大般涅槃經疏 4.10

4.10

Fifth, from "Good son, the body of the Tathāgata..." onward answers the fifth objection regarding having the five fruits or lacking the five fruits. Cunda took the five virtues of offering food in the Tripiṭaka—life, complexion, strength, and ease—and spoke of the donor in turn obtaining five kinds of fruit and retribution. Now, hearing the Buddha say, "I in truth do not eat," the donor should also lack the fruit of the five things. The Buddha now answers this in terms of the fundamental ground of initial realization. For immeasurable kalpas I have neither accepted nor eaten, being ultimately pure; those of lesser conditions at first saw me receive the milk-gruel with my mouth, while those of great conditions at first saw me receive the radiance upon my crown; yet regarding the Dharma body, it is neither eating nor non-eating. Those of lesser conditions later saw me accept the dāna broth, while those of great conditions later saw me universally accept [the offerings of] the great assembly; yet regarding the Tathāgata, there is neither begging nor accepting. Therefore, the fruits and retributions of the initial and final offerings are equal and without distinction.