諸經要集 8.83

8.83

佛告天帝。九十六種道中佛道最尊。九十六種法中佛法最真。九十六種僧中佛僧最正。所以者何。由如來從阿僧祇劫。發願誠諦殞命積德。誓為眾生。六度四等眾善普備。得慧成滿。三界天尊無能及者。其有眾生。發一敬心向如來者。勝獲大千世界珍寶施矣。三十七品。十二部經。分別罪福言皆至誠。開三乘教皆得奉行。聞者歡喜樂作沙門。信佛行法。志尚清高。捨世貪諍。導世間福。天人路通眾僧之由矣。是為最尊無上之道。

The Buddha told the Lord of the Devas: "Among the ninety-six paths, the Buddha's path is the most exalted. Among the ninety-six teachings, the Buddha's Dharma is the truest. Among the ninety-six saṃghas, the Buddha's saṃgha is the most correct. Why is this? Because the Tathāgata, across asaṃkhyeya-kalpas, made sincere and truthful vows, laid down his life to amass virtue, and vowed for the sake of sentient beings to fully possess the six pāramitās, the four immeasurables, and all good deeds, perfecting and consummating wisdom so that none among the devas and exalted beings of the three realms could equal him. If there are sentient beings who produce a single thought of reverence toward the Tathāgata, it surpasses the giving of the precious gems of a great thousandfold world. The thirty-seven factors of awakening and the twelve divisions of scripture analyze transgressions and merits, and their words are all most sincere. They open up the teachings of the three vehicles so that all may practice them. Those who hear them rejoice and delight in becoming śramaṇas; they have faith in the Buddha, practice the Dharma, their aspirations are pure and lofty, they renounce worldly greed and contention, and guide worldly merit. That the path between devas and humans is kept open is due to the saṃgha. This is the most exalted and unexcelled path."