諸經要集 3.85

3.85

Third, mindfulness of the Saṃgha: this refers to the four pairs and eight stages, the twelve worthy masters. Relinquishing worldly greed and disputation, they guide gods and humans; thus they are truly an excellent puṇyakṣetra for sentient beings. Formerly, there was a bhikṣu of meager merit named Brahmadatta (in the Vinaya named the bhikṣu Raśmi-upamā). Being among the assembly of one thousand two hundred and fifty, he caused the monks to receive no food, and no one knew whose fault it was. The Buddha had them divide into two groups: one group received [food], and one group did not. They divided again into two groups: half received, half did not. Proceeding in this manner until there were only two people, one received food and one did not; thus it was known that he lacked merit. Even when food reached his bowl, it would spontaneously disintegrate. The Buddha pitied his plight and personally placed food into his bowl with his own hand; constrained by the power of [the Buddha's] merit, it could not disintegrate. Because the Buddha wished to cause him to gain merit in his present life, he had two bhikṣus [who had attained the concentration] of cessation satisfy him with food, whereupon he immediately gained merit. At that time, King Prasenajit heard that the Buddha had pitied this man of meager merit and given him food, [and thought:] 'I should also establish merit for him now.' He immediately sent unhusked and polished rice. At that time a crow flew down, took a grain of rice in its beak, and flew away. The king's messenger scolded it, saying: 'The king is establishing merit for Brahmadatta; why do you carry it off?' The crow immediately brought it back to its original place. Why was this so? Because this bhikṣu was covered by the power of the Saṃgha's merit, birds and beasts would not harm or violate him. By this it is proven and known that they are an excellent puṇyakṣetra. Having crossed over themselves, they cross over others, leading them to the path of the three vehicles. Such is the meaning of the method of mindfulness of the Saṃgha.