四分律刪繁補闕行事鈔 2.8

2.8

First, the reason why the retribution for breaking precepts and the sinful karma are extremely grave is that precept protection is supreme among the generation of goodness and its establishment of merit is mighty; therefore violating and damaging it brings about grave retribution. The Vinayavibhāṣā describes many varieties of precept protection, which shall now be briefly cited. That which resides in the mind is called protection; that which resides in body and speech is called precept. Having protection does not necessarily entail having precepts, but having precepts must certainly be protection, and so forth. In the sūtras, the Buddha's praises of one who has obtained precept protection contain many phrases, briefly summarized into eight kinds: First, like a prince born to a king who is revered by the people; one who has obtained precept protection is born into the noble lineage and will certainly attain holiness in the future, like succeeding to the royal throne. Second, like the moonlight gradually becoming full; precept protection is likewise, with all virtues and merits increasing in due season, up to obtaining the knowledge and vision of liberation. Third, like a person obtaining a wish-fulfilling jewel, where whatever is wished for bears fruit; one who has obtained precept protection, wishing to be born in good realms or even attain bodhi, will certainly be able to obtain it. Fourth, like a king's only son, cherished so that he may succeed to the throne; one who has obtained precept protection, by virtue of precept protection, will certainly attain holiness, so reasonably it must be cherished and not damaged. Fifth, like a person with only one eye, cherishing it most heavily; this person is likewise, because of precept protection, able to leave birth-and-death and attain nirvāṇa. Sixth, like a poor worldly person cherishing a little sustenance; because of cherishing the precepts, one thereby obtains the life of wisdom. Seventh, like a king endowed with three things who then loves his kingdom: first, abundant wealth; second, sensory pleasures; third, the true Dharma; one who has obtained precept protection is likewise, abiding within precept protection with immeasurable merits, his mind peaceful without sorrow or regret, producing and growing the true Dharma. Eighth, like a sick person obtaining good medicine; precept protection is likewise, not to be cast aside, because through it one leaves all evils behind. Such causes and conditions make its merit and karma deep and weighty; it must not be lightly violated, for violating it brings about great sin.