法苑珠林 62.26

62.26

若有祠祀誰是受者。隨其祠處而為受者。若近樹林則樹神受。舍河泉井上林埠阜亦復如是。是人祀已亦得福德。何以故。令彼受者生喜心故。是祀福德能護身財。若說殺生祠祀得福。是義不然。何以故。不見世人種伊蘭子生旃檀樹。斷眾生命而得福德。若欲祠者。當用香華乳酪酥果。為亡追福則有三時。春時正月。夏時五月。秋時九月。

"If a sacrificial offering is made, who receives it? Whichever belongs to the place of sacrifice is the recipient: if it is near a grove of trees, the tree spirit receives it; houses, rivers, springs, wells, upper forests, mounds, and hills are likewise. When this person has sacrificed, they also obtain blessings and merit. Why? Because they cause the recipient to give rise to a joyful mind. The merit of this sacrifice can protect one's body and wealth. If it is said that killing living beings to sacrifice brings merit, this meaning is not so. Why? One never sees worldly people plant eraṇḍa seeds and grow sandalwood trees. [So how could one] cut off the life of sentient beings and obtain merit? If one wishes to sacrifice, one should use incense, flowers, milk, curd, ghee, and fruit. There are three seasons for pursuing merit on behalf of the deceased: the spring in the first month, the summer in the fifth month, and the autumn in the ninth month."