天台菩薩戒疏 2.24

2.24

Twentieth: the precept against failing to rescue living beings. It specifically comprises four conditions: 1. seeing the killing of living beings; 2. lacking a compassionate mind; 3. there is death, decline, or adversity; 4. there is a Dharma master in accord with the Dharma whom one does not invite to explain—then one commits an offence. In terms of the text, there are two [parts]: first, naming [the precept] and narrating the matter; next, from 'if one does not' onward, concluding the offence of omission and commission. The first also has two: first, explaining the compassionate rescue of those who are not kin; next, from 'if parents' onward, explaining the compassionate aiding of the six relations. In the first, the words 'all earth and water', etc., mean that sentient beings' bodies all partake of the four great elements; although past and present differ, what is partaken of is no different, so killing their present four great elements is precisely killing my own former body from the past. The remaining two are as in the text.