大般涅槃經集解 11.21

11.21

案道生曰：施尚不可，況親食乎。苟縱不禁，於長壽何因耶？僧亮曰：不食肉者，有大慈之德也。僧宗曰：因向所論，義勢至此，貴明義耳。寶亮曰：所以於今日頓明斷肉制者，昔時眾生習腥穢來久，不得頓制；至今經教，人心純熟、識理分明，覺此腥穢自然薄賤，是以今時斷肉，其事必行也。因上所言，故云食肉者尚不應施，況不食者而當施耶？已不食肉者有大功德故也。智秀曰：意欲請制，是故因循引前答旨，輒言所見，謂以肉施人非所宜也。智秀曰：釋所以不應施也。若不食者有大功德，豈可不制不應施耶。

Daosheng comments: Giving [meat] as a gift is already impermissible, how much less so eating it oneself! If one gives free rein to it without prohibition, how could it be a cause for long life? Sengliang says: One who does not eat meat possesses the virtue of great compassion. Sengzong says: Relying on what was discussed above, the force of the principle reaches this point; it is valued for clarifying the principle. Baoliang says: The reason the prohibition against meat-eating is explicitly and suddenly established today is that in former times sentient beings had long been accustomed to foul and rank foods, so it was impossible to prohibit it all at once. Arriving at the teachings of the present sūtra, people's minds are fully matured and their comprehension of the principle is distinct and clear; they perceive this foul and rank food as naturally lowly and worthless. Therefore, prohibiting meat at this time ensures that the practice will certainly be carried out. Relying on what was said above, it is therefore stated that one should not even give it to meat-eaters, how much less should one give it to those who do not eat it? This is because those who already abstain from meat have great merit. Zhixiu says: Intending to request the prohibition, he therefore follows upon and cites the meaning of the previous reply, immediately expressing what he observes, maintaining that giving meat to people is inappropriate. Zhixiu says: This explains why it should not be given. If those who do not eat it have great merit, how could one not institute the rule that it should not be given?