法苑珠林 86.16

86.16

Having spoken this verse, the defrocked monk immediately renounced the evil occupation, went forth into homelessness, and exerted himself diligently, attaining the fruit of an arhat. Citing this text proves that if one who has broken the precepts and committed grave offenses turns his mind to study the path and cultivates diligently, he will transcend [them]. Although relying on the principle, one must be single-minded and refined, giving rise to a valiant mind that does not spare body or life. One must always inspect oneself and not give rise to wrong thoughts, establishing a great vow not limited by kalpas, wishing to liberate all sentient beings to the end of the future, equanimously relieving suffering and granting joy to the realm of sentient beings. Knowing that the mind moves falsely, one stays far from the objective realm; new karma does not arise, and old defilements are subdued and eradicated. Even if there are grave faults, they can be made light. Although evil karma is heavy, it does not equal a wholesome mind. Therefore, the Nirvāṇa Sūtra states: “For example, though there are a thousand catties of cotton blossoms, they can never match an ounce of real gold. If one casts a pint of salt into the Gaṅgā River, the water will have no salty taste, and those who drink it will not notice it.” This illustrates that when the mind capable of contemplation is strong, it immediately extinguishes heavy sins.