廣弘明集 27.198

27.198

Having already recognized the evils of lay men and women, seen the blemishes and burdens of renunciant monks and nuns, and heard the gates of doubt, delusion, and inversion, when one retreats to reflect upon oneself, one should truly feel shame and remorse. The sutra states: 'Possessing complete shame and remorse can destroy dark hindrances.' Therefore it also states: 'Shame is like an iron hook, capable of curbing people's unlawful conduct. If one has no shame or remorse, one is no different from beasts.' The Nirvāṇa [Sūtra] states: 'There are two white dharmas capable of saving sentient beings: first, shame; second, remorse. Shame means not committing evil oneself; remorse means not instructing others to commit it. Shame means feeling inwardly ashamed; remorse means disclosing it to others.' Because one possesses shame and remorse, one can respect parents, teachers, and elders. Because one harbors shame and remorse, sins are eliminated and extinguished. Such are their manifest marks; each must feel shame and remorse, conforming to the pure white dharmas. The matters are indeed immeasurable; I briefly set forth ten items as the main outline.