華嚴經探玄記 12.34

12.34

Second, the four right exertions (samyakprahāṇa): their essence is the mental factor of vigor (vīrya) among the eleven wholesome factors. Simply divided into ceasing and doing, each according to already arisen and not yet arisen, they make four kinds: the first two are exerting oneself to sever two evils, which is the practice of ceasing evil; the latter two are exerting oneself to cultivate two goods, which is the practice of performing good. In the first part: evil not yet arisen is checked so that it does not arise; evil already arisen is severed so that it does not continue. Furthermore, what has already arisen suppresses manifest activity; what has not yet arisen eradicates seeds. In the latter two goods: wholesome dharmas not yet arisen are practiced to make them arise; those that have already been practiced and arisen are caused to expand further. This means causing what does not yet exist to exist, and causing what already exists to increase. Because these four are only accomplished through diligent exertion, they are called right exertions. The new translation calls them 'four right abandonments' (samyakprahāṇa); for the two evils this is acceptable, but how can it apply to the two goods? It means abandoning non-action regarding them, which is precisely diligent cultivation.