諸經要集 17.8

17.8

To state: This single teaching has the expedient and the real. The expedient is the instruction of gradual inducement, using the light to escape the heavy; initially permitted without transgression, based on the principle of obstruction, it is not without fault. If according to the real teaching, both light and heavy are prohibited, and from beginning to end there is no transgression; this is called upholding the precepts. First, based on the expedient explanation, the Adbhutadharma-sūtra says: At that time, the king's crown prince, named Jeta, heard the Buddha explain that the retribution of the path of the ten virtues is boundless. Kneeling with palms joined, he addressed the Buddha, saying: 'The Buddha formerly had me receive and uphold the five precepts. Now I wish to return and renounce them. Why? Among the rules of the five precepts, the precept against alcohol is difficult to uphold, and I fear incurring fault.' The World-Honoured One told him, saying: 'When you drink alcohol, what evil do you commit?' Jeta addressed the Buddha: 'The mighty and powerful in the kingdom often gather together bringing alcohol and food, entertaining one another to produce joy. In myself, there is no evil. Why? When obtaining alcohol, I remain mindful of the precepts; because there is no negligence, drinking alcohol does not result in evil deeds.' The Buddha said: 'Excellent, excellent, Jeta! You have already attained wisdom and expedient means. If worldly people could be like you, what evil would there be in drinking alcohol for one's whole life? Practitioners like this should engender merit and have no fault. If a person drinks alcohol without giving rise to evil karma, because of a joyful mind, defilements do not arise. Due to the causes and conditions of a wholesome mind, one receives wholesome retributions. As with upholding the five precepts, how could there be any loss? Drinking alcohol while mindful of the precepts further increases one's merit. Having previously upheld the five precepts, now receiving the ten virtues, the merit is doubled compared to the retribution of the ten virtues.'