佛遺教經論疏節要 1.396

1.396

'Practicing diligently' indicates constant cultivation. 'Mountain ravines' and so forth indicate unoccupied places. There are five places in all, all of which are far from noisy distractions. 'Keep in mind the Dharma you have received' indicates the cultivation of the real, because there is no second thought. 'Not letting it be forgotten' is to make cultivation manifest. 'Exert yourselves in vigorous cultivation' is to cultivate through skillful means. 'Do not die in vain' means resting content in proximate dharmas and staying away from the supreme mind. This refers to being attached to the stage of inner ordinary persons so that within one lifetime one cannot enter the noble state; this is called dying in vain. This is an admonition to those who fall from the summit [stage]. 'Only to have regrets afterward' means that at a late hour one knows for oneself that there is remainder, regretting when it is too late, which refers to regretting only when facing death. The ancients said: To cultivate good deeds when facing death is already too late a strategy. Zhiyi said: 'There were Dhyāna masters in Ye and Luoyang whose fame spread across rivers and seas; when they stayed, clouds of people from all directions looked up to them; when they moved, they were accompanied by crowds in hundreds and thousands, clamorous and booming. What benefit did they bring to the world? When facing death, all of them had regrets.'