[I]n the fifth month of 818, Saichō authored the first of a series of petitions to the court, the Rokujōshiki (Regulations in Six Articles):

Regulations For Tendai-Hokke Annually Allotted Students

What is the treasure of the nation? It is our religious nature. Thus those who have this religious nature are the treasures of the nation. Long ago a man said, “Ten large pearls do not constitute the nation’s treasure, but he who sheds his light over a corner of the country is the nation’s treasure.” A philosopher of old said, “He who can speak but not act is a teacher to the nation. He who can act but not speak is an asset to the nation. He who can both act and speak is a treasure to the nation. Aside from these three, he who can neither speak nor act is a traitor to the nation.”

Buddhists with religious minds are called bodhisattvas in the West, and gentlemen (chün tzu) in the East. They take the bad upon themselves in order to benefit others. This is the height of compassion.³⁴

Two types of Buddhist monks exist, the Hinayāna and the Mahāyāna. Buddhists with a religious nature are of the latter type. Today in Japan only Hinayāna monks are found ; Mahāyāna monks have not yet appeared. Mahāyāna teachings have not yet spread (in Japan); thus it is difficult for Mahāyāna practitioners to arise. I sincerely ask that in accordance with the late emperor’s wish, Tendai yearly ordinands be forever designated Mahāyāna practitioners and bodhisattva monks. Thus the nine (bad) monkeys of King Kṛki’s dream shall be chased away. Of the five vehicles specified by Mañjuśrī, (the numbers of) those who follow the latter three (the Mahāyāna ones) will increase. With this attitude and desire we shall strive to benefit those who live now and those who come after us throughout the endless eons.

Note 34: This phrase can be found in the seventh major precept of the Fan wang Ching which concerns praising oneself and slandering others or teaching another person to do so. ‘Taking the bad upon himself and turning the good towards others’ is the positive side of the precept. It describes the bodhisattva way.