’t want to take the precept prohibiting the
consuming of intoxicants, then that person can refrain from
receiving the precept prohibiting the consumption of
intoxicants, but can receive the others.Someone may say, “I like to boast. I cannot receive the precept
against lying.” Well, that person can receive the other four
precepts.Another person may say, “I
cannot promise not to kill. Sometimes, unintentionally, I may
kill ants and small bugs. If I kill them after receiving the
precepts, my offenses will be greater.” That person doesn't have
to receive the precept against killing. In general, each person
can do whatever he or she prefers, receiving one, two, three, or
up to five precepts. Just don’t miss this opportunity.
在中国受戒，你没有二百块钱（美金），你受不了的。那个钱不是做缦衣的钱；缦衣袍是要你自己做，那做多少钱不管你。你欢喜做好一点就用多点钱，你想做不好的就用少点钱。你就单单受戒，供养师父及供养庙上，这两百块也不算多的。
In China, if a person cannot afford to
pay (it used to cost two hundred US dollars), then he won’t be
able to receive the precepts. That money did not go toward the
purchase of a sash and robe. The preceptees had to purchase
those items by themselves. They could buy better or lesser
quality sashes and robes, depending on what they had to spend.
Just to receive the precepts, one had to make an offering to the
teacher and his temple of at least two hundred dollars.
