梵網經菩薩戒本疏 4.41

4.41

Fourth, on minor and major: among these forty-eight, how many are solely minor? How many carry a major offense? Six precepts carry a major offense, while the remainder are the opposite. Namely: 1. In the precept against acting as a state emissary and killing, entering this section is due to serving as an emissary, but killing entails carrying a major offense. 2. In the precept against setting fires and burning, entering this section is due to burning, but according with the damage to property, it is major. 3. In the precept against relying on officials to forcefully beg, entering this section is due to relying on official power, but taking goods by force violates the precept against stealing. 4. In the precept against acting as a leader, entering this section is due to breaching deportment when acting as a leader, but damaging the property of the Three Jewels makes it appropriate to incur a major offense. 5. In the precept against violating prohibitions and engaging in wrongdoing, entering this section is due to deceitfully feigning friendship and so forth, but slandering the Three Jewels oneself makes it fall under the major; taking life and stealing also incur major offenses. Engaging in wrongdoing during the six fasting days and the three long months brings it into this section, but taking life makes it major. 6. In the precept against keeping illicit tools and doing improper deeds, light scales and small bushels bring it into this section, but taking other people's wealth and goods violates the major.