阿彌陀經通贊疏 1.28

1.28

As for the reason for speaking it: As expounded in the *Great Skill Sūtra* and others regarding its original circumstance, when the Buddha was approaching parinirvāṇa, the Buddha instructed that if there were any doubts, they should ask. At that time Upāli and Aniruddha instructed Ānanda to ask four questions: First, after the Buddha's parinirvāṇa, whom shall the monks take as their teacher? Second, relying upon what place shall they dwell? Third, how should evil-natured monks be punished? Fourth, what words should be placed at the head of all sūtras? The Buddha said: 'After my parinirvāṇa, take the prātimokṣa as your great teacher; calm and settle your minds relying on the four stations of mindfulness; punish evil-natured monks with the brahmadanda'—translated here as silence, meaning one should not beat or scold them, but simply ostracize them in silence—'and fourth, at the head of all sūtras you should place the words: "Thus have I heard" and so forth.' Later, when Ānanda compiled the teachings, he followed the Buddha's instruction.