四分比丘戒本疏 1.6

1.6

Second, as for the benefits of expounding and listening: first, to clarify the benefits of expounding, there are briefly two meanings: first, it is like seeing the Buddha in person. Hence the prātimokṣa sūtra says: 'Do not say that I have entered nirvāṇa, and that those of pure conduct have no protector. I now speak the prātimokṣa sūtra (the one fascicle of the prātimokṣa) and have also well expounded the vinaya (the great treasury of subjugation). Though I attain parinirvāṇa, you should regard them as the World-Honoured One.' A sūtra says: 'You should know that this is your Great Master.' Its intent is the same. Second, through it, afflictions are severed. That is, the prātimokṣa sūtra says: 'The seven Buddhas, as the World-Honoured Ones, eliminated all defilements. Having spoken these seven prātimokṣa sūtras, all bonds were liberated; having already entered into nirvāṇa, all proliferation was forever extinguished. Spoken by the revered Great Rṣi, praised by the sages and worthies, practiced by the disciples, they enter tranquil nirvāṇa.'