The eight Mahayana precepts are special one-day vows based on the Mahayana motivation of bodhichitta.

"Taking the eight Mahayana precepts is another way to make life meaningful, to take its essence all day and night, by taking vows," says Lama Zopa Rinpoche. "It is so simple. It is just for one day. Just for one day. It makes it so easy. It’s not for a lifetime."

Lama Zopa Rinpoche further quotes this passage from the King of Concentration Sutra: “For ten billion eons equaling the number of sand grains in the Pacific Ocean, if one offers umbrellas, flags, garlands of light offerings, food and drink with a calm mind, or offers service to one hundred billion times ten million buddhas, when the holy Dharma has become extremely perished and the teachings of the Gone to Bliss One have stopped, if somebody who is enjoying (living in) one vow for one day or night, this merit is particularly exalted than having made all those offerings.”

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