釋氏要覽 1.46

1.46

The *Mahāprajñāpāramitā Sūtra* says: "One who can explain the dharmas of emptiness, signlessness, wishlessness, non-arising, and non-cessation, as well as the knowledge of all aspects, causing people's minds to enter joy, faith, and delight, is named a good spiritual friend." The *Kuśalamūlasaṃparigraha-sūtra* says: "There are four dharmas that constitute a good spiritual friend: first, being able to cause people to enter into wholesome dharmas; second, being able to obstruct unwholesome dharmas; third, being able to cause people to abide in the true Dharma; fourth, always being able to accord with teaching and transforming." The *Yogācārabhūmi-śāstra* says: "A good spiritual friend possesses ten virtues: first, subdued; second, tranquil; third, delusions removed; fourth, virtues increased; fifth, possessing vigor; sixth, rich in scriptural learning; seventh, awakened to reality; eighth, skilled in exposition; ninth, deep in compassion; tenth, free from regression. First, 'subdued' means being in accord with the precepts because the sense faculties are tamed; 'tranquil' means being in accord with concentration because of internal restraint; 'delusions removed' means that faith and mindfulness are in accord with wisdom because afflictions are severed; 'virtues increased' means that precepts, concentration, and wisdom are complete without deficiency; 'possessing vigor' means being indefatigable when benefiting others; 'rich in scriptural learning' means having heard much; 'awakened to reality' means understanding the true meaning; 'skilled in exposition' means being free of error; 'deep in compassion' means renouncing selfish expectations; 'free from regression' means being respectful at all times."