天台菩薩戒疏 1.29

1.29

「是時」下，第二、釋迦迹佛傳授菩薩，菩薩授諸眾生。於中又三：初、明經家敘釋迦傳授之緣，次、明釋迦傳授諸菩薩，三、勸菩薩授諸眾生。初文三：初、出戒相重輕之數，次、「戒如」下歎戒功用，三、「微塵」下勸菩薩受持。初文前三句敘千百億各還本位，次兩句敘誦本戒，謂此戒法諸佛所師，故云「本師戒」也。次歎戒用中，律儀戒能圓止三惑之惡，譬日月破暗；善法戒能圓修三觀之善，譬日月照明；饒益有情戒止觀兼具，能嚴法身如瓔珞珠，是故經云「老少中年服常好故」。第三、勸菩薩受持，為二：初兩句總舉功能，次兩句正勸，餘二如文。

From "at that time" downward is the second part, in which the trace Buddha Śākyamuni transmits [the precepts] to the bodhisattvas, and the bodhisattvas transmit them to all sentient beings. Within this there are also three parts: first, the compiler of the sūtra recounts the circumstances of Śākyamuni's transmission; next, Śākyamuni transmits them to all the bodhisattvas; third, he exhorts the bodhisattvas to transmit them to all sentient beings.

The first passage has three parts: first, setting forth the number of major and minor aspects of the precepts; next, from "the precepts are like" downward, praising the function of the precepts; third, from "fine dust" downward, exhorting the bodhisattvas to accept and uphold them.

In the first passage, the first three lines recount the hundreds of millions returning each to their original positions; the next two lines recount their reciting the original precepts, meaning that this precept-Dharma is what all Buddhas take as their teacher, hence they are called "the precepts of the original teacher."

Next, in praising the function of the precepts, the precept of restraint can perfectly stop the evils of the three delusions, being compared to the sun and moon dispelling darkness; the precept of embracing wholesome dharmas can perfectly cultivate the goods of the threefold contemplation, being compared to the sun and moon shining brightly; the precept of benefiting sentient beings encompasses both cessation and contemplation, and can adorn the dharmakāya like necklace jewels; therefore the sūtra says: "Because worn by the old, the young, and the middle-aged, it is always fine."

The third part, exhorting the bodhisattvas to accept and uphold them, has two parts: the first two lines generally cite the functions; the next two lines directly exhort them; the remaining two are as in the text.