大方便佛報恩經 6.28

6.28

Answer: "Because it is supreme; and because the Buddha alone enacted it. For example, in the Sūtras, disciples taught the Dharma; sometimes, like Śakra Devānām Indra, one himself taught that giving is foremost. Why? 'Because of giving, I was able to become a king of devas and have my wishes fulfilled as I desired'—and the Buddha confirmed it as such. Sometimes the Buddha manifested an apparitional Buddha, and the apparitional Buddha taught the Dharma. The Vinaya is not like this: it was all taught by the Buddha, and therefore it places the Buddha at the beginning. Furthermore, in the Sūtras, matters were resolved anywhere; the Vinaya is not like this. If an issue occurred inside a house, it could not be settled immediately there, but had to be done outside. If an issue arose concerning laypeople, it had to be settled in the Saṅgha. If an issue arose in a village, it was also settled in the Saṅgha. If an issue arose concerning the five assemblies, it had to be settled in the presence of the bhikṣus and bhikṣuṇīs. Therefore it places the Buddha at the beginning. As for Vaiśālī: some countries are named after a king, some are named after the land, and some are designated by a city. This country is designated after a nāga. The Kalanda village is named after a bird. It is also said: 'The village chief was named Sudinna because his parents petitioned spirits and deities and obtained him; hence he was called "Sought and Obtained."' Regarding 'wealthy and noble': wealth is of two kinds: first, living beings; second, non-living beings. Non-living beings means having abundant gold, silver, the seven jewels, storehouses of wealth and silks, and fields and houses. Living beings means male and female slaves, servants, elephants, horses, cattle, and sheep, as well as villages and fiefdoms; hence it is called 'wealthy.' 'Noble' means either being the lord of a fief, or possessing fine virtue and being revered by people; hence it is called 'noble.' Taking refuge in the Triratna and receiving the rules of the three refuges."