諸經要集 3.40

3.40

述曰。依如西域。凡有士女既到伽藍。至寺門外慶以所遇。先整衣服總設一禮。入寺門已復設一拜。然後安庠直進。不得左右顧盻。故涅槃經云。往僧坊者有其七法。一者生信。二者禮拜。三者聽法。四者至心。五者思義。六者如說行。七者迴向大乘。利安多人住是七善。最勝最上不可譬喻。

The author states: According to [the custom in] the Western Regions, whenever men or women arrive at a saṅghārāma, having reached outside the monastery gate, they rejoice in what they have encountered. First, they tidy their clothes and make a general prostration. Having entered the monastery gate, they make another prostration. Then they advance straight forward with calm dignity, not looking to the left or right. Therefore, the Nirvāṇa-sūtra says: "There are seven practices for those who go to a monastery: first, generating faith; second, making prostrations; third, listening to the Dharma; fourth, utmost sincerity; fifth, contemplating the meaning; sixth, practicing according to what was taught; seventh, dedicating [the merit] to the Great Vehicle (Mahāyāna). Benefiting and bringing peace to many people, abiding in these seven virtues is supreme and unexcelled, beyond compare."