釋禪波羅蜜次第法門 1.35

1.35

Second, regarding correctly clarifying the purpose of the bodhisattva practitioner cultivating dhyāna: having generated the bodhicitta, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva reflects that in order to fulfill the four universal vows, they must practice the bodhisattva path. Why is this? To have vows without practice is like wishing to ferry people to the other shore without being willing to prepare a boat or raft; one should know that one will always remain on this shore and ultimately never cross over. It is like a sick person needing medicine who obtains it but does not take it; one should know the sick person will definitely not recover. It is like a pauper needing precious jewels who sees them but does not take them; one should know they will always be afflicted by poverty. It is like wishing to travel far without setting foot on the road; one should know this person will not reach their destination. For a bodhisattva to generate the four universal vows without cultivating the four practices is just like this.