法苑珠林 37.24

37.24

Furthermore, the Mahāsāṃghika-vinaya states: When first establishing a saṃghārāma, one must first measure and select a fine plot of land to be the place for building the stupa. It must not be in the south, nor in the west; it should be in the east or in the north. It must not encroach upon the Buddha's ground or the Saṃgha's ground. The monks' quarters should be built in the west or in the south. The Buddha stupa should be built on high and prominent ground. One must not wash, dye, or dry clothes, or spit on the ground within the stupa courtyard. One may make niches on the four sides of the Buddha stupa and make paintings of lions, birds, and beasts in various colors, and hang banners and canopies inside. One may plant various gardens, flowers, and fruits on all four sides of the Buddha stupa; the flowers produced therein should be offered to the stupa. If a tree was planted by a dānapati himself, and the dānapati says, "The flowers therein are to be offered to the Buddha, and the fruits given to the Saṃgha to eat," the Buddha said: "One should comply with the dānapati's words." If there are many flowers, one may give them to a garland-maker, saying to him, "Make me so many flowers into garlands, and give me so much value for the remainder." If one receives value, one may use it to light lamps and buy incense to make offerings to the Buddha, and one may also repair the stupa. If the value is abundant, it may be placed into the Buddha's inexhaustible property. If someone says, "The Buddha is free of greed, anger, and delusion; these are merely for self-adornment, and by using these flowers and fruits he enjoys pleasure," that person incurs heavy karmic retribution.