大般涅槃經集解 11.73

11.73

Sengliang states: There are two kinds of precepts: first, receiving precepts; second, instituting precepts. When the Buddha first attained enlightenment, the 'Come, monk' bhikṣus immediately received the precepts. There having been no instituted precepts yet, because they did not know offenses, they broke all the classified items of minor and grave offenses. Sengzong states: This answers the earlier phrase on offense and non-offense. It means that prior to the general institution, all evils arose in ignorance. If they had been instituted all at once, beings' dispositions could not have borne it. Therefore, the Tathāgata first instituted 'commit no evils' to suppress their grave evils, and only afterwards instituted precepts according to circumstances. Zhixiu states: From here down answers the first question. It clarifies that the reason they were not instituted all at once was that those who heard them would not believe and would inevitably slander them. From 'At that time there were good men' onwards, based on explaining the intention of being unable to institute them all at once, another objection is then raised.