天台菩薩戒疏 2.28

2.28

Twenty-second: the precept against slighting and disrespecting a Dharma master. Instructing with proper standards is termed being 'a Dharma master'; intentionally failing to be reverent is termed 'slighting and disrespecting'. Bodhisattvas by principle ought to make light of life and value the Dharma: [the Bodhisattva in the] Snowy Mountains inquired of a demon; the Lord of the Devas bowed to an animal as master. Arrogance is like a high mountain where rainwater cannot stay; humility is like the river and sea where ten thousand streams converge. Now, casting aside what [the master] knows and looking at their clan and caste causes one to lose the great benefit of the Dharma; hence the sage instituted [this precept]. It specifically comprises four conditions: 1. a new trainee who is ignorant; 2. the other is of lowly status yet has virtue; 3. relying on oneself and giving rise to arrogance; 4. not going to consult and receive [the teaching]—then one commits an offence. Previously it explained not listening when an exposition is being given; here it prohibits not going separately to consult and receive. In terms of the text, there are three [parts]: first, naming [the precept] and raising the fault; next, from 'that Dharma master' onward, setting forth the object that is slighted; third, from 'yet the new trainee' onward, adducing the fault and concluding the offence. In the first, the words 'possessing wisdom', etc., mean understanding and knowing worldly dharmas without needing to read a text twice, hence called 'clever'; having held official posts is called 'noble'; being of a sage clan of the current age is called 'great lineage'; having penetrated the classics and histories is called 'great understanding'; attracting worldly wealth and food is called 'great blessing'. From 'abundant wealth' onward, it explains the meaning of great blessing. From 'by means of this' onward, it summarizes the intention of arrogance. 'By means of' is like 'using'—using this 'cleverness' up to 'great blessing' to give rise to arrogance. The next text can be seen. In the third, concluding the offence, the words 'the supreme truth' refer to the principle of the perfect and eternal, which is the root of teaching and practice, hence it is specifically highlighted. A teaching and practice without reliance is not a good master.