【修持轨理 - 未修中间如何行者】

【一切之根本，应如所知，励力守护所受律仪。】

而在这个过程当中，最重要的「根本」是什么？这个要晓得的。根本就是我们所受的「律仪」。这个律仪就是我们所受的戒，要努力去守护。这个地方这个律仪，我们要认识，不是说我今天剃了这个头，具了这个形相，你真正受了律仪戒的话，它有律仪无作戒体，这样。它这个戒体自然而然，任运地能够产生防非止恶的功效，那东西不能坏。如果说保持的话，你在睡觉它也在增长功德，而且一切时处都在增长功德；一破坏了，这个功效就没有了。这是为什么定慧一定要建立在律仪戒上的根本原因。

来源 Source：

日常师父法语25A 13’56” 手抄稿第四册 P10L3

25A 13’56” Vol  4 of Master Jih-Chang’s Discourse P10L3
English Lamrim Vol 1 P101

【Meditation Session】
【What to do in between meditation sessions】

【By applying what you know, strive at whatever vow you have promised to observe, as this is the basis of everything. 】

In this process, what is the most important "basis"? We need to know this. The basis is the "vows" we observe. This vow is the ethical discipline we have taken. We need to strive to observe it, strive to observe it. The vow that is described here, we need to know that it does not just mean I have shaved my head and possess this appearance. Once you truly undertake the vows, there is a quintessence of the vows which is there even when you are not in action. Like that. The quintessence of the vows has the ability to naturally and spontaneously arise to prevent wrongdoings and stop non-virtue. That thing [i.e. quintessence of the vow] cannot be broken. If you are able to maintain it, then even when you are sleeping, it is still accumulating merit, and is accumulating merit at all times and places. Once it is broken, the effect is gone. This is the fundamental reason why meditative concentration and wisdom must be established on the vows of ethical discipline.