梵網經菩薩戒本疏 3.23

3.23

Eighth, scope and limits: first limits, then scope. Limits refers to the fact that merely giving rise to the thought for one's own sake incurs an offense. The Mañjuśrīparipṛcchā Sūtra states: merely giving rise to a single thought of false speech incurs a pārājika. Second, scope: when done for others' sake, there may be cases of no offense. As the Bodhisattvasaṃvara states: 'Furthermore, as when a bodhisattva acts for many sentient beings to liberate them from mortal danger, the danger of imprisonment and fetters, the danger of having hands and feet severed, the danger of noses being cut off, ears sliced, eyes gouged out, and so forth. Although bodhisattvas would not speak falsely with clear awareness even for their own mortal danger, yet in order to rescue and liberate those sentient beings, knowing and deliberating, they intentionally speak falsely. In brief, a bodhisattva only observes what is beneficial to sentient beings and not what is without benefit, being personally free of defiled thoughts. Solely to benefit sentient beings, with clear awareness of concealing conception, they speak words otherwise. When such words are spoken, there is no violation of the bodhisattva precepts, and much merit is generated.'