法苑珠林 23.85

23.85

Nowadays one sees novices, both monastics and laity, young and old, who stumble and cling to delusion, developing a sense of self-sufficiency within the literal words and meanings. Relying on their own conceit to surpass others, they increasingly treat them with scorn. Therefore, the Bodhisattvabhūmi states: “Adhering to literal phrasing to derive meaning has five faults: first, lacking right faith; second, regressing from vigorous endeavor; third, deceiving sentient beings; fourth, slighting the Dharma; fifth, slandering the Dharma.” If the person capable of expounding still defiles their own mind, how could the person listening be able to give rise to faith? If one expounds the Dharma with a pure mind, even saṃsāra is transformed into nirvāṇa. If one expounds it with an afflicted mind, even nirvāṇa is transformed into saṃsāra.