佛制比丘六物圖 1.20

1.20

First, explaining what conforms to the Dharma. In the Vinaya, both silk and cloth are still permitted; but according to various passages in the Yeshu, silk is not allowed either. The Yeshu states: "That the world often uses silk and pongee is because its substance derives from harming life; it is likewise covered by the general prohibition. Nowadays, among the monks of the Five Indias and various Central Asian regions, none use silk to make the kāṣāya." It also states: "Taking the robe as the clothing of pure conduct (brahmacaryā), one practices the four immeasurables. If one clearly knows that life was killed and yet intentionally wears it, that is not justifiable in principle." In the Gantong zhuan, a deva praised, saying: "Since the Buddhadharma was transmitted to the East, for six or seven hundred years, the vinaya masters of the North and South never had this intention: why use material derived from killing living beings to make a robe of loving-kindness and compassion?" This is extensively explained as in the Zhangfu yi. Yijing in his Jigui zhuan hastily criticized this as wrong, but the profound practice of great compassion was beyond his understanding, which is only natural.