法苑珠林 12.69

12.69

又問如來在世時。教勅優波離及我大迦葉入堂東寶樓。觀古佛毘尼及不同相。我欲結集。為依古佛說。為依今世尊教耶。答曰。我從世尊聞。以語大迦葉。若結集毘尼。當分五部相。往古諸佛所說毘尼。一相無二。今眾生薄福。故說多部。我滅度後。無智愚人。分我教網。以為五部十八部乃至五百部。雖味薄淡。仍是我正法。

He asked again, "When the Tathāgata was in the world, he instructed Upāli and me, Mahākāśyapa, to enter the jeweled pavilion east of the hall to view the Vinaya and the differing features of the ancient Buddhas. As I wish to compile [the canon], should it be based on what was expounded by the ancient Buddhas, or based on what is taught by the present World-Honoured One?" He replied, "I heard from the World-Honoured One, who told Mahākāśyapa: 'If you compile the Vinaya, you should divide it into five sections. The Vinaya expounded by the ancient Buddhas of the past was of a single form without dualism. Sentient beings today have meager merit; therefore, it is expounded in multiple divisions. After my parinirvāṇa, foolish people lacking wisdom will divide my net of teachings into five divisions, eighteen divisions, and even up to five hundred divisions. Though its flavor may be diluted, it is still my saddharma.'"