法苑珠林 17.63

17.63

As the Suvikrāntacintidevaputra-paripṛcchā-sūtra (Shengtianwang jing) says: If there is a place where a Dharma master circulates this scripture, that place is where the Tathāgata walks. Toward that Dharma master, one should give rise to the attitude of regarding them as a good spiritual friend and holding them in respect. Just as toward the Buddha, one should see this Dharma master with reverence, joy, respect, and praise. It also says: 'Even if I were to abide in the world for a kalpa or less than a kalpa to speak of the merits of a Dharma master who circulates this scripture, I could not exhaust them. Good sons and good daughters should prick their blood to sprinkle the ground so that dust does not rise wherever this Dharma master walks. Even making such offerings would not be considered excessive, because the Tathāgata's wheel of Dharma is difficult to receive and uphold.'