Every Buddhist monk recognizes that Vinaya (precept) is the very basis of Buddhism. Buddhism would not exist without Vinaya.

In the era of Shakyamuni Buddha, Buddha is our teacher; after his Prinirvana, Vinaya is our teacher. The monastic abiding by Vinaya have a standard code of conduct for their daily lives. It is emphasized by all schools and sects of Buddhism. Vinaya is to discipline the individual and the monastery’s rules are to regulate the community. Only when a Buddhist monk has solved his own problems, then he can resolve the community’s issues. That is to say, as long as the individual morality and ethic are strengthened, the general quality standard of Buddhism will be improved. The precept transmission ceremony of Shaolin Temple is based on the transmission of Buddhism and for the purpose of enhancing the general quality of Buddhist community. (From Shaolin Temple in My Heart)