佛說盂蘭盆經疏 1.11

1.11

Third, determining the central doctrine. As for 'determining the central doctrine,' this sūtra takes filial compliance in setting out offerings, and the relief of suffering to repay kindness, as its central doctrine. Now it is analyzed through two approaches: first, explaining the active aspects; second, matching them to tetralemmas.

First, because Maudgalyāyana was originally devoted to filial sincerity and wished to repay kindness and virtue, but his powers were not yet sufficient, he first left the household. Thus, when he had just attained the six spiritual penetrations, he immediately observed the three realms and saw that his deceased mother had been born among the hungry ghosts. Although he offered fragrant rice, it quickly turned into blazing fire, and he wept aloud and turned to the Buddha. The Buddha instructed the setting out of the basin offering, which extracted her body from the dark paths and freed her from the suffering of a kalpa, not disappointing her giving birth and rearing, and vastly repaying her toil. Examining the purport of the sūtra closely, it is complete with these four meanings.

Second, as for matching them to tetralemmas, there are four sets of four phrases:

1. The two characters 'filial' and 'compliant' naturally have four phrases:
(1) Filial but not compliant: such as nourishing with the three sacrificial beasts, and so forth.
(2) Compliant but not filial: such as immediately serving prohibited foods demanded during illness, or failing to remonstrate when improper deeds are about to be done, and so forth.
(3) Both filial and compliant: namely, concealing faults and never offending, remonstrating three times while complying with [the parent's] countenance, and observing the parent's will without change for three years.
(4) Neither filial nor compliant: of the sort such as burying a father in water.

2. Juxtaposing filial compliance with setting out offerings likewise makes four phrases:
(1) Filial and compliant, but not setting out offerings: such as Dong An, Wang Xiang, and the like.
(2) Setting out offerings, but not filial and compliant: such as cultivating vegetarian feasts to seek blessings for oneself, and so forth.
(3) Both: namely, the Ullambana assembly.
(4) Neither: namely, being disobedient and stingy.

3. Juxtaposing filial compliance with relieving suffering likewise makes four phrases:
(1) Filial and compliant, but not relieving suffering: namely, Dong Yong and the like.
(2) Relieving suffering, but not filial and compliant: namely, rescuing the distress and hardship of others.
(3) Both: namely, the Ullambana assembly.
(4) Neither: namely, people who are rebellious and petty.

4. Juxtaposing filial compliance with repaying kindness likewise makes four phrases:
(1) Filial and compliant, but not repaying kindness: guarding one's hair and skin, not being arrogant or reckless, not speaking what is contrary to propriety, and so forth.
(2) Repaying kindness, but not filial and compliant: bracing a carriage wheel to repay a single meal, cultivating practice to repay donors, and so forth.
(3) Both: the Ullambana assembly.
(4) Neither: namely, those who disappoint kindness and are rebellious.

Now, cultivating this single approach fulfills all four practices. How could the merit attained be measured? It is truly because the field is superior and the mind is strong, penetrating to the spiritual principle.