摩訶止觀 4.52

4.52

Furthermore, previously the text exclusively discussed observance, and next it exclusively discussed transgression; now it explains that the observance and transgression of the ten precepts are indeterminate. Broadly speaking, that which moves and delivers [beings] is called the 'vehicle'; hence there are the five vehicles, such as those of humans and gods. Broadly speaking, that which prevents and halts [offenses] is called the 'precept'; hence there are the precepts of restraint, those concomitant with concentration, and those concomitant with the path. In terms of their distinct senses, the three ranks of literal precepts are called 'precepts'; precepts belong to the contaminated, neither moving nor delivering. The three ranks of principle-based precepts are called the 'vehicle'; the vehicle belongs to the uncontaminated, capable of moving and delivering. In terms of this vehicle and precepts, four propositions are distinguished: first, both vehicle and precepts are urgent; second, the vehicle is urgent while the precepts are slack; third, the precepts are urgent while the vehicle is slack; fourth, both vehicle and precepts are slack.