大般涅槃經疏 22.8

22.8

From "How does one not regard the field of merit..." below, the third chapter is explained. The text is divided into three: indicating, explaining, and concluding. In the preceding "Chapter on the Four Reliances," in maintaining and upholding the Buddha's Dharma, one had to distinguish between upholding and violating [precepts]; here, in one's personal practice, one should apply equality. Furthermore, the previous part admonished the renunciants to observe their moral conduct; this part admonishes householders to cultivate signless generosity. "A different station of mindfulness" means being different from the two extremes and correctly contemplating the middle way. "Precept-holding non-Buddhists" refers not only to holding precepts, but also to attaining superior concentrations. The text below says: "Giving to a non-Buddhist who has cut off fetters surpasses [giving to] a precept-holding monk." A precept-holding monk merely subdues the evils of the desire realm, hence [the non-Buddhist] is said to surpass him by comparison. Although giving is of four types and all attain a pure retribution, it is because there is neither giving nor retribution that it is a pure retribution.