法苑珠林 23.96

23.96

Furthermore, the *Fo benxing jing* states: The Buddha addressed the bhikṣus: “From this day forth I institute a rule for my disciples: you must not invite those whose faculties are dull and obtuse or whose precepts are deficient and incomplete to explain the Dharma. From this day forward, if someone is invited to preach the Dharma, you should invite a person endowed with wondrous conduct, one who has accomplished superior practice among the assembly, who has extensive understanding of the sūtras, and who understands the Vinaya and understands the mātṛkā. You should select one whose words are distinct and who is fully endowed with eloquence to preach the Dharma. Such bhikṣus should be dispatched in succession starting from the lower seats to preach the Dharma for the assembly. If one becomes exhausted, invite a second. When the second is fatigued, invite a third. When the third is fatigued, invite a fourth. When the fourth is fatigued, invite a fifth; and so forth, as many as are capable of preaching the Dharma should be invited in turn to preach the Dharma for the assembly.” At that time, the multitude, seeing that this Dharma master was fully endowed with eloquence and able to expound the Dharma, immediately took incense and flowers and scattered them over him. Thereupon the bhikṣus would not accept that practice and gave rise to aversion. Why? Because the Buddha had forbidden it: those who have left the household are not allowed to hold ointment-incense, powdered incense, or various flower garlands. At that time, people heard and saw this, and reviled them, saying: “Such bhikṣus cannot even accept an offering such as this, much less something superior!” Then the bhikṣus went and reported this matter in full to the Buddha. At that time, the Buddha addressed the bhikṣus, saying: “O bhikṣus, if there are lay donors who, with joyful minds and for the sake of auspiciousness, bring various kinds of incense, flowers, ointment-incense, powdered incense, and flower garlands to scatter over the Dharma master, he ought to accept them.” These lay donors then brought various property, valuables, goods, kāṣāyas, and so forth to offer to the Dharma master. These bhikṣus, fearful and ashamed, would not accept those goods. The people of the world reviled and criticized them, saying: “These śramaṇas, these sons of the Śākya, cannot even accept such slight goods, much less superior ones!” At that time, when the bhikṣus heard this, they went and reported the matter in full to the Buddha. At that time, the Buddha addressed the bhikṣus, saying: “O bhikṣus, if laypeople bring various wealth, goods, kāṣāyas, and so forth to offer and give to a Dharma master, for the sake of [their] joy I permit their giving. If anyone has need of them, I permit him to receive and take them; if they are not needed, I permit them to be returned.”