釋禪波羅蜜次第法門 2.28

2.28

2. Explaining the characteristics of violating: "violating" means transgressing. Originally having received the Buddha's precepts wishing to escape birth and death and seeking liberation, now encountering bad conditions one cannot restrain one's own mind and transgresses midway, whether grave or light; therefore it is called transgressing. Furthermore, "violating" means contravening [a treatment]. It is just like taking medicine: there are dietary prohibitions and fasts, but if one does not follow the doctor's instructions and eats bad food, contravening the potency of the medicine, not only can the disease not be cured, but on the contrary it worsens, sometimes even leading to death. The characteristic of violating the precepts is also like this; therefore it is called violating.