勝鬘寶窟 1.56

1.56

With respect to the text, there are three parts: First, the sūtra compiler narrates and lists the ritual of receiving the precepts; second, the direct reception of the precepts; third, requesting confirmation to eliminate doubt. The first is the preliminary upāya before receiving the precepts; the second is the direct reception of the precepts; the last is a subsequent upāya. Subsuming the three into two: the first two directly explain the reception of the precepts, and the last explains the purpose of receiving them. The reason why a bodhisattva receives the precepts is to stop slander and eliminate doubts, causing people to venerate the person and esteem the path, after which the doctrine can first be opened and the Dharma conferred. 'At that time Śrīmālā, having heard the prophecy'—this is accepting the previous prophecy. 'Stood respectfully' directly describes the ritual of conferring the precepts. The Buddha was in the air and Śrīmālā was on the ground; desiring that speech between air and ground be exchanged and the ritual of receiving the Dharma be convenient, she therefore stood. Furthermore, Śrīmālā bowed to the Buddha and requested the Buddha to embrace her, and the Buddha immediately conferred the prophecy; thus hearing the prophecy she rejoiced and stood respectfully, not that she intended to receive the precepts while standing. Again, the Buddha having conferred the prophecy before her, hearing the prophecy she rejoiced; about to receive the precepts, she further adjusted her appearance and deportment, bringing her state of awakening to its utmost as a preparatory upāya for receiving the precepts, and therefore stood. Or it is said that standing is the appearance of being about to practice: Queen Śrīmālā was about to receive and practice the precept-dharma, and therefore stood. As for 'received the ten vows': the first character 'receive' explains that the internal mind is capable of receiving; the second character 'vow/precept' explains that the precepts are the dharma received. Because the practitioner takes them in beforehand, it is called 'receiving'. Furthermore, because an earnest mind gathers and holds them, it is called 'receiving'. Ten is the designation of a complete number. The bodhisattva precept-dharma is vast and extensive, and is therefore called 'great'.