四分律行事鈔資持記 3.594

3.594

三中，初科。三乘皆乞，由此正命，是聖種故；折我慢故，離諸惡故，修平等故，生物善故；令行檀度，起大行故；令生慈悲，下佛種故。極聖尚爾，況餘聖乎！三世十方皆爾，豈唯娑婆一化乎！嗟乎末法，五濁益深；我慢自高，略無正信。而乃奔馳世路，請謁門徒；折腰於村叟之前，諂笑於閻閭之下；或躬為商賈，或親執耕鋤；畢世營生，終身不足；自甘下劣，孰畏勤勞，可謂世間愚人之所輕慢。寧知清淨活命之妙術，自在解脫之法門；因中之供施無窮，果上之福田莫等；信是發行端緒，真為入道初階；既知萬劫難逢，勿使一生虛度。請遍尋大藏，深信佛言；竭力奉行，則真佛子矣。

In the third [part], the first section: [Practitioners of] the three vehicles all beg [for food] because this is correct livelihood and is the lineage of the noble ones; because it breaks self-conceit; because it leaves all evils behind; because it cultivates equality; because it generates goodness in sentient beings; because it causes them to practice the perfection of giving (dāna-pāramitā) and arouse great practice; and because it causes them to arouse loving-kindness and compassion and plant the seed of Buddhahood. If even the supreme sages are like this, how much more so the remaining sages! The three periods of time and the ten directions are all like this; how could it be limited solely to the single transformation in the Sahā [world]! Alas, in the Final Dharma age, the five turbidities grow ever deeper; self-conceit rises high, and there is scarcely any correct faith. Instead, people rush along worldly roads, seeking audience at the gates of households, bending the waist before village elders, and smiling flatteringly in the village lanes. Some personally engage in commerce; others personally wield the plow and hoe. Throughout their lives, they run after worldly livelihood, and to the end of their days, they are never satisfied. Content with their own base state, who fears toil? They may truly be called those despised by the foolish people of the world. How could they know the marvelous art of pure livelihood, the Dharma-door of unhindered liberation? In the causal stage, offerings and gifts are inexhaustible; in the resultant stage, the field of merit has no equal. Faith is truly the starting thread of practice, genuinely the first step for entering the Way. Having understood that it is difficult to encounter in ten thousand kalpas, do not allow a single lifetime to pass in vain. I beg you to search throughout the Great Canon and deeply believe the Buddha's words; to exhaust your strength in practicing them is to be a true son of the Buddha.