法苑珠林 68.48

68.48

問曰。何故名起捨命方便者。答曰。若殺者於彼事中起不善心。必欲斷命。非慈悲心。作殺方便。是名為起。

Question: Why is it named 'initiating preparatory means to terminate life'? Answer: If the killer in that matter gives rise to an unwholesome thought, definitely wishing to cut off life and not having a mind of loving-kindness and compassion, and performs the preparatory means of killing, this is named 'initiating'.