四分律行事鈔資持記 2.466

2.466

In the fourth: as explained in that treatise, claiming to be a Buddha incurs a sthūlātyaya, which has two meanings: first, in the world there is only one Buddha and no second; second, he is fully endowed with the marks and signs, distinct from people of the world, so no one would believe and accept it. Nowadays, those who claim 'this very mind is Buddha' then consider themselves to be so without further seeking progress, which by analogy conforms to this offense. The sūtra says: 'All sentient beings have the Buddha-nature.' This points to the identity of principle, but one must know the difference in phenomena; just as ice is water, how could ice flow! Like ore being gold, ore lacks the function of gold; how could one usurp the high sages and delude the ignorant below! Indulging in laziness and arrogance to claim there is no cultivation, performing vile and filthy acts and calling them wonderful functions; if this is Buddha, how could it be limited to your faction? The sūtra explains that Vairocana pervades all places; then the mountains, rivers, and great earth are entirely the body of the Dharma King; wriggling and flying creatures are all the Tathāgatagarbha; this is utterly confusing the stages and completely confounding sages and worldlings; destroying the Dharma and ruining people, nothing is worse than this! Unless one is an accomplished person, who could discern this? Below points to being as in the Commentary, the text of which appears in Part Two, below.