說無垢稱經疏 6.702

6.702

The Commentary says: This is encouraging. What the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas originally intended is to cause sentient beings to cultivate and practice Dharma practices so that they will transcend the world; therefore, Dharma-offerings surpass material offerings. Hence, the "Chapter of the Deva King Pravara" in the Mahāprajñāpāramitā-sūtra says: "A great treasure store that two persons leave behind and which kings and thieves cannot invade; having heard the Dharma with joy for hundreds of thousands of great kalpas, having heard it yet not upholding it, not bestowing it, and so forth. With the mind of great Bodhi protecting the True Dharma, cultivating offerings by practicing according to the teaching, with an impartial mind of self-benefit and benefiting others—this is called truly making offerings to the Buddha." Among all offerings, the Dharma-offering is supreme. Even secular texts say: "Although one slaughters three sacrificial animals daily to provide nourishment, if one goes against one's parents, it is still filial impiety." How much more so for transcending the world? The Buddha originally did not hope for material offerings. The Diamond Sūtra says: "Giving up one's body as many times as the sands of three Ganges rivers in a day is inferior to receiving and upholding four lines." Therefore, Dharma-offerings surpass material offerings immeasurably. Material things increase defilements, like the world being turned to dust; this [Dharma-offering] can eradicate evil, like the sun destroying darkness, so it cannot be matched by any metaphor.