維摩經略疏 5.63

5.63

Question: If so, why do various sūtras say that in repenting one must generate deep shame and remorse, dread, and reform, and how can one not require performing rituals and grasping signs? Answer: People are sharp or dull. Dull people have a heavy mind when creating offenses and a light mind when repenting offenses; a light mind cannot eradicate offenses born of a heavy mind, so they are made to generate deep shame, remorse, and dread to reform their minds, requiring the performance of rituals and grasping signs. For sharp people, when they correctly contemplate the nature of the mind, offenses are originally extinguished of themselves, and sorrow and regret do not arise; this is putting an end to the old without creating the new, called directly eradicating without agitating their minds. Therefore, the Dàzhìdù lùn states: 'If a person can repent an offense, / Having repented, do not worry again. / In this way the mind is at peace and ease; / One should not constantly cling in thought.' If one generates heavy regret, the arrow of regret enters the mind, bringing sorrow and suffering in the present life, and upon death one enters hell. Furthermore, if one grasps that this offense exists, the offense becomes heavier; if one does not grasp at the offense, the offense gradually becomes lighter. If one can see the root of principle, phenomena, and nature, all offenses are completely extinguished; this is direct eradication without agitating their minds.