Samdhinirmocana-sutra

The Scripture on the Explication of Underlying Meaninginto doctrine and discipline over the attainments of the highestinsight of all heretics, and the regression that comes from its lackof cultivation, for regression comes from not cultivating [this doctrine]and does not refer to the fault of mistaken views."MafijusrI, 'discipline' refers to that doctrine about the preceptsand the states associated with these precepts that I haveexplained for word-hearers and bodhisattvas.""World-honored One, how many aspects are included in theprecepts of a bodhisattva?""Good son, you should understand that there are seven. Thefirst is instruction in the rules to be received. The second is instructionin the theme of the grave sins. The third is instruction inthe theme of the sins against discipline. The fourth is instructionin the nature of sin. The fifth is instruction in the nature ofsinlessness. The sixth is instruction in how to be delivered fromsin. The seventh is instruction in rejecting the code of discipline."Mafijusri, the matrix [of theory] refers to my doctrines onanalytical exposition, which [explain] eleven kinds of characteristics.They are [as follows]. The first are the characteristics ofworldly, conventional [meaning]. The second are the characteristicsof ultimate meaning. The third are the characteristics of the objectsthat are aids to awakening. The fourth are the characteristics of theaspects [of those aids]. The fifth are the characteristics of the essences[of those aids]. The sixth are the characteristics of the resultsof those [aids]. The seventh are the characteristics of theexplanations of the experiencing of those [aids]. The eighth are thecharacteristics of the things that obstruct those [aids]. The ninthare the characteristics of things which harmonize with those [aids].The tenth are the characteristics of defects in those [aids]. The eleventhare the characteristics of the excellences of those [aids]."Understand that the characteristics of worldly, conventional[meaning] are three in number. The first is instruction on persons.The second is instruction on the characteristics of clinging to whatis totally imagined. The third is instruction on the activity wherebyall things function.102