金光明最勝王經疏 2.317

2.317

贊曰：外供養，即三供養中是敬供養。以上微妙金寶，表修行久，如下練金喻是。云寶之華者，表猶在因，當可得果。寶幢者，表菩提智高，出二乘等故。寶蓋者，表四無量覆蔭群生，亦表聞此經能為勝因得勝果故。

Commentary: External offering is reverent offering among the three offerings. The exquisite gold and jewels symbolize long cultivation, like the simile of smelting gold below. Saying 'jeweled flowers' symbolizes still being in the cause, through which the fruit can later be obtained. The jeweled banners symbolize the loftiness of bodhi-wisdom, surpassing the two vehicles and others. The jeweled canopies symbolize the four immeasurables covering and sheltering all living beings, and also symbolize that hearing this sūtra can serve as a superior cause to attain superior fruits.