廣弘明集 24.25

24.25

The reason why people fail to attain the Way is that their mind-spirit is dark and deluded. The reason why the mind-spirit is dark and deluded is that external things disturb it. The greatest disturbances are threefold: the first is power, profit, and honor; the second is alluring and sensual beauty; the third is sweet, delicious, rich, and heavy food. Although honor is daily applied to the mind, it essentially brings no constant hindrance from moment to moment. Sensual beauty is already deeper by comparison, yet rich and heavy food constitutes the most acute hindrance. The myriad clamorous matters are merely the branches and leaves of these three. The sages knew that without severing these three things, seeking the Way would be entirely unattainable, so they could not but establish rules for them that were simple and easy to follow. If they had simply declared that the three things are the roots of delusion and all should be strictly prohibited, yet these three things are what human passions are most deeply deluded by, and what thoughts find hardest to banish—then even though there were instructions prohibiting them, matters would be difficult to comply with straight away. For example, in crossing a river on a raft, who would not wish to go directly to the other shore? But since the river's current is swift, there is simply no way to cross straight over; one cannot but follow the current and steer diagonally, taking time to arrive. It is not that one does not wish for speed, but that circumstances make it difficult. Prohibiting these three things must have its starting point. Why is this? As for eating, it cannot be ceased all at once for human beings, yet among the three hindrances to emotional nature none is worse. Therefore, this evening meal was deferred and merged into before noon. From midday onward, one is pure, empty, and free of affairs. Because of this freedom from affairs, thoughts can be simplified. In the beginning, one is not yet concentrated; with time, it becomes habitual. Thereupon, binding them with the eight precepts and encircling them with the prohibitive rules, sensual desires have no avenue to advance, and the manifold burdens of honor and profit are gradually banished in accordance with circumstances. Therefore it is said that all Buddhas of the past did not eat past noon. This is merely a fish trap and hare snare for banishing burdens, a shortcut to reaching the Way. Yet some consider it to consist merely in not eating; this is to be confused about the direction, not knowing the road itself.