宋高僧傳 23.61

23.61

或曰：「義淨傳譯，重累再三，令勿然煉。伊人親遊西域，備熟方宜，至乎教乘，罔不詳究。不許毀傷，何邪？」對曰：「此專縛阿笈摩之教，安能沮壞摩訶衍法耶？設或略捨內財，決定當圓檀度，故《莊嚴論》云：『若能施自身命，則為希有。』成菩薩檀度也。」

Someone might say: 'Yijing's translations repeated time and again that one should not burn or sear oneself. That master personally traveled through the Western Regions and was thoroughly acquainted with local proprieties; as for the vehicles of the teaching, there was nothing he did not investigate in detail. If he did not permit self-mutilation, why is that?' I reply: 'This was confined exclusively to the teachings of the āgamas; how could it obstruct or invalidate the Mahāyāna Dharma? If one gives up even a little inner wealth, one will definitely consummate the perfection of generosity (dāna-pāramitā). Therefore the Alaṃkāra-śāstra states: "If one can give one's own body and life, that is exceedingly rare." It accomplishes the bodhisattva's perfection of generosity.'