法苑珠林 98.47

98.47

The Sūtra on Future Calamities also says: At that time, the World-Honoured One said to the bhikṣus: “In the future world, there will be bhikṣus who, because of a single practice, will not follow the transformation of the Dharma, causing the Dharma to be destroyed and preventing it from growing and benefiting [beings]. What is the one? It is not guarding the prohibitions and precepts, being unable to restrain the mind, not cultivating wisdom, giving free rein to one's thoughts, seeking only a good reputation, not following the teachings of the Way, and being unwilling to diligently aspire to the task of transcending the world. This is the one matter that causes the Dharma to be destroyed.

“Furthermore, there are two matters that cause the Dharma to be destroyed. What are the two? First, not guarding the prohibitions and precepts, not restraining one's mind, not cultivating wisdom, keeping a wife and raising children, indulging one's desires, and engaging in trade and business to support one another. Second, forming cliques with one another, hating those who uphold the Dharma, wishing to bring about their downfall and thus speaking maliciously against them, which is called flattery and sycophancy, while secretly recording evil deeds and outwardly displaying purity. These are the two matters that cause the Dharma to be destroyed.

“Furthermore, there are three matters that cause the Dharma to be destroyed. What are the three? First, neither guarding the prohibitions and precepts, nor being able to restrain the mind, nor cultivating wisdom. Second, reading the written words by oneself without examining the clauses and sentences, putting what is above below, and putting what is below above, inverting the beginning and the end, unable to understand where the meaning leads, yet considering oneself to be correct. Third, when the wise admonish them, they do not follow their instruction, but conversely harbor anger and resentment, regarding it as jealousy; while those with understanding are few, the majority do not distinguish the principles, all claiming that they are correct. These are the three matters that cause the Dharma to be destroyed.

“Furthermore, there are four matters that cause the Dharma to be destroyed. What are the four? First, future bhikṣus will abandon the practice of cultivating the Way in secluded places. Second, they will delight in roaming about amid the clamor of the human world, coming and going, talking and seeking fine kāṣāyas and five-colored garments. Third, they will look far and high, regarding themselves as extraordinary and refined, believing their own high virtue to be unmatched, comparing their fragmented wisdom to the brightness of the sun and moon. Fourth, they will not restrain the three actions, will not guard the sense doors, and will move among women, broadcasting refined words and ornate phrases, speaking much in matching couplets to stir people’s hearts, turning what is clear into turbid, their personal conduct becoming unruly and chaotic, and the saddharma falling into neglect and decline. These are the four matters that cause the Dharma to be destroyed.

“If there is a bhikṣu who wishes to study the Way genuinely, he will cast aside ornate adornments, will not seek fame and renown, will be simple and guard what is authentic, and will propagate the true sūtras, the refined scriptures of the Buddha, and the transformation of the profound Dharma. Without using many words, he will expound the sūtras according to the original text, not abandoning the correct phrases; speaking seldom yet hitting the mark, not losing the Buddha’s intent. He will wear coarse clothing and take simple food; obtaining delicious food, he will not find it overly sweet, and obtaining coarse food, he will not dislike it. Whether his clothing and food are fine or ugly, he will comply with the intentions of the donor. He will guard the sense doors, will not violate the Buddha's teachings, and will cultivate the Buddha-Dharma diligently as if extinguishing a fire on his head. Even if he does not encounter a Buddha appearing in the world, his leaving home to study the Way will not be in vain. He will maintain an impartial base of mind and have pity and compassion for all.”