梵網經菩薩戒本疏 4.7

4.7

Fifth, the meaning of deficiency of conditions: first, deficiency of the first condition has three meanings: 1. If one has nothing at all to give, not even a needle or a blade of grass, one should console and decline the petitioner with kind words and tears from the depths of one's heart, still thinking: 'I now have little merit and cannot fulfill the wishes of sentient beings; this is my fault and blame. I shall vigorously cultivate so that their wishes will be fulfilled.' If one is then diligent and courageous as spoken, this is not an offense. 2. If one relies on having nothing oneself and with an arrogant mind does not apologize and has no shame or remorse, one incurs a minor offense. 3. If the petitioner does not believe one has nothing and repeatedly and forcefully demands, and one thereupon gives rise to resentment, one incurs a medium offense. If one then gives rise to anger, one incurs the subsequent precept on anger; the giving of Dharma is also the same. Next, deficiency of the second condition has four meanings: 1. If there is no petitioner, there is no offense. 2. Having wealth, etc., oneself, seeing a poor, suffering person who is unable to beg or is ashamed and does not beg, yet one does not give, this is also an offense. 3. Having wealth oneself, seeing a fellow cultivator lacking food and clothing and neglecting the cultivation of correct practice, and that person is frugal and does not ask, yet one does not give, this is an offense. 4. Having accumulated much wealth previously, although there is no petitioner, one does not renounce and give to fields of merit. These latter three situations all incur preparatory offenses, not a primary major offense. Deficiency of the third condition has two: the above two situations each have the distinction of cognition and doubt; with cognition there is no offense, while with doubt one commits a preparatory offense; both can be inferred accordingly. Deficiency of the fourth condition has two: if with a compassionate mind, for the sake of subduing that person, one does not give, there is no offense; if with an indeterminate mind, committing a preparatory offense can be understood. Next, deficiency of the fifth condition has four: 1. promising to give but not giving is a major offense; 2. promising much but giving little; 3. promising superior but giving inferior; 4. missing the time and giving later. The latter three are all preparatory offenses. Next, deficiency of the sixth condition has two: 1. if [the petitioner] does not leave empty-handed, there is no offense; 2. although leaving empty-handed, if their intent [to seek] has not yet ended, one commits a preparatory offense.