Taken from:
http://www.drbachinese.org/online_reading_simplified/dharma_talks/5Precepts/5Precepts.b.htm#5
People with wrong views say, “Don’t take the precepts. What do you
want to take them for? Why get some precepts to restrain you?” That
is a wrong view. You think that not receiving precepts is being
free. But it’s very easy to fall into the hells that way. That's
where your so-called "true freedom” may lead you.
If you receive the precepts, you will have the protection of
precepts. The precept marks, percept dharma, and precept substance
will support you. You will not fall into the hells that easily.
Even if you do fall into the hells, you will get out quickly. If
you like to be free and don’t take precepts, then later when you
fall into the hells, it's not for sure when you will come
out.
On the other hand if you have received precepts your time span in
the hells can be shortened. It is like when someone who committed a
major crime gets caught by the police. If the criminal had worked
as a personal guard or an attendant for the president, then the
president may write a note ordering that criminal's release. If the
criminal doesn’t have such connection, he won’t be released for who
knows how long. It is similar to that. When you have the protection
of precepts, the long duration of your suffering can be greatly
condensed. Therefore, don’t get smart and say, “It’s good not to
receive the precepts.”
It’s good for you to receive the precepts. Let me say this to you,
“Having taken the Buddha’s precepts, living beings enter the
position of all Buddhas.” When living beings take the precepts of
Buddhas, it’s the same as having entered the position of the
Buddha. Therefore, don’t disparage the precepts or slander the
Vinaya of the Buddha.
WHAT IF I BREAK THE PRECEPTS?
Precepts are the mother of Buddhahood. If you want to become a
Buddha, you must uphold precepts and not break them. Having
transgressed the precepts is just like drifting in the ocean in a
leaking boat. Won't the boat sink? Violating the precepts is just
like causing the boat to sink in the ocean. When you have received
the precepts, you must uphold them. If you don’t, it’s the same as
having leaks. When you leak, you are not free of outflows. Having
no outflows comes when we do not break the precepts; when you break
the precepts, you have outflows. What should you do if that
happens? You must mend the precepts. How? You may create merit and
virtue either by making monetary donations or by doing volunteer
work. By redeeming your offenses and establishing merit before the
Triple Jewel, you will wipe out your offenses.