四分律刪繁補闕行事鈔 1.102

1.102

The first also has four parts. First, regarding the Hīnayāna scriptures: As the *Parinirvāṇa Sūtra* clarifies, when the Buddha was on the verge of extinction and there would be no teacher in the world, Ānanda asked him about it. The Buddha said, 'If a bhikṣu can uphold the precepts, they are your great teacher; it is no different than if I were dwelling in the world.' The *Scripture of the Buddha's Bequeathed Teaching* and others all show the same. Now, in initiating and progressing toward the myriad practices, the precepts are the principal foundation; hence a scripture states: 'If one wishes to be born in heaven and so forth, one must protect the feet of the precepts.' Furthermore, just as the great earth can produce and grow the myriad things, a scripture states: 'If one lacks pure precepts, all wholesome merits will not arise.' It also states: 'Relying upon these precepts, one attains concentration and wisdom.' Another scripture states: 'Precepts are the root of practice and its sustaining foundation.' That is, they are likened to the earth being able to generate, grow, and sustain.