菩薩戒本疏 2.60

2.60

Falsely conferring [precepts] without virtue entails the fault of misleading others; hence it is prohibited. It is prohibited alike in the two vehicles and forbidden to both monastics and laity. Because the scriptures allow husband and wife to serve reciprocally as preceptors and confer them, we know it is a rule that applies generally to the lay assembly as well. In the text, from 'One who studies and recites the precepts daily' to 'understand their meaning and the nature of Buddha-nature', it clarifies that one who acts as a master should first seek personal understanding. Dividing day and night each into three periods makes six periods; fearing that newly learned practitioners might neglect and forget the teachings and have deficiencies in their practice, it was instituted. Reciting and upholding the bodhisattva precepts during the six periods of each day means receiving and upholding their text. 'Understand their meaning' means understanding the principles of exceptions, prohibitions, light, and heavy. 'The nature of Buddha-nature' means understanding the essentials among the objects of knowledge—namely, the future and present, causes and effects, of Buddha-nature; therefore it is singled out. From 'Yet if a bodhisattva' downward, transgressing it constitutes an offense. Because one's words contradict one's own mind, it says 'deceiving oneself'; because it leads others to mistaken understanding, it is also 'deceiving others'. 'Understanding nothing in detail' means not understanding any single Dharma-door. 'Knowing nothing of all dharmas' means generally knowing nothing of all dharmas. If one lacks understanding and knowledge yet falsely confers [precepts], the offense should be determined according to the number of people.