法苑珠林 92.17

92.17

Furthermore, the Dharmasaṃgīti-sūtra states: 'Śāriputra, you should now listen single-mindedly and well; I shall speak to you. If there is a bhikṣu who practices the Way single-mindedly, thousands of millions of heavenly deities will all share the same mind, wishing to provide him with all requisites for pleasure. Śāriputra, the offerings that humans make to a seated-meditation bhikṣu do not equal those of heavenly deities. Therefore, Śāriputra, do not worry or think that you will not be able to provide for yourself.' It also says: 'There may be a bhikṣu who, relying on my Dharma, goes forth from household life and receives the precepts, and within this Dharma strives with diligence and vigor. Although heavenly deities and humans may not take notice, as long as he is able to practice the Way single-mindedly with vigor, he will ultimately never have to worry about the necessities of food and clothing. Why is this? The Tathāgata's treasury of merit is immeasurable and hard to exhaust. Śāriputra, even if all worldly people together went forth from household life and practiced in accordance with the Dharma, they could not exhaust even one part in a hundred thousand million portions of [the merit of] the white hair between my eyebrows (ūrṇā-lakṣaṇa). Śāriputra, the Tathāgata has such immeasurable merit. Whatever food and drink and necessities bhikṣus receive will simply be sufficient as they are obtained. Śāriputra, therefore bhikṣus should think thus, and should not practice wrongful livelihoods and evil dharmas regarding necessary goods.'