大方便佛報恩經 6.56

6.56

Answer: "Because the conventional-truth Saṅgha is that upon which the ultimate-truth Saṅgha relies, he said: 'In the future there will be a Saṅgha; in it you should take refuge.' Furthermore, wishing to show respect to the conventional-truth Saṅgha, he spoke thus. The Buddha himself declared: 'Among all assemblies, the Buddha's assembly is foremost. Just as from milk comes curds, from curds comes butter, and from butter comes clarified butter (ghee), and clarified butter is the most supreme and wondrous among them, so too is the assembly of the Buddha's disciples.' If a monastic community gathers in this place, the four practicing toward the fruition and the four who have attained it are an unexcelled field of merit. Among all ninety-six kinds of religious groups, it is the most honored and supreme, unequaled by any; therefore, saying, 'In the future there will be a Saṅgha; in it you should take refuge,' does not compromise the correct meaning."