法苑珠林 33.12

33.12

佛告天帝。九十六種道中佛道最尊。九十六種法中佛法最真。九十六種僧中佛僧最正。所以者何。由如來從阿僧祇劫發願誠諦。殞命積德誓為眾生。六度四等眾善普備。得慧成滿。三界天尊無能及者。其有眾生。發一敬心。向如來者。勝獲大千世界珍寶施矣。三十七品十二部經。分別罪福言皆至誠。開三乘教皆得奉行。聞者歡喜。樂作沙門。信佛行法。志尚清高。捨世貪諍導世間福。天人路通眾僧之由矣。是為最尊無上之道。

The Buddha told Śakra: "Among the ninety-six paths, the Buddha's Path is supreme; among the ninety-six doctrines, the Buddha's Dharma is the truest; among the ninety-six assemblies, the Buddha's Saṃgha is the most upright. Why is this? Because from asaṃkhyeya kalpas ago, the Tathāgata made sincere and truthful vows, laying down his life to accumulate merit, swearing [to do so] for the sake of sentient beings. The six pāramitās and the four immeasurables, all goods were universally perfected, and having attained wisdom, he brought it to full fruition. None among the heavenly lords of the tridhātu can equal him. If there be any sentient beings who produce a single thought of reverence directed toward the Tathāgata, it surpasses the dāna of the precious treasures of a great thousandfold world. The thirty-seven factors of enlightenment and the twelve divisions of scriptures discriminate between demerit and merit, and their words are entirely of the utmost truth. When he opens the teachings of the three vehicles, all are able to practice them. Those who hear them rejoice and delight in becoming śramaṇas; they believe in the Buddha and practice the Dharma, their aspirations pure and lofty; abandoning worldly greed and dispute, they guide the blessings of the world. The clearing of the path between devas and humans is solely due to the Saṃgha! This is the most revered, unsurpassed Way."