俱舍論頌疏論本 16.47

16.47

The commentary says: "The preparatory arises from the three roots" means that when the preparatory stage of an unwholesome course of action arises, each arises from the three unwholesome roots; this is spoken on the basis of the initial origination (when the previous sūtra says that killing and so forth arise from the three roots, it is spoken on the basis of the initial origination; the initial origination is precisely the preparatory stage). As for the preparatory stage of killing arising from greed: for instance, one initiates the preparation for killing out of desire to obtain the other's bodily parts, or to obtain wealth, or for sport and amusement. Arising from hatred: for instance, to eliminate an enemy, one gives rise to a furious mind and initiates the preparation for killing. Arising from delusion: for instance, when sacrificing a horse to the gods in an altar ritual, thinking this is righteous mind. Furthermore, kings and the like, relying on worldly laws, execute enemies thinking it creates great merit. Again, the Persians (Pārasīka) say: 'When parents are old and sick, killing them brings superior merit, because it frees them from hardship.' Furthermore, tīrthikas say that snakes, scorpions, and the like are poisonous and harmful to humans, so killing them incurs no sin; sheep, deer, cattle, and the like were originally intended for sacrificial offering, so killing them incurs no sin. Such acts initiate the preparation for killing from delusion.