諸經要集 17.92

17.92

It is also said in the Shujia jing that the young brahmin Śuka addressed the Buddha, saying: "If a white-robed layperson can cultivate merit and roots of goodness superior to those of a monastic, what about this matter?" The Buddha said: "In this regard, I do not give a definitive answer. If a monastic does not cultivate roots of goodness, then he is inferior to a layperson; if a layperson can cultivate them, he surpasses a monastic." (To explain definitively: because monastics clearly understand many Dharmas, they generally surpass laypeople, who are rare [in doing so]; hence it is said that laypeople are inferior to monastics.) Also, the Sanqian weiyi says: As for the duties practiced by monastics, the first is sitting in meditation (dhyāna); the second is reciting the scriptures and Dharmas; the third is exhorting and transforming the assembly in various affairs. If one fully practices these three karmic activities, this complies with the Dharma for monastics. If one does not practice them, one lives in vain and dies in vain, having only causes for receiving suffering. Also, the Hundred Parables Sūtra says: In the past there was a man who needed both the use of fire and cold water. He thereupon kept a fire burning overnight, filled a pitcher with water, and placed it on top of the fire. Later, when he wanted to take the fire, the fire was entirely extinguished; and when he wanted to take cold water, the water had become hot. Both the fire and the cold water were lost. People of the world enter the Buddha's Dharma, leave the household life (pravrajyā), and seek the Path. Having already left the household, they still reminisce about the pleasures of wives, children, and the five desires. Because of this, they lose the fire of merit and also lose the water of upholding the precepts. Those who think of desires are just like this.