Extensive Records of Baizhang: "they should directly be taught to renunciate [to become a monk], to observe precepts, to practise meditation and to learn wisdom."

My translation of an excerpt from <Extensive Records of Baizhang>

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從九部教說向前。眾生無眼。須人雕琢。若於聾俗人前說。直須教渠出家持戒。修禪學惠。

Before they are exposed to the sayings of the nine divisions¹ of [Buddhist] teaching, sentient beings have no eyes² , thus they require someone to sculpt/educate them. Should one speak to worldly people who are deaf³ , they should directly be taught to renunciate [leave the household to become a monk], to observe precepts, to practise meditation and to learn wisdom.

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1. A common and popular way of categorizing Buddhist teaching is to divide it into three, which is what's known as the tri-pitaka (three baskets) - the vinaya pitaka (rules and regulations), the sutta pitaka (discourses of the Buddha), the abhidhamma pitaka (scholastic analysis and summary of buddha's teaching). But the tri-pitaka is not the only way of dividing and categorizing buddhist teachings. The teachings have also been categorized into nine divisions or twelve divisions. For those who are interested, https://www.budsas.org/ebud/whatbudbeliev/62.htm provides more info on the nine divisions.
2. According to Buddhism, sentient beings who have no eyes do not have the Right View.
3. Worldly people who are deaf refers to those who are ignorant of Buddha’s teaching, as per the nine divisions in this case.

Submitted May 24, 2019 at 07:57AM by chintokkong http://bit.ly/2M6GxyQ