勝鬘寶窟 1.59

1.59

"World-Honoured One, from this day forth, if I see the orphaned and solitary..." onwards: this is the third [precept], pulling out the suffering of sentient beings. First it explains the existence of suffering, and next it distinguishes pulling out suffering. Being without a father is called "orphaned" (gu); an elderly person without attendants is called "solitary" (du). A deep dungeon is called "dark seclusion" (you), referring to a remote and deserted place. Cangas and chains are called "fettered" (xi). A mild ailment is called "indisposition" (ji), and a severe one is called "sickness" (bing). Being insecure is called "perilous" (wei), and an obstruction is called "adversity" (nan). When one's calculations are exhausted, it is called "distress" (kun); being oppressed and tormented is called "suffering" (ku). They can also be taken as five pairs: orphaned and solitary form one pair, based on having no relatives; darkly secluded and fettered form one pair, concerning the lightness or heaviness of guilt; indisposed and sick form one pair, based on whether the condition is slight or severe; perilous and in adversity form one pair, with respect to oneself and others; distressed and suffering form one pair, based on internal and external. Sūtra manuscripts differ: some say "calamitous adversity" (e'nan), while some say "perilous adversity" (weinan). Dharma Master Fu said: "Opposite to 'pacifying' below, it should read 'perilous adversity'; opposite to 'benefiting' below, it should read 'calamitous adversity'." Thus both meanings are admissible; but "calamity" (e) is disaster, while "peril" (wei) is ruin and death, and both are obstructive adversities. "Never for a moment abandoning them": the above related the suffering, and now seeks to pull out the suffering. First, it explains not abandoning them in suffering; certainly wishing to pacify them directly explains pulling out suffering. "Pacifying" means pacifying the above five pairs of sentient beings: for those without parents, acting as their father and mother; for those without attendants, acting as their children; and even up to causing the distressed and suffering to attain peace and happiness. "Benefiting them with what is right" means according with principle, not merely harming that side to benefit this one. Furthermore, "pacifying" gives them the causes of supramundane pleasure, while "benefiting" gives them the fruits of supramundane pleasure. After they are freed from suffering, allowing them to follow their own inclinations without hindering each other, it is therefore called "only then relinquishing them".