四分律刪繁補闕行事鈔 1.100

1.100

These four items are the fundamental reliance of those who pursue the Way and the ultimate aim of those who achieve the fruit. Therefore, I place them at the head of the manual so that the mind has a place to rest; knowing that one's own body and mind carry and wear the noble Dharma, below serving as a field of merit for the six destinies, and above serving as the causal seed for the three vehicles. As for continuing and glorifying the seed of the Buddha and raising the banner of the Dharma, their merits are inconceivable; how could mere words exhaust them? I directly cite the noble teachings to provide proof, so that eminent persons who uphold the Dharma may examine and mirror them. Within this, there are two parts: first, clarifying that conforming to the precepts maintains the three jewels, discerning the affairs of bhikṣus; second, clarifying that violating the precepts destroys the true Dharma, conversely planting the karma of suffering. But the passages praising the precepts across the various scriptures and treatises are numerous; expounding them fully according to each school would also be difficult to exhaust. Now, broadly gathering the canonical texts spoken throughout the Buddha's entire teaching career, I shall cite a few items for now, omitting the rest.