菩薩戒本疏 2.12

2.12

It is proscribed because it cuts off the seed of great compassion. For śrāvakas, prior to the [Mahāparinirvāṇa-sūtra], three kinds of pure [meat] were permitted, while others were not; after the [Mahāparinirvāṇa-sūtra], none at all were permitted. For bodhisattvas, throughout, none at all are permitted. It is proscribed equally for the seven assemblies. In the text describing the matter, it also first reveals the loss, next proscribes that one should not eat it, and finally states that violating it constitutes an offense. 'One must not eat any meat' means neither pure nor impure meat may be eaten. 'Cuts off the seed of the Buddha-nature of great compassion': as the sūtra states, because there are people who eat meat, killing occurs. Knowing this and eating it thereby cuts off the seed of compassion. 'All sentient beings will see and flee from them': just as when a bird entered Śāriputra's shadow, it still trembled with fear; if one with latent tendencies is still like this, how much more so for one who has not severed the three poisons at all? 'Eating meat incurs limitless offenses': because eating leads to killing and harming, one incurs limitless offenses.