天台菩薩戒疏 2.29

2.29

Twenty-third: the precept against slighting others and preaching erratically. Bodhisattvas by principle ought to gather beings with humility, not dreading toil; now one actually relies on prominent persons, relying on power to treat beings lightly; hence the transgression is instituted. It specifically comprises four conditions: 1. professing oneself to belong to the Mahāyāna; 2. a new trainee inquiring; 3. relying on power to slight and disrespect; 4. not answering well—then one commits an offence. In terms of the text, there are three [parts]: first, explaining the person seeking the Dharma; next, from 'if the Dharma master' onward, explaining the aspect of self-reliance; third, from 'yet the new trainee' onward, adducing the error and concluding the offence. In the first text, it first explains the time, hence it says 'after the Buddha's parinirvāṇa'. Arousing the mind of the perfect three cumulative [precepts] and four universal [vows] is why it says 'good'. The words 'before various [images]', etc., show the supreme object, for a sūtra says: 'Venerating an image as the true Buddha, the blessings obtained are likewise so.' Establishing a resolve for oneself before a Buddha image and receiving the precept-category is termed 'self-vowal'. Auspicious signs will be explained below. 'Then obtaining the precepts' means that after obtaining the auspicious sign, one personally receives the three refuges, personally proclaims repentance, personally receives the ten precepts, and personally recites the karmans; it merely comes from one's own mouth, differing from [receiving from] a master. The words 'if present', etc., explain that because the precepts exist from the master's person, auspicious signs are not required. The remaining two are as in the text.