大方便佛報恩經 6.40

6.40

Answer: "It means taking refuge in the Buddhas of the three times, because the dharmakāya of the Buddhas is identical. Taking refuge in one Buddha is precisely [taking refuge in] all the Buddhas of the three times, because the Buddhas are not different. Some say: 'If one took refuge in the Buddhas of the three times, why do various devas proclaim of themselves: "I am a disciple of Kāśyapa Buddha," "I am a disciple of Krakucchanda Buddha," each among the seven Buddhas declaring: "I am the disciple of such-and-such a Buddha"? For this reason, one should properly take refuge only in one Buddha, not in the three times.' Others say: 'It should not be so. Why? As the Vaiśravaṇa Sūtra says: "King Vaiśravaṇa took refuge in the Triratna; he took refuge in the Buddhas of the past, future, and present." By this principle, one should take refuge in the Buddhas of the three times.'"