梵網經菩薩戒本疏 6.74

6.74

Eighth, explaining the text: in the text there are four parts: 1. citing the event of distress; 2. clarifying that the venerable are in it; 3. formulating the command to rescue and ransom; 4. intentional violation and adjudication of offense. In the first part, "the Buddha said" stands at the head of a distinct section, hence these words are placed here. Therein, it first clarifies the time of distress, meaning that when the Buddha was in the world there was no such thing, hence it says "after the Buddha's demise." Although after the Buddha's demise, in an age of rich faith and virtue there was still no such thing, hence it says "in an evil world." Next, clarifying the perpetrators, there are three: 1. tīrthikas, due to wrong faith; 2. evil people, due to lack of faith; 3. bandits, due to seeking wealth. Second, from "selling the Buddha" downward clarifies that the venerable are in distress, briefly citing three categories: 1. images of the Buddha and so forth, meaning either merely going to sell them or intending to melt and destroy them—in all cases they must be ransomed. Saying "images of parents" means the images of one's own parents being sold by others. Another explanation says that Buddhas and bodhisattvas are revered like parents, not referring to the images of one's two parents. 2. Selling the sūtras and vinaya. 3. Selling the Saṅgha and so forth, in which there are four kinds of persons: 1. monks; 2. nuns; 3. lay bodhisattvas; 4. renunciant bodhisattvas; hence they are called "persons of the Way." Saying "or to officials" and so forth clarifies the two destinations of the sale, meaning either entering the government or being made slaves by ordinary people. Third, from "yet the bodhisattva" downward clarifies the command to rescue and ransom, meaning that upon seeing them, generating compassion is the cause for rescue, and expedients and so forth are the conditions for rescue. If the other needs wealth, one should beg everywhere and teach others to ransom them. Fourth, from "if one does not ransom" downward clarifies intentional violation and adjudication of offense, which can be understood.