緇門警訓 4.6

4.6

The Chao states: 'First, fields, residences, gardens, and groves. Second, planting and living seeds. Third, storing grain and cloth. Fourth, keeping and raising male and female servants. Fifth, keeping and binding birds and beasts. Sixth, money, jewels, and precious goods. Seventh, felt rugs, cauldrons, and kettles. Eighth, beds ornamented with ivory and gold, and various heavy objects. The names of these eight are extensively listed and counted throughout the sūtras, treatises, and vinayas, revealing their faults and that they are improper. Moreover, the vinaya sūtras state: "If anyone keeps them, they are not my disciple." The Wufen lü also states: "They definitely do not believe in my Dharma and Vinaya." Because these eight kinds all increase greed, ruin the Path, defile pure conduct, and bring forth filthy karmic fruits, they are called impure.' It further states: 'In the Vinaya, which addresses practical matters, because those of inferior capacity have narrow intentions, keeping them is often permitted. Furthermore, the Nirvāṇa Sūtra states: "If my disciples have no one to provide their necessities, during times of famine when food and drink are difficult to obtain, for the sake of protecting, upholding, and establishing the true Dharma, I permit my disciples to receive and keep gold, silver, vehicles, fields, houses, grain, and rice to trade for what is needed. Although permitted to receive and keep them, such items must be purified through declaration of purity before devout donors."' The Commentary states: 'The above clarifies that in the Mahāyāna, both the faculties and the teachings are strict; the below clarifies that in the Hīnayāna, both the faculties and the teachings are relaxed. That the Vinaya addresses practical matters means that violating a practical matter is minor, thus illuminating the tenor of the sūtras. In principle, violating principle is grave. Because those of inferior capacity have narrow intentions and cannot bear it, allowances are made for them. Conversely, the Mahāyāna is capable of bearing it, and so it is grave. People of the world mistakenly say that the Hīnayāna requires strict precepts while the Great Teaching is accommodating—what a grave error!'