大乘義章 12.77

12.77

第四門中明其次第。佛是究竟所學果德，故先念之。佛由法成，故次念法。法由人行方能到果，故次念僧。依前三寶發起修行，先離十惡，故次念戒。以戒破惡便能生善，故次行施。依戒依施，能得涅槃第一義天，故次念天。又依龍樹，佛是化主說法之人，故先念佛。依佛說法，故次念法。僧隨佛語能解能行，故次念僧。僧由戒成，故次念戒。以戒破惡便能行施，故次念施。以戒施故得二果報，所謂生天及生淨天，中品行者得其生天，增上行者得生淨天，故後念天。次第如是（此四門竟）。

The fourth portal clarifies their sequence. The Buddha is the ultimate fruit and quality of what is learned, and is therefore recollected first. The Buddha is accomplished through the Dharma, and therefore the Dharma is recollected next. The Dharma must be practiced by people in order to reach the fruit, and therefore the Saṅgha is recollected next. Generating practice based on the previous Three Jewels, one first abandons the ten unwholesome actions, and therefore the precepts are recollected next. Since by the precepts evil is destroyed and one can then generate good, one next practices giving. Based on precepts and based on giving, one is able to attain the devas of ultimate truth, which is nirvāṇa, and therefore devas are recollected next. Moreover, according to Nāgārjuna, the Buddha is the master of conversion who preaches the Dharma, and is therefore recollected first. The Dharma is preached relying on the Buddha, and is therefore recollected next. The Saṅgha follows the Buddha's words and is able to understand and practice, and is therefore recollected next. The Saṅgha is accomplished through the precepts, and therefore the precepts are recollected next. Since by the precepts evil is destroyed and one can then practice giving, giving is recollected next. Because of precepts and giving, one obtains two kinds of retribution, namely devas by birth and devas born pure; intermediate practitioners obtain birth as devas, and superior practitioners obtain birth as devas born pure; therefore devas are recollected last. The sequence is such. (This concludes the fourth portal.)