四分律行事鈔資持記 2.937

2.937

明過中。破法身者，亦同《大集》，若打破戒，罪同出萬億佛身血；疏云：豈非形服異世，為聖道標；若加輕毀，則三寶通壞；故雖破戒，乃是法身之器。制罪雖輕，業道尤重。

In clarifying the transgression: damaging the Dharma-body is also like what the Mahāsaṃnipāta-sūtra says, that if one strikes one who has broken the precepts, the sin is the same as shedding the blood of myriad koṭis of Buddhas. The Commentary states: "Is it not that their appearance and robes differ from the worldly, serving as a sign of the noble path? If one subjects them to slight and slander, the Triratna is completely ruined; therefore, though they have broken the precepts, they are still vessels of the Dharma-body. Though the prohibited offense is light, the karmic course of action is exceptionally grave."