瑜伽論記 11.37

11.37

Below, the second [part] explains drawing close to spiritual friends, first presenting seven questions. Among them, the first four ask about the essential characteristics of a spiritual friend, and the last three ask about the characteristics of a seeker of the Dharma. Among the first [group], the first asks how many virtues one must possess to be a spiritual friend; the second asks how many virtues one must be endowed with so that the transformation wrought as a spiritual friend is not in vain; the third asks how many marks one must possess so that when others hear of them from afar, they generate pure faith to the utmost; the fourth asks by how many marks one performs the deeds of a spiritual friend for the beings to be transformed. The text of the last three questions is clear. Below, they are explained in sequence according to the seven questions.