天台菩薩戒疏 2.3

2.3

First: the precept against disrespecting teachers and elders. In principle, a bodhisattva ought to be humble, reverently providing for all sentient beings; how much more so toward teachers and elders, where slight and arrogance are a severe transgression of conduct? Therefore, this precept is established first. It specifically possesses four conditions: first, they are a teacher or elder; second, knowing them to be such; third, intentionally giving rise to slight and arrogance; fourth, disrespect in body and mind, whereupon the offense is committed. As for the text, it has three parts: first, stating the title and exhorting acceptance; next, from "having already received..." onward, showing practice to enjoin upholding; third, from "Yet a bodhisattva..." onward, prohibiting action and concluding the offense. In the first text, "kings" refers to kings of scattered-grain realms among humans; "wheel-turning [kings]" refers to holy kings of iron, copper, etc. An iron-wheel king rules one world; a copper-wheel king rules two worlds; a silver-wheel king rules three worlds; a gold-wheel king rules four worlds. If those in such noble ranks as civil and military officials do not receive the precepts, ghosts and spirits will not protect them; how could they govern the common populace? Therefore, it exhorts that they should first receive them, and so forth. Regarding "the Buddhas rejoice": by according with the moral discipline of the Buddhas, in principle they should all rejoice. In the next text, regarding "elders" (sthaviras) and so forth: the foremost leaders within the Saṃgha, who skillfully guide the great assembly, also possess the meaning of "teacher". Upādhyāyas and ācāryas have been briefly explained above. Sthaviras who are fellow students are called "great fellow students"; sharing the same right view is called "same view"; sharing the same practice is called "same practice". From "Yet a bodhisattva..." onward, prohibiting action and concluding the offense. Regarding "an arrogant mind", etc.: regarding oneself as superior is conceit (kīla); slighting others is arrogance (māna). Both are called delusion; because of desisting from filial compliance, one is conceited and arrogant. From "taking one's own..." onward, adducing the heavy to illuminate the light: one should even sell one's own body to repay the blessing of approaching realization; how much less should one give rise to slight and arrogance? Hence the offense is concluded. The seven treasures are: first, gold; second, silver; third, lapis lazuli; fourth, crystal; fifth, red pearl; sixth, mother-of-pearl; seventh, agate. "A hundred things" generally adduces all that one possesses. "If not so" means if one is not filially compliant, reverent, offering support, and the like.