四分律刪繁補闕行事鈔 2.36

2.36

First, 'the fundamental basis of the noble path.' As the Tattvasiddhi states: 'The precepts are like capturing a thief, concentration is like binding the thief, and wisdom is like slaying the thief; the sequence of the three practices is cultivated by the wise and the noble.' That is, as the sūtra states: 'Relying upon and caused by these precepts, one can produce the various dhyānas and concentrations, as well as the wisdom that extinguishes suffering.' Furthermore, the Vinaya states: 'In order to tame the three poisons and make them exhausted, the training in higher morality was instituted.' It also states: 'Precepts are the root and the foremost of practice, assembling all wholesome dharmas and bringing samādhi to accomplishment.' The Treatise on the Great Perfection of Wisdom also states: 'Without these precepts, even various austerities are all called deviant practices.' That is, as the sūtra states: 'None of the wholesome virtues can be born.' The rest is extensively explained as in the Commentary on the Prātimokṣa.