法苑珠林 34.21

34.21

第二念法者。法是無漏道無為無欲。佛者是諸法之主。法者是結使之主。法出諸佛。法生佛道。若然者。何不先念法後念佛耶。答曰。法雖微妙無能知者。猶若伏藏無處不有。要藉通人示處。方得自濟窮乏。法亦如是。理雖玄妙非如來不暢。是以念佛在先。稱法為後。

Second, 'mindfulness of the Dharma': The Dharma is the path of no outflows, unconditioned and free of desire. The Buddha is the lord of all dharmas; the Dharma is the master over the fetters. The Dharma brings forth all Buddhas; the Dharma gives birth to the path of the Buddhas. If so, why is one not first mindful of the Dharma and afterwards mindful of the Buddha? The answer is: Although the Dharma is subtle and profound, no one is able to know it; it is like a hidden treasure that exists everywhere, yet one must rely on an expert guide to point out its location before one can relieve one's poverty. The Dharma is also like this: although its principle is profound, without the Tathāgata it cannot be revealed. Therefore, mindfulness of the Buddha comes first, and proclaiming the Dharma comes afterwards.