天台菩薩戒疏 2.8

2.8

Sixth, the precept against not supplying provisions and requesting the Dharma. That which the Buddhas take as their teacher is the so-called Dharma; honoring others and esteeming the Dharma, one advances in the Way with a humble mind. Yet, conversely, to be arrogant and disdainful, slighting people and the Dharma—the loss of the root of the Way invariably stems from this, which is why an offense is instituted. It specifically comprises four conditions: first, seeing a person of Mahāyāna understanding and practice; second, knowing them to be such; third, intentionally giving rise to a haughty mind; fourth, failing to make offerings and request the Dharma; whereupon one commits an offense. The text has two parts: first, designating the name, recounting the facts, and encouraging action; next, concluding the offense for stopping what should be done. In the first part, 'hamlet' (邑) means a village; thus when Guan Zhong served as prime minister of Qi, thirty households made up one hamlet. 'Three periods' means the morning meal, the midday meal, and untimely gruels and drinks. Regarding 'feeding them three ounces of gold a day, etc.', this adduces what is heavy to illustrate what is light. In the final age, those who know the Dharma substitute in the Buddha's place. Sadāprarudita broke open his marrow for Dharmodgata, and Sudhana forgot his weariness throughout the dharmadhātu; how much more should one relinquish gold and the like? The intent is to make the sentiment of esteeming the Dharma profound, adduced merely as an illustration. 'Three periods' means dividing a single day into beginning, middle, and end. From 'if one does not' onward, it concludes the offense for stopping what should be done, as in the text.