起信論疏筆削記 18.17

18.17

"The explanation says..." and below: second, citing the explanatory text. This is also the treatise text; the commentary now follows by citing it and then explaining it. First is the statement. "Yet in the world..." and below questions it. "For example..." and below explains it. First is the simile. "In this way..." and below is the application to the Dharma. Śamatha is translated here as "calming." "Pliant and smooth" means free from coarse and foul faults. Thus, the precepts are like the vessel and water is like concentration; the precepts can assist concentration, and are therefore used as a simile. "Faults" are like the previously broken vessel: because of the defilement of broken precepts, the water of concentration does not remain still, and the Buddha-moon does not manifest. The Avataṃsaka-sūtra also shares this explanation.