四分律刪繁補闕行事鈔 2.45

2.45

First, as for why [we discuss this]: regarding the prātimokṣa precepts, everyone receives them; but when it comes to clearly understanding them, there are perhaps only three or five [out of ten]. This is entirely because they previously lacked thorough acumen and did not broadly inquire, causing them at the time of formal reception to be mostly confused about the characteristics of the essence, accomplishing the conditions only within a blind and dreaming mind; and when it comes to whether they obtained [the precepts] or not, it is as indistinct as the River Han. Therefore, at the head of the following aspects, various approaches are set forth to demonstrate this, so that one may ascertain whether one has oneself successfully obtained the precepts or not, after which observance and transgression can properly be cultivated and avoided.
Question: How many kinds of prātimokṣa precepts can there be?
Answer: Discussing the essence in terms of the objects [it relates to], they are truly immeasurable. Precepts primarily prevent evil; because conditions for evil are numerous, the precepts engendered are also numerous. Therefore, the *Suvarna[prabhāsa]* (*Shansheng jing*) states: "Sentient beings are immeasurable, and the precepts are also immeasurable," and so forth. Now, deducing by principle, there are fundamentally only two kinds: manifest and unmanifest. These two precepts collectively encompass everything, leaving no object unexhausted.