菩薩戒本疏 2.75

2.75

Seeing physical form and not seeking instruction loses the benefit of receiving the Dharma; therefore, it is prohibited. Both the great and small vehicles prohibit it, and the seven assemblies are equally guarded against it. In the text, regarding "has newly left the household and does not yet have understanding": this means their entry into the path is recent, and they do not yet have understanding within the Buddha's Dharma. Regarding "relying on being clever and possessing worldly wisdom": this means relying on being clever and possessing wisdom regarding worldly affairs. Regarding "or high and noble status or advanced age": this refers to having powerful status, high nobility, and advanced years. Regarding "or relying on great clan or noble family": this means being born into a great lineage and an exalted, superior household. Regarding "great understanding and great merit": this means being abundant in talent and virtue. Regarding "out of such arrogance and conceit": this means generating arrogance and conceit from the above five matters. From "and even if that Dharma master" downward, the object of arrogance is identified. The vinaya prohibits mutilated individuals from acting as the master who presides over an assembly; here it must mean asking for minor points of instruction, hence "consulting and receiving." Alternatively, a bodhisattva only values the Way and does not care about external physical form; hence, even if [the master] is of humble status, one asks them to preach the Dharma, just as the Lord of Devas received the Dharma from a jackal. From "yet the newly learning" downward, transgression constitutes an offense.