天台菩薩戒疏 2.18

2.18

Fourteenth, the precept against setting fires to burn. The nature of fire is to incinerate and sweep away; its harm to things is not light. When it is already not the appropriate season, how could one permit setting it intentionally? Therefore an offense is instituted. It specifically comprises five conditions: first, being mountains and forests; second, knowing them to be such; third, the sin of giving rise to an evil mind; fourth, not being the permitted season; fifth, intentionally setting it; whereupon one commits an offense. The text has three parts: first, designating the name and listing the fault; next, from 'must not' onward, directly instituting the prohibition of evil; third, from 'if one intentionally burns' onward, concluding the offense for violating the institution. The first part also has two aspects: first, listing ownerless property. When it first says 'evil mind', it means vengeance, jealousy over wealth, hunting, and so forth. In order to protect life, sentient and insentient beings flourish at this time, which is why a season is instituted. Next, from 'if one burns' onward, it lists owned property, considered from the side of damaging property, without regard to season. The second and third are as in the text.