鐔津文集 3.18

3.18

The five precepts begin with the first: not killing; next, the second: not stealing; next, the third: not engaging in sexual misconduct; next, the fourth: not speaking falsely; next, the fifth: not drinking alcohol. Now, not killing is humaneness (ren); not stealing is righteousness (yi); not engaging in sexual misconduct is propriety (li); not drinking alcohol is wisdom (zhi); not speaking falsely is trustworthiness (xin). If these five are cultivated, one perfects one's person and brings glory to one's parents—is this not filial piety? If even one of these five is not cultivated, one ruins one's person and brings disgrace upon one's parents—is this not unfilial? Indeed, within the five precepts lies the essence of filial piety, yet worldly people do not see it and neglect it, never having comprehended it. Thus blessings do not arrive throughout the world, and filial piety is not encouraged. The Great Precept says: 'Filial piety is named precept'—this is precisely what it means. Now, if the world desires blessings, nothing is better than earnest filial piety; and for earnest filial piety, nothing is better than cultivating the precepts. The precepts are the upright and supreme Dharma of the Great Sage. If one guards them with a pure mind, blessings will come as easily as reaching to one's left and right. Does not the Book of Rites of the Confucians say: 'When I wage war, I conquer; when I offer sacrifice, I receive blessings'? This is because they have attained the proper Way. Does not the Book of Odes say: 'The genial and courteous noble person seeks blessings without deviousness'? These all speak of acting with rectitude. If the rectitude of the worldly is like this, how much more so the rectitude of that which transcends the world!