expression, godan verb (-ru)
break the Buddhist precepts
Specifically refers to violating the moral and disciplinary rules (戒) in Buddhism. Used in religious contexts.
僧侶が戒を破ると、寺を追われることもある。
If a monk breaks the precepts, he may be expelled from the temple.
戒律 refers to the precepts or commandments themselves, while 戒を破る is the action of breaking them.
Compound of 戒 (kai, 'Buddhist precepts') + を (object marker) + 破る (yaburu, 'to break').