梵網經古迹記 2.41

2.41

Commentary: This is the second section, the gate of showing the characteristics to exhort upholding. The Nirvāṇa-sūtra says: in the śrāvaka precepts, the Buddha knew the timely appropriateness, explaining the minor as major and explaining the major as minor. The Mahāprajñāpāramitopadeśa says: the Vinaya is entirely for restraining the mind for worldly [purposes], and does not discuss true reality. For the sake of protecting the Buddhadharma, it does not consider the gravity of offenses in future lives. Furthermore, an offense may be severe in future lives, yet light in the precepts, such as a practitioner killing oxen, sheep, and the like; praising women is severe in the precepts, yet its offense in future lives is light; and so forth at length. The bodhisattva [precepts] are not like this: what is truly major is spoken of as major, and what is in principle minor is spoken of as minor; because the Dharma-nature is constantly so, pervading the three periods of time. These are the characteristics of the bodhisattva's prātimokṣa. Those who wish to attain the great fruit should reverently uphold them. As stated in the Bequeathed Teachings: if one is diligent and vigorous, nothing will be difficult, just like a small stream constantly flowing that can pierce stone; do not die in vain, only to have regrets later. It is like an excellent physician who diagnoses the illness and prescribes medicine: whether it is taken or not is not the physician's fault.