法苑珠林 23.96

23.96

又佛本行經云。佛告諸比丘。從今日制諸弟子。不得請於諸根闇鈍及以缺漏戒不具者而說其法。從今以後若請說法。應請妙行具足之人於諸眾內勝行成就多解修多羅及解毘尼解摩登伽人。應選擇文字分明具足辯才者說法。是等比丘從下座次第差遣為眾說法。若一乏者更請第二。第二疲乏應請第三。第三疲乏應請第四。第四疲乏應請第五。乃至若干堪說法者。次第應請為眾說法。爾時眾人見彼法師辯才具足能演說法。即持香華而散其上。時諸比丘不受其法而生厭離。何以故。以佛斷故。出家之人不得將持塗香粖香及諸香鬘。時諸人輩聞見此事毀呰說言。是等比丘。如是供養尚不堪受。況復勝者。時諸比丘以如是事具往白佛。爾時佛告諸比丘言。汝諸比丘。若有諸白衣檀越。以歡喜心。以吉祥故。持種種香華塗香粖香及諸華鬘散法師上者。應當受之。是白衣諸檀越等。遂將種種資財寶。物及袈裟等供養法師。是諸比丘恐懼慚愧不受彼物。世諸人輩毀呰談說。是輩沙門諸釋子等。若干輕物尚不堪受。況復勝者。爾時諸比丘聞是事已具往白佛。爾時佛告諸比丘言。汝諸比丘。若有俗人持諸財物及袈裟等奉施法師。為歡喜故我許捨施。若有須者聽其受取。若不須者我許送還。

Furthermore, the *Fo benxing jing* states: The Buddha addressed the bhikṣus: “From this day forth I institute a rule for my disciples: you must not invite those whose faculties are dull and obtuse or whose precepts are deficient and incomplete to explain the Dharma. From this day forward, if someone is invited to preach the Dharma, you should invite a person endowed with wondrous conduct, one who has accomplished superior practice among the assembly, who has extensive understanding of the sūtras, and who understands the Vinaya and understands the mātṛkā. You should select one whose words are distinct and who is fully endowed with eloquence to preach the Dharma. Such bhikṣus should be dispatched in succession starting from the lower seats to preach the Dharma for the assembly. If one becomes exhausted, invite a second. When the second is fatigued, invite a third. When the third is fatigued, invite a fourth. When the fourth is fatigued, invite a fifth; and so forth, as many as are capable of preaching the Dharma should be invited in turn to preach the Dharma for the assembly.” At that time, the multitude, seeing that this Dharma master was fully endowed with eloquence and able to expound the Dharma, immediately took incense and flowers and scattered them over him. Thereupon the bhikṣus would not accept that practice and gave rise to aversion. Why? Because the Buddha had forbidden it: those who have left the household are not allowed to hold ointment-incense, powdered incense, or various flower garlands. At that time, people heard and saw this, and reviled them, saying: “Such bhikṣus cannot even accept an offering such as this, much less something superior!” Then the bhikṣus went and reported this matter in full to the Buddha. At that time, the Buddha addressed the bhikṣus, saying: “O bhikṣus, if there are lay donors who, with joyful minds and for the sake of auspiciousness, bring various kinds of incense, flowers, ointment-incense, powdered incense, and flower garlands to scatter over the Dharma master, he ought to accept them.” These lay donors then brought various property, valuables, goods, kāṣāyas, and so forth to offer to the Dharma master. These bhikṣus, fearful and ashamed, would not accept those goods. The people of the world reviled and criticized them, saying: “These śramaṇas, these sons of the Śākya, cannot even accept such slight goods, much less superior ones!” At that time, when the bhikṣus heard this, they went and reported the matter in full to the Buddha. At that time, the Buddha addressed the bhikṣus, saying: “O bhikṣus, if laypeople bring various wealth, goods, kāṣāyas, and so forth to offer and give to a Dharma master, for the sake of [their] joy I permit their giving. If anyone has need of them, I permit him to receive and take them; if they are not needed, I permit them to be returned.”