法苑珠林 20.59

20.59

The third explains presenting reverence. Therefore the vinaya says: 'One should single-mindedly join the palms of ten fingernails to make offerings to the Lion of the Śākyas.' Or it says: 'Crossing the hands to address the Buddha.' These all mean composing one's countenance and presenting reverence, restraining the mind so it does not wander. However, the impulses of the mind are hard to guard against; hence it is prescribed to join the palms and be single-minded. Nowadays, among those who pay homage to the Buddha, many join their fingers but not their palms, or their fingers are joined while their palms are open. This is truly due to arrogance of mind and dispersion of emotion. Better to open the fingers and join the palms than to join the fingers and open the palms. Hoping to seek blessings, one instead incurs the fault of arrogance. Once one knows the ritual of single-mindedly joining the palms, one must pay homage by casting the five limbs to the ground. Therefore the Dichi lun says: 'One should make homage with the five wheels touching the ground.'