梵網經古迹記 2.31

2.31

The Commentary says: Below is the third section, the preface to concluding the precepts, which has two parts: first, the sūtra compiler's preface; later, the World-Honoured One's preface. This is the first. 'At that time' refers to the time he came from the heavenly palace to manifest responsively. 'Śākya' translates here as 'able'; 'muni' is 'silent'. 'Bodhi tree': located in Magadha, beneath this tree there is a vajra pedestal; attaining awakening beneath this, it is named the bodhi tree. Why did he conclude them all at once at the very beginning? Because the myriad practices of the three vehicles arise from this, and the three periods of time are fixed and do not await offenses to occur; it is not like the śrāvakas, whose precepts were instituted gradually according to circumstances. As the Mañjuśrīparipṛcchā-sūtra and the Nirvāṇa-sūtra say: 'Pre-instituting precepts in advance causes the world to generate doubt; hence it is like mending clothes, patching wherever it is torn.' Now, the bodhisattva precepts are not like that; hence upon first accomplishing Buddhahood he first concluded these precepts. According to the Daśabhūmikabhāṣya, in the first seven days after attaining the way he enjoyed the Dharma bliss by himself, and only in the second seven days did he initiate speech. Stating here that he first concluded them should refer to the second seven days. 'Filial' means to nurture, and 'compliant' means reverence; knowing kindness and repaying kindness is the filial path. There are two kinds of kindness: first, the kindness of nourishing the physical body, referring to parents; second, the kindness of nurturing the dharmakāya, referring to teachers and the sangha. Respectfully sustaining with material goods and Dharma the teachers, sangha, Three Jewels, and the ultimate path here, they correspond in turn to assistants, what one relies on, and cognitive objects; therefore, the term 'filial' is separately cited. 'The precepts are also called restraint': filiality is the root of the hundred practices and the essential path of the former kings; precepts are the foundation of the ten thousand goods and the origin of all Buddhas. Goodness arises from this, so filiality is called the precepts; evil is extinguished by this, so they are also called restraint. Therefore, 'filial' and 'precepts' differ in name but are identical in meaning. 'Immediately emitted from his mouth...': emitting light to summon the assembly; he emits immeasurable light to summon those with conditions, symbolizing the unobstructed gate illuminating and guiding the long night. 'Great precepts' means the Mahāyāna precepts, which is why there is no śrāvaka assembly here.