四分律行事鈔資持記 3.822

3.822

In the next section, first, the monastic community is described as having distant aspirations but meager practice. 'The wise...' onwards next instructs the layperson to accept the aspiration and integrate practice: 'ultimate discernment' means having deep insight and not holding present [shortcomings] to account; 'broad accommodation' means having great capacity and overlooking minor faults; 'overlook' (lüe) means selectively passing over. 'Where...' onwards shows that the unseen spirits provide equal support: 'exhaustively' (ke) means investigating thoroughly; exhaustive discernment belongs to the minds of nāgas and devas, whereas the ultimate and distant belongs to the aspiration of the renunciants. As stated in the Gantong zhuan, the deva Skanda told the Patriarchal Master: 'The various countries of India do not equal this region; though they violate precepts here, in general they feel shame; though internally they transgress, externally they still cautiously guard against it; so all devas, seeing a single wholesome act in them, forget their hundred wrongs; when seeing them commit offenses, they all shed tears; they all provide invisible protection, not letting māras vex them.' 'Now...' onwards reprimands ordinary laypeople for excessive criticism; first, it describes their delusion and ignorance. 'Naturally...' onwards demonstrates the fault: the first line obstructs the noble path, the next two lines lose wholesome benefits, and the last two lines incur bitter retribution. 'It may be said...' onwards concludes with lamentation.