四分律刪繁補闕行事鈔 2.501

2.501

Having granted the mānatva rehabilitation, according to the Mahāsāṃghika-vinaya, one should instruct and admonish him, saying: 'Good son! Bhikṣus during the Buddha's lifetime were able to receive the precepts, observe the precepts, and attain the noble fruits; bhikṣus after his passing away are able to receive the precepts, break the precepts, and enter the evil destinies. The practitioner, lacking a mind of protection within and indulging body and speech without, has now committed this offense, approaching near unto death. Yet, because there are still superior causes, by changing your mind and repenting, the great assembly rejoices with you; you are fortunate to congratulate yourself! Thus the text says: From this day forward, let body and mind be pure like an aśoka flower, and never offend again. If you should continue to offend, a fearful mind will be difficult to arouse; even if a fearful mind is aroused, there will be nowhere to repent of the offense. Therefore the treatise says: If twenty pure bhikṣus rehabilitate a saṃghāvaśeṣa offense, my Dharma will not perish. In the evil age of today, people do not even like to hear the name of an offense, how much less will they listen to you repent!' With various such causal conditions, explain to him the intent of severing [transgressions]. Also cite the Nirvāṇa Sūtra: Because of habitual greed and desire, upon death one enters hell, the animals, and the hungry ghosts; emerging from there, one is reborn as a pigeon, dove, chicken, sparrow, and the like.