摩訶止觀 4.49

4.49

Therefore the Great Ākāśagarbha-sūtra says: "If one gives rise to evil views, it is named the third pārājika." What are evil views? Perhaps one attains an understanding of emptiness, brings forth a little wisdom, and, setting up one's own mind as teacher, claims to have verified the non-arising. The mind of views being already strong, it can destroy all phenomena: there is no Buddha and no sentient beings, and one denies worldly cause and effect and world-transcending cause and effect. The Lotus [Sūtra] says: "Or they eat human flesh, or again devour dogs." This is precisely the meaning. Breaking right view, majestic deportment, and pure livelihood, giving rise to an equal, non-discriminating view: what is sinful? What is non-sinful? If there is discrimination, discrimination is obstruction; obstruction is not the real. In the midst of greed and desire do not give rise to fearful obstruction; being without fearful obstruction is bodhi itself, claiming this is true and all else is falsehood. Furthermore, meeting an evil teacher who preaches evil teachings for them, the poison of views blazes even more, a demonic ghost enters the mind, and perverted understanding becomes even more extreme. Raving mad and inverted, there is nothing one will not do; the arrogance of views towers high, showing contempt for everything. Seeing those who practice good, one calls it having an attainment and tramples them like dirt; because of this view, the float is entirely lost. Even if it is not entirely lost, one reflects: "Though principle is like this, I have not yet been able to see it; how could I abandon it all at once? I cherish it and still will not give it away." The mind of views arises again: "All phenomena are empty; how could there be marks of touching or not touching, male or female, and so forth?" One then takes hold and embraces; this is called half gone; or the grave preliminaries, down to duṣkṛta. Claiming all phenomena are empty and tranquil, why use the confusion of phenomenal marks? When not even a minute dust particle is preserved, the mind of emptiness becomes ever more prevalent, like water gradually leaking in, with no obstruction and growing slicker, completely swallowing all precepts and vinaya, so the float sinks forever.