諸經要集 5.76

5.76

Furthermore, the Ekottarika-āgama says: If there is a meal donor, holding the censer in hand, they announce that the time has arrived. The Buddha said: 'Incense is the messenger of the Buddha; therefore, one must burn incense to universally invite the ten directions.' (Knowing that burning incense is originally intended to invite the Buddha, but because ordinary people are obstructed from seeing with their eyes and do not know, the Buddha caused them to burn incense to universally invite all ordinary beings and sages of the ten directions to report the meritorious matter, soaring through the sky to arrive everywhere. When formally presenting incense and chanting hymns, all monastics and laity, relying on the Avataṃsaka-sūtra, each recite a verse, saying:)