法苑珠林 30.16

30.16

As the Nirvāṇa Sūtra says: 'Furthermore, good sons, if my disciples uphold, read, recite, copy, and expound this Nirvāṇa Sūtra, let them not speak it at the wrong time; let them not speak it without conviction; let them not speak it uninvited; let them not speak it with a light mind; let them not speak it everywhere; let them not speak it to praise themselves; let them not speak it to disparage others; let them not speak it when the Buddhadharma is being extinguished; and let them not speak it when worldly concerns are blazing. Good sons, if my disciples uphold this sūtra and speak it at the wrong time, up to speaking it when worldly concerns are blazing, people will lightly rebuke them, saying: "If the secret treasury of the Buddha, the Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra, possesses majestic power, why does it cause you to speak it at the wrong time, up to speaking it when worldly concerns are blazing? If the upholders of the sūtra speak like this, you should know that this sūtra has no majestic power. If it has no majestic power, then even if one upholds it, there is no benefit." Because of this light disparagement of the Nirvāṇa Sūtra, immeasurable sentient beings will fall into hell. These [teachers] are then evil companions to sentient beings; they are not my disciples, but Māra's retinue. If one expounds the sūtra for the sake of material gain, the five desires, or fame, the matter is like commerce, and it will quickly destroy the saddharma.' The Nirvāṇa Sūtra also says: 'What is trading sandalwood for ordinary wood? It is like my disciples who, for the sake of offerings, expound the sūtra and Dharma to white-robed laity. The laity, indulging their inclinations, do not delight in hearing it. The laity sit in high places while the bhikṣus sit below, and furthermore provide them with various fine foods and delicacies, yet they are still unwilling to listen. This is called trading sandalwood for ordinary wood. What is trading gold for brass? Brass is an analogy for forms, sounds, scents, tastes, and tangibles. Gold is an analogy for the precepts. My disciples breaking the precepts they have undertaken due to the causes and conditions of sensual forms: this is called trading gold for brass. What is trading silver for pewter? Silver is an analogy for the ten wholesome deeds. Pewter is an analogy for the ten unwholesome deeds. My disciples abandoning the ten wholesome deeds and practicing the ten unwholesome deeds: this is called trading silver for pewter. What is trading silk for coarse hemp? Coarse hemp is used as an analogy for shamelessness and lack of conscience. Silk is an analogy for shame and conscience. My disciples abandoning shame and conscience to practice shamelessness and lack of conscience: this is called trading silk for coarse hemp. What is trading amṛta for poison? Poison is used as an analogy for various offerings. Amṛta is used as an analogy for all undefiled dharmas. My disciples, for the sake of material gain, bitterly praising themselves to the white-robed laity, saying they have attained the undefiled: this is called trading amṛta for poison.'