緇門警訓 4.47

4.47

The Śūraṅgama Sūtra states: 'Why do thieves put on my robes and traffic in the Tathāgata, creating all kinds of karma?' If one does not rein in the mind with śīla, even if one's understanding is equal to that of the buddhas and patriarchs, one cannot avoid trafficking in the Tathāgata and creating all kinds of karma, not to mention ordinary people! National Preceptor Qingliang regulated his body through ten vows; truly, there was good reason for this. Precepts take vigilance as their meaning. It is also said: 'Cleansing the mind is called fasting; guarding against peril is called precepts.'