分別功德論 2.20

2.20

念法云何？法者謂無漏法、無欲法、道法、無為法也；從欲至無欲也。佛者諸法之主，法者結使之主。或問曰，法為在先？佛為在先？答：法在先。何以知之？經曰？法出諸佛、法生佛道。以是言之，法為在先。又曰：若然者，何以不先念法，而先念佛耶？答曰：法雖微妙，無能知者。猶若地中伏藏珍寶無處不有，而人貧困乏於資用。有神通人指示處所，得以自供濟於窮乏。或問曰：寶為勝耶？人為勝耶？曰：人勝也。何以言勝？伏藏雖多，非神通不覩；由人得資生，豈寶藏自貴於地中耶？法亦如是，理雖玄妙，非如來不辯、非世尊不暢、是以念佛在先，以法為次。

What is mindfulness of the Dharma (dharmānusmṛti)? The Dharma refers to anāsrava dharmas, desireless dharmas, dharmas of the path, and unconditioned (asaṃskṛta) dharmas; it is the going from desire to desirelessness. The Buddha is the master of all dharmas, and the Dharma is the master over the fetters. Someone asks: “Is the Dharma first, or is the Buddha first?” The answer is: “The Dharma is first.” How is this known? The sūtra says: “The Dharma produces the Buddhas; the Dharma gives birth to the path of the Buddhas.” Speaking from this, the Dharma is first. He asks again: “If that is so, why not be mindful of the Dharma first, rather than being mindful of the Buddha first?” The answer is: “Although the Dharma is subtle and wondrous, no one is able to know it. It is like precious treasures hidden beneath the earth that exist everywhere, yet people are impoverished and lack the resources for use. A person of spiritual power points out the location, enabling them to provide for themselves and be saved from poverty and lack.” Someone asks: “Is the treasure superior, or is the person superior?” The answer is: “The person is superior.” Why say he is superior? Although the hidden treasures are many, without spiritual power they cannot be seen; it is through the person that the resources for life are obtained—how could the treasure hoard beneath the earth be valuable of itself? The Dharma is also like this: although its principle is profound and subtle, without the Tathāgata it is not distinguished, and without the World-Honoured One it is not proclaimed. Therefore, mindfulness of the Buddha comes first, and the Dharma is next.