大毘盧遮那成佛經疏 2.21

2.21

經云「祕密主！愚童凡夫類猶如羝羊，或時有一法想生，所謂持齋。彼思惟此少分，發起歡喜，數數修習。祕密主！是初種子善業發生」者，羝羊是畜生中性最下劣，但念水草及婬欲事，餘無所知，故順西方語法以喻不知善惡因果愚童凡夫也。世間從久遠來展轉相承有善法之名，然以違理之心種種推求而不能得。後時欻然自有念生：「我今節食持齋。」即是善法，然猶未是佛法中八關戒也。彼由節食自戒故，即覺緣務減少，令我飲食易足，不生馳求勞苦，爾時即生少分不著之心，其心歡喜而得安穩。由見此利益故，數數有修習之，即是最初微識善惡因果，故名種子心也。

The sūtra says: "Master of Mysteries! The class of childish ordinary beings is like a ram; sometimes a notion of a single practice arises, namely, observing the fast. Reflecting on this small portion, they give rise to joy and practice it repeatedly. Master of Mysteries! This is the arising of the initial seed of wholesome karma." A ram has the basest nature among animals, thinking only of water, grass, and sexual desires, knowing nothing else; thus, following Western linguistic convention, it is used as a metaphor for childish ordinary beings who do not understand wholesome and unwholesome cause and effect. In the world, from long ago, the name of wholesome dharma has been passed down through succession; however, seeking it through various ways with a mind that contradicts principle, they were unable to attain it. Later, suddenly a thought naturally arises: "I will now moderate my food and observe the fast." This is indeed a wholesome dharma, though it is not yet the eight precepts of the Buddhadharma. By moderating food and restraining themselves, they perceive that external duties are reduced, allowing their food and drink to be easily sufficient, without generating the exhaustion of running about in pursuit; at that time, they generate a small degree of non-attachment, their mind rejoices, and they find peace. Seeing this benefit, they practice it repeatedly; this is the very first subtle awareness of wholesome and unwholesome cause and effect, and therefore it is called the "seed mind."