四分比丘戒本疏 1.7

1.7

Second, to clarify the benefits of listening, there are also briefly two meanings: first, recognizing the characteristics and safeguarding them. As the text of the prātimokṣa says: 'Desiring to eliminate the four offences of defeat... and so forth, down to: the assembly gathers, listen to what I say.' Second, obtaining superior benefits and happiness. As it says: 'Able to obtain three kinds of joy, and with pure moral discipline and wisdom, one immediately attains the foremost path,' and so forth. According to Yogācārabhūmi, chapter twenty-two, one should know that a person endowed with moral discipline has ten merits and superior benefits: first, from observing for oneself that one's moral discipline is pure, one attains absence of regret; from absence of regret, delight; from delight, joy arises; from joy, the body is at ease; from ease, one experiences bliss; from bliss, the mind is concentrated; from concentration, one can see in accordance with reality; from seeing in accordance with reality, one develops revulsion; from revulsion, one is freed from desire; from freedom from desire, one realizes liberation, knowing oneself that one can attain parinirvāṇa in the realm of nirvāṇa without residue. Second, at the time of death, one knows that one will go to a good rebirth, and being free of regret and resentment, it is called a virtuous death. Third, excellent praise and renown are widely heard throughout all regions. Fourth, one sleeps peacefully and wakes peacefully, remaining far removed from all physical and mental distress. Fifth, whether sleeping or waking, all the devas protect one. Sixth, towards violent persons, one has no fear of their malice. Seventh, even when enemies and bad friends find an opportunity, one is always protected. Eighth, even when goblins, ghosts, and spirits find an opening, one is always protected. Ninth, there are no hardships regarding the Dharma; one receives various offerings from others, and kings and great ministers respect and honour one. Tenth, whatever one wishes is accomplished: if one wishes to be born into a great kṣatriya or brahmin family, or the heaven of the Four Heavenly Kings up to the Heaven of Controlling Others' Emanations, it will immediately be according to one's wish. If one further aspires and delights to enter the four dhyānas and abide in the present-life happiness, or if one further aspires and delights to enter the formless absorptions, or if one further aspires and delights in ultimate nirvāṇa, all will be according to one's wish. Now, in the text of the prātimokṣa, 'fame and offerings' corresponds to the third and ninth; 'birth in heaven' corresponds to the second and tenth; 'attaining the foremost path' corresponds to the first and tenth; the remaining superior benefits are omitted without discussion. As for the ten benefits in the Vinaya, meaning the gathering of the saṃgha and so forth, lest it become too burdensome they are not recounted.