緇門警訓 4.24

4.24

資持云。三寶四種一體理體就理而論。化相一種局據佛世。住持一位通被三時。功由戒力運載不絕故。如舟焉何以然耶。由佛法二寶並假。僧弘僧寶所存。非戒不立。如標宗中順則三寶住持。違則覆滅正法。又如華嚴云。具足受持威儀教法。能令三寶不斷等。

The Zichi says: "Regarding the four kinds of triratna, the single essence and the principle essence are discussed in terms of the principle. The single manifestation aspect is confined strictly to the Buddha's era. The manifest maintenance status encompasses all three periods of time. Its efficacy depends entirely on the power of śīla to convey and carry it forward without interruption; hence it is like a boat. Why is this so? Because both the buddharatna and the dharmaratna rely on the saṅgha to propagate them, and the saṅgharatna's existence cannot be established without śīla. Just as stated in the Biaozong: compliance leads to the maintenance of the triratna, whereas violation leads to the extinction of the saddharma. It is also as the Avataṃsaka Sūtra says: 'Completely receiving and maintaining the deportment and the teaching of the Dharma enables the triratna to remain uninterrupted,' and so forth."