諸經要集 3.33

3.33

Furthermore, the Trapuṣa-sūtra states: The elder Trapuṣa addressed the Buddha, saying, 'Scattering flowers, burning incense, lighting lamps, and paying homage constitute making offerings. What kind of blessings does one obtain from circumambulating a stupa?' The Buddha said, 'Circumambulating a stupa has five blessings and virtues: first, in future lives, one obtains a handsome and upright physical appearance; second, one obtains a fine voice; third, one is born in the heavens; fourth, one is born into a royal or noble family; fifth, one attains the path of nirvāṇa. By what cause and condition does one obtain a handsome and upright appearance? Because of rejoicing upon seeing the Buddha image. By what cause does one obtain a fine voice? Because of chanting sūtras while circumambulating the stupa. By what cause is one born in the heavens? Because, while circumambulating the stupa, the mind does not violate the precepts. By what cause is one born into a royal or noble family? Because of bowing one's head and face to the Buddha's feet. By what cause does one attain the path of nirvāṇa? Because of the remaining blessings.' The Buddha said, 'Circumambulating a stupa has three rules: first, when lifting a foot, one should be mindful of lifting the foot; second, when lowering a foot, one should be mindful of lowering the foot; third, one must not look left and right, nor spit on the monastery grounds.' Circumambulating to the right (pradakṣiṇa) is regulated by the sūtras and vinaya as circumambulating clockwise. If one walks circumambulating to the left, one will be rebuked by the spirits, just as circumambulating a wheat stack counter-clockwise is reproached by worldly people and one's companions. Nowadays, practitioners follow the heavenly seasons, turning toward the northwest with the right shoulder bared toward the Buddha in reverence. Alternatively, circumambulating a hundred times, ten times, or seven times each has its symbolic meaning. To discuss the common practice of circumambulating three times: it symbolizes making offerings to the Three Venerable Ones, stopping the three poisons, purifying the three actions, eliminating the three evil paths, and being able to encounter the Triratna. As the verse in the Avataṃsaka-sūtra states: