法苑珠林 23.97

23.97

時諸比丘取經中要略義味。而為化說不依次第。於時比丘慚愧恐怖。慮違經律具以白佛。於時佛告諸比丘言。我許隨便於諸經中擇取要義安比文句為人說法。但取中義莫壞經本。

At that time, the bhikṣus took the essential, abridged meanings and flavors from the sūtras and explained them to transform others without following the sequence. Thereupon the bhikṣus felt ashamed and fearful, worried that they were contravening the sūtras and Vinaya, and reported this in full to the Buddha. At that time, the Buddha addressed the bhikṣus, saying: “I permit you, as convenient, to select the essential meanings from the sūtras, arrange the phrases and sentences, and preach the Dharma for people. Just grasp the central meaning and do not corrupt the original text of the sūtra.”