釋禪波羅蜜次第法門 9.37

9.37

Following after the nine notions, the eight recollections are taught in order to eliminate fear. As the sūtra teaches: 'The Buddha told the monks: If in an araṇya you have a frightened mind, you should at that time recollect the Buddha, and your terror will immediately cease; if you do not recollect the Buddha, you should recollect the Dharma, and your terror will immediately be removed; if you do not recollect the Dharma, you should recollect the Saṃgha, and your terror will immediately be removed.' Therefore we know that the three recollections were taught for the purpose of removing fear.