法苑珠林 89.69

89.69

Regarding the second, the eight grave precepts, as the Bodhisattva-kuśalaśīla-sūtra says: There are two types of bodhisattvas: first, the six grave rules for the laity; second, the eight grave dharmas for those who have left the household. If one violates any single grave dharma, in the present life one cannot adorn the immeasurable, unsurpassed bodhi, and cannot make the mind tranquil; such a one is called a nominal bodhisattva, not a true bodhisattva, and is named a bodhisattva-caṇḍāla. The bodhisattva's mind has superior, middling, and inferior grades. Regarding the latter four grave offenses, if committed with an inferior or middling mind, it is not called a violation. If committed with a superior evil mind, it is called a violation. 'Superior' refers to taking pleasure in committing the four deeds, lacking shame and remorse in the mind, failing to know how to repent, failing to see the transgression, and praising those who break the precepts; this is called committing a violation with a superior evil mind. Even though a bodhisattva may violate these four grave offenses, they never ultimately lose the bodhisattva precepts. (The eight grave offenses: these are the bhikṣu's four pārājikas, followed by adding the bodhisattva's prohibition against praising oneself for the sake of greed for profit, etc. Placing the four pārājikas mentioned earlier alongside the initial four grave offenses makes eight grave offenses.)