釋禪波羅蜜次第法門 2.37

2.37

First, what is meant by setting in motion the mind of repentance? If by nature a person did not commit evils, there would be no guilt to repent of. Since practitioners cannot maintain the precepts decisively, or along the way encounter bad conditions and thereupon violate them, whether minor or grave, because the precepts are broken, their śīla is impure and samādhi does not arise. It is like a garment soiled with grease: it cannot take dye. Therefore, one must repent. Through repentance, the categories of precepts become pure and samādhi can arise, just as when a soiled garment is washed clean, dye can adhere to it. The practitioner reflects in this way: 'If my precepts are not pure, I must certainly repent.' Therefore, a sūtra states: 'Within the Buddha's Dharma there are two kinds of strong people: first, those whose nature is not to commit evil; second, those who, having committed [it], are able to repent.' Now, one who commits a fault and knows to repent is called a strong person.