菩薩戒本疏 2.117

2.117

The five precepts from here down clarify practices of gathering goodness: first, preventing thoughts of the path of other vehicles; next, preventing the failure to give rise to great vows; next, preventing the failure to make firm vows of commitment; next, preventing the failure to cultivate detachment; and next, preventing the failure to yield to seniors and juniors. First, regarding not harboring thoughts of other vehicles, it was instituted for fear of diminishing great practice. Monastics and laity train together. It is not shared between the Greater and Lesser [Vehicles], because that which they practice differs. In the text, three matters are listed: First, guarding and reciting the precept teachings. 'Guard and maintain the restrictive precepts' means guarding and maintaining both the natural precepts and the instituted prohibitions. 'During the six periods of the day and night, recite these precepts' means reciting and upholding both text and meaning without forgetting. 'As if they were adamantine' means because the upholding mind is steadfast and conditions cannot destroy it. 'Carrying a floating life-preserver wishing to cross a great ocean' means cherishing and guarding them, not wishing there to be any leak; this matter comes from the Nirvāṇa-sūtra. 'As if you were the monk bound by grass' means conscientiously and respectfully upholding them without daring to violate them; this matter comes from the Avadāna-sūtra. Second, generating faith in the Mahāyāna. 'Knowing of yourself: I am a Buddha yet to be accomplished' means that although one possesses the Buddha-nature, the cause has not yet been cultivated. 'All Buddhas are Buddhas already accomplished' means that they have already cultivated the wondrous cause and attained the supreme fruit. Third, 'generate the bodhicitta, not departing from it in thought after thought' means directing the mind toward the great fruit, without interruption by other thoughts. From 'if one gives rise to a single thought' downward, it indicates the offense with respect to the latter.