經律異相 28.10

28.10

The World-Honoured One again told the king: "Among the sins of many evils, the five most grave are these: Being unfilial and disloyal, killing parents or killing one's lord, destroying the family and throwing the state into chaos—this is the first grave sin. The practice of an arhat attains the samādhis of emptiness, wishlessness, and signlessness, having a mind equal to the Buddha to rescue and deliver sentient beings; yet in foolishness to harm him—this is the second grave sin. The Buddha has ended all sins, and his great blessings are fully accomplished; with the marks and signs and the ten powers, he guides sentient beings with the Dharma, his love, compassion, joy, and protection surpassing that of a loving mother; yet in foolishness and wickedness to slander him—this is the third grave sin. Pure śramaṇas whose resolve is quiet and whose conduct is lofty embrace the sūtras and Dharma to assist the Buddha in transforming the foolish; the succession of Buddhas and the deliverance of sentient beings all rely on the Saṅgha; yet through flattery, slander, and strife to cause discord among them, and because of this discord the true Dharma is ruined, and when the true Dharma is ruined the people run wild, and when the people run wild the three evil realms flourish—disturbing the monk Saṅgha is the fourth grave sin. The precious objects, water, and lands of the Buddha's venerable shrines are offered by sentient beings with sincere hearts to the Three Venerable Ones; for foolish people to destroy or steal them—this is the fifth grave sin. For those who commit these five, there is no pardon for their sins; it is called slaying oneself, wiping out one's clan, and casting oneself into the fires of Mount Tai. The gravity of these five sins is heavier than Mount Sumeru; take care never to commit them!" When the Buddha finished preaching the sūtra, the king and all his ministers attained the fruit of srotāpanna, took the five precepts, and became upāsakas. Among the people of the country, some became śramaṇas and some kept the precepts as upāsakas; thus the five precepts and ten wholesome deeds became the governance of the state. The devas protected them, and the kingdom flourished (from the Sūtra of the Hundred Loves).