大般涅槃經義記 1.141

1.141

下正答之，先許說法、後許受供。何故與前請詞不次？良以純陀意專獻供，故先請受。佛意在法，故先說法。「我今為汝除斷貧窮」對上請中「唯願哀愍，除斷我貧」，由說得果，故斷貧窮，此明所去。「無上法雨雨汝身田」對上請中「唯悕法雨」，依前身、口七支授法名雨汝身，依前智慧良田授法名雨汝田。約喻名法是故名雨，由說起彼法身種子名生法芽。此明所與。許受供中，「汝今於我欲求壽」等，牒其所求，名前所求「將來之食為壽命」等。「我當說」下正許受供，由佛受供，令彼得果，是故云施。常田植福，得報不遷，是以言常。壽命、色等是其果體，現在施食能令受者得其壽命，色力安辯，五事利益，故於未來還得此果。

Below is the actual reply: first permitting the preaching of the Dharma, and next permitting the acceptance of the offering. Why is this not in the order of the previous petition's phrasing? Because Cunda's mind was focused on making the offering, he first requested acceptance. The Buddha's intention was on the Dharma, so he first speaks of the Dharma. 'I will now eradicate your poverty' corresponds to 'I only wish that in your pity you will eradicate my poverty' in the earlier request; because the fruit is attained through the preaching, poverty is eradicated; this clarifies what is removed. 'The supreme Dharma rain will rain down upon your bodily field' corresponds to 'only hoping for the Dharma rain' in the earlier request; granting the Dharma based on the earlier seven factors of body and speech is called raining down upon your body; granting the Dharma based on the earlier good field of wisdom is called raining down upon your field. Naming the Dharma after the metaphor, it is therefore called raining; because the preaching gives rise to the seeds of that dharmakāya, it is called producing sprouts of the Dharma. This clarifies what is given. In permitting the acceptance of the offering: 'Now, from me, you wish to seek longevity' etc. repeats what he seeks, designating what was previously sought as 'the future food for longevity' etc. From 'I shall explain' onward directly permits the acceptance of the offering; because the Buddha accepts the offering, he causes him to attain the fruit, and therefore it is called 'bestowing'. Planting merit in the eternal field, one attains an immutable retribution; therefore it is said to be 'eternal'. Longevity, physical form, and so forth are the substance of its fruit; presenting food in the present enables the recipient to obtain longevity, physical form, strength, ease, and eloquence—the five benefits; therefore in the future one also attains this fruit.