四分律刪繁補闕行事鈔 1.64

1.64

Sixth: the intent of what the teaching expounds. Although the texts expounding the teaching are vast and extensive, to grasp their overarching purport, they merely illuminate observance and transgression. Now, the sphere of observance and transgression encompasses both internal and external: the internal refers to the binding of karma by the practicing mind; the external refers to compliance and violation regarding situations and affairs. Provided that teaching and conduct accord with one another and there is no violation from beginning to end, this constitutes observance. If one has never studied from birth and has had no hearing of the Dharma, cultivating good and evil, the meaning entails both merit and punishment. Now, if we wish to classify offenses, as long as it corresponds with the teaching, regardless of whether the circumstances are actual or not, all are termed transgressions. This is the general designation of observance and transgression!