勸發菩提心集 2.6

2.6

Furthermore, a person who upholds the precepts, contemplating the transgressions of one who breaks the precepts, should encourage themselves to uphold the precepts with single-minded devotion. What is meant by the transgressions of one who breaks the precepts? A person who breaks the precepts is not respected by others. Their home is like a grave, which people do not visit. A person who breaks the precepts loses all merits, like a withered tree, which people do not delight in. A person who breaks the precepts is like a frost-bitten lotus flower, which people do not rejoice to see. The evil mind of a person who breaks the precepts is like an evil rākṣasa. To a person who breaks the precepts, people do not turn, just as a thirsty person does not turn toward a dry well. The mind of a person who breaks the precepts constantly harbors doubt and remorse, like a criminal who constantly fears the arrival of punishment. A person who breaks the precepts is like a field struck by hail, which cannot be relied upon. A person who breaks the precepts is like a bitter gourd: although its shape resembles a sweet variety, it cannot be eaten. They are like a bandit village, which cannot be dwelt in. They are like a severely sick person whom others do not wish to approach. They are like an evil bandit whom it is difficult to be close to. They are like a fire pit that travelers avoid. Like a venomous snake they cannot be touched; they are like the great ocean, like a broken ship, like vomited food. They are like an unruly horse among good horses, different from good people. They are like a donkey among a herd of cattle. A person who breaks the precepts among a diligent assembly is like a coward among brave warriors. Although a person who breaks the precepts resembles a bhikṣu, they are like a corpse among sleeping people. Therefore, the practitioner should single-mindedly and firmly uphold the prohibitive precepts.