法苑珠林 35.66

35.66

Furthermore, the Mahāsāṃghika-vinaya says: The Buddha said: 'From this day forward, I permit the lighting of lamps. When lighting, one should set the fire to one side and light them gradually in succession. One should first illuminate the golden spire and the Buddha's images. After first paying homage, one should go out and next light the other places. When extinguishing them, one must not extinguish them abruptly; one should announce, "Venerables, I wish to extinguish the lamps." It is not permitted to blow them out with the mouth (The commentary says: Because there are fire-eating insects, fearing that the person's breath might harm the insects, blowing with the mouth is not permitted). It is permitted to fan them out with the hand or with clothing. When clipping the burnt wick-head, when taking it in, one must not take it in abruptly; one should call out, "Venerables, the lamp is about to enter," only then may one take it in. If it is not done like this, one violates the rules of deportment.' Furthermore, the Three Thousand Rules of Deportment says: 'Lighting a lamp has five matters: first, one should hold a clean cloth and wipe the inside and outside to make it clean; second, one should make clean wicks; third, one should make sesame oil oneself; fourth, when putting in the oil, one must not let it overflow, nor let it be too little; fifth, one should protect it so that it is secure and not suspended in a way that obstructs the path of people.' Furthermore, the Five Hundred Questions says: 'Continuing the Buddha's light, it must not be extinguished during the day. The Buddha has no light or darkness; because originally there was no word for it, remembering the set limit, extinguishing it brings guilt.' Furthermore, Master Prabhākaramitra, the Tripiṭaka master of the Great Tang, said: 'When there is no place to take light before the Buddha, if one takes it from the side with something without damaging the light, it is permissible.' The verse says: