分別功德論 4.2

4.2

如來所以廣為四部各各說第一者，乃為將來末世遺法之中，或有四姓外學梵志及四部弟子共相是非，自稱為尊、餘人為卑。如是之輩不可稱計，故豫防於未然，故開自足之路耳。今稱拘隣為第一者，以其釋種豪族，王簡遣侍從勞苦，功報應敘是第一。又復初化受法，無能先者，亦是第一。善能勸導將養聖眾，先受善來之稱，復是第一。人中所歸仰，遮加越為最，光明之中日為最，星宿中月為最，萬川中海為最，四天王中提頭賴為最，三十三天中釋提桓為最，欲界六天中波旬以為最，色界十八天淨居以為最，九十六部僧釋僧以為最，九十六種道佛道為上最，拘隣比丘等五人中為最。以是言之，拘隣為第一。

The reason why the Tathāgata spoke at length of each being foremost among the four assemblies was because in the future, in the final age of the declining Dharma, there might be non-Buddhist brahmacārins of the four castes and disciples of the four assemblies who would contest with one another over right and wrong, proclaiming themselves noble and others lowly. People such as these would be beyond reckoning, and therefore he took precautions beforehand, thereby opening the path to self-sufficiency. Now, the reason Kauṇḍinya is declared foremost is that he was of the Śākya clan and a noble family; selected by the king to be sent as an attendant through hardships and toil, in the retribution for his merits he was duly placed foremost. Furthermore, when the Dharma was first taught and received, none could precede him; this also makes him foremost. Skilful at exhorting, guiding, and nurturing the noble assembly, he was the first to receive the greeting of 'Come, bhikṣu!'; this is yet again why he is foremost. Among what humans revere, the cakravartin is supreme; among luminaries, the sun is supreme; among the constellations, the moon is supreme; among the myriad rivers, the ocean is supreme; among the Four Heavenly Kings, Dhṛtarāṣṭra is supreme; among the Thirty-three Gods, Śakra is supreme; among the six heavens of the desire realm, Pāpīyas is supreme; among the eighteen heavens of the form realm, the Pure Abodes are supreme; among the ninety-six schools of the saṅgha, the Śākya saṅgha is supreme; among the ninety-six paths, the Buddha's path is the most supreme; and among the five men, the monk Kauṇḍinya is supreme. By this account, Kauṇḍinya is foremost.