分別功德論 2.18

2.18

Regarding “The Buddha addressed the monks”: Why did he not address the laymen and laywomen, but addressed only the monks? Among the four assemblies, the monks are the foremost; furthermore, they are the leaders in crushing evil, cutting off all defilements (āsrava) by means of anāsrava dharmas. For this reason, he addressed them first. A monk (bhikṣu) is also called a śramaṇa. A śramaṇa is one whose mind has attained rest, having put to rest and removed desires, remaining tranquil and without attachment. He is also called “dispeller of famine”: worldly people suffer from a famine of sensual desire; the monk eliminates this hungry notion of desire and famine. When the World-Honoured One preaches the Dharma, the monks are able to receive it, severing birth and death to reach the gate of nirvāṇa. It is for this reason that he addressed the monks.