大般涅槃經疏 9.12

9.12

佛答為八。一訶不應同尼犍裸形自餓饕餮，若過若不及也，此中應自斟酌。如寶物者，起重貪心，尚不應畜。如五味者，非正身分，故聽受之。豈如尼犍一向制之？二明須識如來開三遮十之意，那得同彼外道見乎？以為眾生不可頓斷，先斷三種，相三種外故；次斷十種，次斷十種之外；斷貪想故一切悉斷。三頓制諸弟子悉斷一切肉者，對昔唱今，而菩薩戒中久制輕垢之罪，為度眾生雖現食肉而實不食。四明食肉怨嫌長遠化道不行，與眾生隔絕（云云）。五明執小乘食肉，謗大頓斷，起惡爭論。六明食肉多起惡事、七除饑年污器、八結制，悉如文。

The Buddha's reply has eight parts: First, he rebukes that one should not be like the naked Nirgranthas who starve themselves or gorge voraciously, which are either excessive or deficient; herein one should exercise discretion oneself. Regarding precious objects: since they arouse strong greed, they should not even be kept. Regarding the five flavors: since they do not constitute one's primary physical identity, one is permitted to accept them. How could it be like the Nirgranthas who prohibit them unconditionally? Second, he clarifies that one must understand the Tathāgata's intention in opening three and barring ten; how could it be identical to the views of those non-Buddhists? Because sentient beings cannot abstain abruptly, he first prohibited three kinds because they differed in character from what is outside the three kinds; next he prohibited ten kinds, and then what is outside the ten kinds; because one cuts off greedy thoughts, all are completely prohibited. Third, abruptly regulating that all disciples must completely abstain from all meat contrasts past [teachings] to proclaim the present one; whereas in the bodhisattva precepts the minor infractions had long been regulated, though appearing to eat meat to save sentient beings, [bodhisattvas] actually do not eat it. Fourth, he clarifies that eating meat leads to long-lasting resentment and enmity, so the path of converting [beings] cannot proceed and one becomes estranged from sentient beings, and so forth. Fifth, he clarifies that clinging to the Hīnayāna practice of eating meat, slandering the Mahāyāna abrupt prohibition, stirs up evil disputes. Sixth, he clarifies that eating meat gives rise to many evil deeds. Seventh, he makes exceptions for years of famine and soiled vessels. Eighth, the conclusion of the prohibition—all as stated in the text.